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Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM w/Ext 1.4x DXO Review and Findings

ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 23,878 moderator
edited June 26, 2013 in Cameras
DXO has finally finished their review of the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x zoom lens.

Review:
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Publications/DxOMark-Reviews/Canon-EF-200-400mm-f-4-IS-USM-Extender-1.4X-review-does-the-performance-justify-the-price

Findings:
Teleconverter out/(off):
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Lenses/Camera-Lens-Database/Canon/Canon-EF-200-400mm-F4L-IS-USM-Extender-14x/(camera)/795

Teleconverter in/(on):
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Lenses/Camera-Lens-Database/Canon/Canon-EF-200-400mm-F4L-IS-USM-Extender-14x-ON/(camera)/795
ziggy53
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums

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    mercphotomercphoto Registered Users Posts: 4,550 Major grins
    edited June 26, 2013
    I know the go-to lens for Football and Soccer is the 400/2.8, and the to-to lens for motorsports is the 500/4. What I'm wondering is if the shooting pros would rather have this one lens, and get some versatility in the ability to shoot at a range of focal lengths, or stick with the primes? Either of those primes is about as expensive as this zoom is.
    Bill Jurasz - Mercury Photography - Cedar Park, TX
    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
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    ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 23,878 moderator
    edited June 26, 2013
    DPReview has some image samples and additional insight:

    http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/canon-ef-200-400mm-4-1p4x
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
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    ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 23,878 moderator
    edited June 26, 2013
    mercphoto wrote: »
    I know the go-to lens for Football and Soccer is the 400/2.8, and the to-to lens for motorsports is the 500/4. What I'm wondering is if the shooting pros would rather have this one lens, and get some versatility in the ability to shoot at a range of focal lengths, or stick with the primes? Either of those primes is about as expensive as this zoom is.

    I must believe that lenses such as the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM w/Ext 1.4x will mean "rental" more than "ownership" to most independent professionals who will use it. This simply isn't a lens that any individual needs on a very regular basis. (They may "want" it on a regular basis, but that's a separate issue.)

    On the other hand, I can see certain organizations owning a copy or two, just to insure availability and quality control for their top-tier in-house and contract shooters.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
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    mercphotomercphoto Registered Users Posts: 4,550 Major grins
    edited June 26, 2013
    Understood Ziggy. I'm just wondering, for the type of photographer that owns a 500/4 lens, would they rather have this instead, given the costs are relatively identical. I'm talking about the people who really do own lenses like this (Thawley, Wheeler, etc.), if given the chance buy again, would they still buy the prime, or opt for this zoom?
    Bill Jurasz - Mercury Photography - Cedar Park, TX
    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
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    pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,698 moderator
    edited June 26, 2013
    I just looked at the price of the 500 f4 IS L, I did not realize they were this close in price. In the last 5-10 years, several of Canon's long primes have almost doubled in price. Wow!!

    I suspect if the image quality is comparable ( and I suspect that it is ) then some folks will definitely opt for the versatility of the 200-400 over the 500 prime, in spite of the price.
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
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