Canon 400mm f/2.8 L USM worth it?

Manfr3d

Hi there!

I am looking to buy my first super tele and came across a 1800 USD offer
for a Canon 400mm f/2.8 L non-IS with 1 year limited warranty.
The lens is cosmeticaly challanged but otherwise in fine working order.

Since I know very little about the big guns, I was hoping that someone
here could give me an advice regarding this lens. Initialy I was looking
for a used Sigma 500mm f/4.5 but the 400 has f2.8 AND is cheaper.

Oh, and I'll be shooting with monopod and 1.4x extender most of the time
(sports and wildlife). Weight is not an issue.

mercphoto

Manfr3d wrote:

Hi there!

I am looking to buy my first super tele and came across a 1800 USD offer
for a Canon 400mm f/2.8 L non-IS with 1 year limited warranty.
The lens is cosmeticaly challanged but otherwise in fine working order.

Since I know very little about the big guns, I was hoping that someone
here could give me an advice regarding this lens. Initialy I was looking
for a used Sigma 500mm f/4.5 but the 400 has f2.8 AND is cheaper.

Oh, and I'll be shooting with monopod and 1.4x extender most of the time
(sports and wildlife). Weight is not an issue.

I know the current generation of that lens is considered absolutely stellar, as are most of Canon's very fast super telephoto prime lenses. I think going with the Sigma instead of the Canon would be a mistake.

ziggy53

It appears that the Canon 400mm, f2.8L (non-IS) came in at least 2 major versions. The second version has a "II" marking on the lens designation.

The first version is slower to focus than either the second version or the current "IS" version. There is also some talk about the second version being sharper, but that's probably mostly in the corners. The original version is still an excellent optic and that's a very good price. I am not sure if Canon still repairs the original version, so it might be worth a call to Canon to make sure (just so you know). It would be better if you have return privileges, just in case the lens is not up to your expectations.

Manfr3d

Thanks for the info. The lens was a beast and we discovered a loose metal
part inside the barel while testing it out at the shop ... they're sending it in
for repair now.

It seems that Canon has outsourced the work to smaller companies which
are specialised to repair old lenses and have a good stock of old parts.

kdog

Good luck with that. It should be an amazing lens. Let us know how you make out.

borrowlenses.com

The only fly in the ointment is the lack of IS. That's a big disadvantage on a lens that heavy but again -- it's 1/3rd the cost of the newer version probably so if you can get sharp shots with it then it'll be a good deal most likely.