Canon EF400mm f/2.8L USM

• Specifications
• Reviews
• Sample Images
• Initial launch information.

The original long white 400mm. Still a good performer, but without the refinements (coatings, IS) of later models. Still likely to be expensive if found used, so careful checking needed (few spare parts are available any more).

Available from: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | B&H | Adorama

Lens specifications

Focal Length & Maximum Aperture	400mm 1:2.8
Lens Construction	11 elements in 9 groups
Minimum Aperture	32
Maximum Magnification	x0.11
Closest Focusing Distance	4m
Filter Size	48mm
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight	167 x 348mm, 6,450g

All the 400mm lenses

Canon EF 400mm
Attribute	f/2.8 USM	f/2.8 II USM	f/2.8 IS USM	f/2.8 IS II USM	f/2.8 IS III USM	f/4 DO IS USM	f/5.6 USM	f/4 DO IS II USM
Key features
Full-frame compatible	Yes
Image stabilizer	No		Yes				No	Yes
Ultrasonic Motor	Yes
L-series	Yes
Diffractive Optics	No					Yes	No	Yes
Technical data
Aperture (max-min)	f/2.8-f/32					f/4-f/32	f/5.6-f/32	f/4-f/32
Construction	9 groups / 11 elements		13 groups / 17 elements				6 groups / 7 elements	12 groups /18 elements
Aperture blades	8			9		8		9
Closest focusing distance	4m		3m	2.7m	2.5m	3.5m		3.3m
Max. magnification	0.11x		0.15x	0.17x		0.12x	0.11x	0.13x
Diagonal viewing angle	6 °
Physical data
Weight	13.44 lb / 6.1 kg	13.03 lb / 5.91 kg	11.83 lb / 5.37 kg	8.48 lb / 3.85 kg	6.26 lb / 2.84 kg	4.27 lb / 1.94 kg	2.8 lb / 1.25 kg	2.1 kg
Maximum diameter	6.57" / 167mm		6.41" / 163mm			5.03" / 128mm	3.54" / 90mm/	5.04" /128mm
Length	13.70" / 348mm		13.74" / 349mm	13.50" / 343mm		9.16" / 232.7mm	10.09" / 256.5mm	9.16" / 232.7mm
Filter diameter	48mm		52mm drop-in filter				77mm	52mm drop-in
Accessories
Lens hood	ET-161B II		ET-155	ET-155 (WII)	ET-155 (WIII)	ET-120	Built-in	ET120 (WII)
Case			400	400C	400E	400B		400D
Retail information
Release date	April 1991	March 1996	Sept. 1999	Aug. 2011	Sept. 2018	Dec. 2001	May 1993	Sept. 2014

EF400mm f/2.8L USM reviews and articles

• Canon UK / US Information Page
• Wikipedia article
• Amazon
• Northlight Images
• Canon CPN article
• Fred Miranda
• Lens Tip
• Digital Picture
• PhotoZone
• SLR Gear
• Lens Review
• ePhotozine

Written a review? Contact us and we'll add it to the list.

Sample images

None available.

Product launch

No information available on the 1991 launch of this lens.