Canon EF 200 - 400 f4 +1.4x
puzzledpaul
Registered Users Posts: 1,621 Major grins
Seems like it's more of a reality than a myth ...
I'm considering ordering two ... always good to have a spare
pp
http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/news/unique_telephoto_zoom_available.do?utm_source=newsletter_may_2_13&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter
http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/yourspace/newsletter/newsletter_teaser_may_2013.do?utm_source=newsalert-may-2-uk-2013&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsalert
I'm considering ordering two ... always good to have a spare
pp
http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/news/unique_telephoto_zoom_available.do?utm_source=newsletter_may_2_13&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter
http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/yourspace/newsletter/newsletter_teaser_may_2013.do?utm_source=newsalert-may-2-uk-2013&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsalert
0
Comments
Seriously, this lens costs almost as much as a Nikon 70-200 2.8, 200-400 f/4, a 2X TC and a D4... I'm just saying. Or heck, you could buy TWO Sigma 120-200 2.8's and 2X TC's, plus a D4! :-P
The funny thing is, anybody who was ever tempted by the Nikon 20-400 f/4 VR, well, they probably ALREADY switched cause they got tired of waiting. *coughcough*
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
I'd love to have kit like a 1Dx + later generation big teles for the cam's high iso performance and extra IS capability provided by the newer lenses (4 v 2 stops)
Possibly because we get murky weather / light on a regular basis, I'm used to being out in same ... and often prefer the results over brighter conditions ... but when having to deal with such an exposure situation, anything extra the gear can provide would be most welcome.
Obviously not suggesting that (mortals like me) having such kit would necessarily improve the end result -but it'd be nice to have a few extra stops (and better AF) at one's disposal sometimes
pp
Flickr
Closer to the price point, a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM (MSRP: $12,999.00) rents for $90/day (in a 4-day rental).
I have no doubt that the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x is going to be a wildly popular rental item among sports and wildlife photographers.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Since last July I've clocked nearly 900miles on the bicycle I use for travelling to my local venue - minimum round trip 5.5ml, max 8 (depending which part I visit)
My 500 has been part of my gear on each and every trip.
I've no doubt that renting either / both a 1Dx + 200-400 (or other similar gear) would convince me that they're great bits of kit ... but it'd go no further than that, for obvious reasons (and I don't even do the lottery)
pp
Flickr
nice lens, expensive price !
Indeed - but way out of my pocket (I was jesting, of course )
(UK prices even higher than $/£ conversion as well ...)
However, whilst I accept AR's comments about 'composition control' offered by using a zoom, as an amateur, I'm less stressed by instances where I've missed a shot because the subject has come too close for the 500 I generally use.
Since I visit a local venue on a regular basis, I'll just have another go sometime - not as if I've shelled out mega£ on some trip / got a deadline to meet ... I'm just after a half reasonable pic, whatever the subject.
Also, considering the degree of 'pilot error' usually present, I'd probably zoom it the wrong way ... not a problem one has with a prime
Then there's the fact of only having approx 10% extra reach ... but losing a stop.
pp
Flickr
An "accurate" reproduction of a scene and a good photograph are often two different things.
pp
http://www.wexphotographic.com/search/?q=canon%20ef200%20400%20f4
Flickr
Link to my Smugmug site
I really love his conclusion:
In short, I think that Canon has really hit a home run with the 200-400mm. Combined with amazing high ISO performance of the EOS-1D X camera, this lens becomes a real “go anywhere, shoot anything” piece of gear for both sports and wildlife photographers.
Say what! I'm sure Peter is a great guy and fine photographer, but lets get real. While I can't argue with what he wrote. While casually writing that this is a great combo, as if it were a vacation travel kit for grandpa, he totally ignores the fact tat this real "go anywhere" camera and lens combo is $18,000. Plus tax, license and dealer prep of course.
I could be a lot poorer than I think I am but even in my wildest fantasies I can't see me owning even just the lens.
While this is certainly a technical marvel, for most of photographic humanity this is a non event.
Sam
A former sports shooter
Follow me at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bjurasz/
My Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mercphoto?ref=hdr_shop_menu
Link to my Smugmug site
Richard,
Just for the record I am not "all worked up" about the price. You seriously don't want to see me "all worked up".
These were simply my first thoughts. Medium format I understand, marvel at and dismiss, but this damn lens is made to fit on my camera, yet the only way one will ever be attached to my camera is if the UPS guy mistakenly drops one off on the porch and then disappears in a vat of lye. :D:D
Sam
This lens is quie expensive, but consider its cost, versus owning a 200 f2.8 L prime, a 300 f4 L prime, a 400 f4 prime, and a 500mm f5.6. More likely it will replace a 300 f2.8 and a 400 f4 DO, and a 500 f4 for some wildlife shooters. For better or worse, it costs considerably less than the combination of an EOS 300 f2.8 IS L II, a 400 f4 IS DO, and 500 f4 IS L . Quite a bit less, I suspect. And will be smaller to carry than those three lenses, and easier to schlep through airports. And from reports, optically just a good as the primes. If true, that is remarkable.
Not having to open the camera lens interface to install the TC will be worth quite a bit on a dusty safari. I hope we see more of this combination in the future from Canon.
Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
It's a little hard to find exact prices for past items but, thanks to the Internet Archives, I was able to locate past pricing for the Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM on the B&H page for April 1999. They sold that lens for the very real 1999 price of $1699.00USD.
http://tinyurl.com/pwpxzee
(ziggy edit for correct URL)
Plugging in $1699.00 to a CPI calculator, and adjusting for inflation between 1999 and 2013, I get $2,371.37.
http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl?cost1=1699.00&year1=1999&year2=2013
B&H has the very same lens currently selling for $1,499.00 (after a $200 "Instant Savings", which I believe is at least partly available due to Canon adjusted dealer cost.)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/162616-USA/Canon_2577A002AA_100_400mm_f_4_5_5_6L_IS_USM.html
The difference is $872.37 (adjusted 1999 price minus current selling price).
Yes, Canon lenses really do seem to become more affordable after time.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
http://stockcharts.com/freecharts/historical/spx1960.html
Link to my Smugmug site
A former sports shooter
Follow me at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bjurasz/
My Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mercphoto?ref=hdr_shop_menu
To which I simply replied:
It was an honest question. I was simply interested in hearing your basis for saying the price would drop.
Link to my Smugmug site
In addition to the occasional "adjustment" incentive, which manufacturers offer to dealers in order to either stimulate sales or adjust the manufacturer's inventories, manufacturers also offer dealers a more considerable pricing reduction during a new product rollout which replaces an older product. This allows the dealers to liquidate their own old inventories with less capital loss.
The last thing a dealer wants is to get stuck with old inventory of a product the public views as "obsolete", so the manufacturers help them out a bit. It turns out that this final price reduction benefits the end user as well.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Portfolio • Workshops • Facebook • Twitter