DPReview.com is closing April 10th - Find out more

Canon 400mm f/5.6L. My impressions

Started Nov 7, 2010 | Discussions
Daniel Chui Senior Member • Posts: 2,731
Re: Canon 400mm f/5.6L comparred to 500mm f4 L IS... my impressions
1

Hi 40D_Dane,

I just wanted to say your website is a treasure trove of information. As an inspiring wildlife photographer I think I will learn a lot by exploring your suggestions and tips. También veo que Ud. es de España - viví durante un año en Madrid y fue una experiencia vital que me cambió la vida. ¡Gracias de nuevo por toda la información!

-- hide signature --
Belgarchi Senior Member • Posts: 2,704
Re: Canon 400mm f/5.6L. My impressions

It is not a 'great' lens, it is a fantastic, exceptional lens on tripod or handheld with a high shutter speed. Well, my sample is anyway. On APS-C 40MP (adapted on Fuji X-T5).

As most modern cameras will give you excellent image quality at 1600 ISO or some at 3200 ISO, and the 400/5.6 L is perfect at full aperture, I am a little bit puzzled by your disappointment.

 Belgarchi's gear list:Belgarchi's gear list
Leica D-Lux 7 Olympus PEN-F Olympus E-M5 III Fujifilm X-T5 Canon EF 35mm F2.0 +101 more
Trevor Sowers
Trevor Sowers Senior Member • Posts: 1,605
Re: Canon 400mm f/5.6L. My impressions

Belgarchi wrote:

It is not a 'great' lens, it is a fantastic, exceptional lens on tripod or handheld with a high shutter speed. Well, my sample is anyway. On APS-C 40MP (adapted on Fuji X-T5).

As most modern cameras will give you excellent image quality at 1600 ISO or some at 3200 ISO, and the 400/5.6 L is perfect at full aperture, I am a little bit puzzled by your disappointment.

I'm also puzzled but its a 13 year old thread LOL.

I own both the 135 f/2 and the 400 f/5.6 and the 400 is definitely sharper.

-- hide signature --
 Trevor Sowers's gear list:Trevor Sowers's gear list
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EOS Rebel SL2 Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM Canon EF 35mm F1.4L USM +21 more
Belgarchi Senior Member • Posts: 2,704
Re: Canon 400mm f/5.6L. My impressions

Trevor Sowers wrote:

Belgarchi wrote:

It is not a 'great' lens, it is a fantastic, exceptional lens on tripod or handheld with a high shutter speed. Well, my sample is anyway. On APS-C 40MP (adapted on Fuji X-T5).

As most modern cameras will give you excellent image quality at 1600 ISO or some at 3200 ISO, and the 400/5.6 L is perfect at full aperture, I am a little bit puzzled by your disappointment.

I'm also puzzled but its a 13 year old thread LOL.

Oups! That explains the concerns about the f/5.6 aperture, digital cameras were not good above something like 800 ISO back then.

I own both the 135 f/2 and the 400 f/5.6 and the 400 is definitely sharper.

Good to know, thanks. I have the Samyang 135/2.0 and thought about buying the Canon 135/2.0 L to have autofocus, but more I read about them, more it looks like the image quality of the Samyang is better.

 Belgarchi's gear list:Belgarchi's gear list
Leica D-Lux 7 Olympus PEN-F Olympus E-M5 III Fujifilm X-T5 Canon EF 35mm F2.0 +101 more
Trevor Sowers
Trevor Sowers Senior Member • Posts: 1,605
Re: Canon 400mm f/5.6L. My impressions
1

Belgarchi wrote:

Trevor Sowers wrote:

Belgarchi wrote:

It is not a 'great' lens, it is a fantastic, exceptional lens on tripod or handheld with a high shutter speed. Well, my sample is anyway. On APS-C 40MP (adapted on Fuji X-T5).

As most modern cameras will give you excellent image quality at 1600 ISO or some at 3200 ISO, and the 400/5.6 L is perfect at full aperture, I am a little bit puzzled by your disappointment.

I'm also puzzled but its a 13 year old thread LOL.

Oups! That explains the concerns about the f/5.6 aperture, digital cameras were not good above something like 800 ISO back then.

I own both the 135 f/2 and the 400 f/5.6 and the 400 is definitely sharper.

Good to know, thanks. I have the Samyang 135/2.0 and thought about buying the Canon 135/2.0 L to have autofocus, but more I read about them, more it looks like the image quality of the Samyang is better.

Depends how you define image quality.  Personally the sharper lens isn't always the "better" lens IMO.  I absolutely love the look of the images from my 135 and I adore the images from my 50L which is also not a particularly sharp lens.  I use my 400 mostly for Birds so I do like sharpness for that purpose.

-- hide signature --
 Trevor Sowers's gear list:Trevor Sowers's gear list
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EOS Rebel SL2 Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM Canon EF 35mm F1.4L USM +21 more
Belgarchi Senior Member • Posts: 2,704
Re: Canon 400mm f/5.6L. My impressions

Trevor Sowers wrote:

Belgarchi wrote:

Trevor Sowers wrote:

Belgarchi wrote:

It is not a 'great' lens, it is a fantastic, exceptional lens on tripod or handheld with a high shutter speed. Well, my sample is anyway. On APS-C 40MP (adapted on Fuji X-T5).

As most modern cameras will give you excellent image quality at 1600 ISO or some at 3200 ISO, and the 400/5.6 L is perfect at full aperture, I am a little bit puzzled by your disappointment.

I'm also puzzled but its a 13 year old thread LOL.

Oups! That explains the concerns about the f/5.6 aperture, digital cameras were not good above something like 800 ISO back then.

I own both the 135 f/2 and the 400 f/5.6 and the 400 is definitely sharper.

Good to know, thanks. I have the Samyang 135/2.0 and thought about buying the Canon 135/2.0 L to have autofocus, but more I read about them, more it looks like the image quality of the Samyang is better.

Depends how you define image quality. Personally the sharper lens isn't always the "better" lens IMO. I absolutely love the look of the images from my 135 and I adore the images from my 50L which is also not a particularly sharp lens. I use my 400 mostly for Birds so I do like sharpness for that purpose.

Except for photos of people and the rare night shot in a city, I like sharp.

For wildlife, landscape, architecture, macro.....

 Belgarchi's gear list:Belgarchi's gear list
Leica D-Lux 7 Olympus PEN-F Olympus E-M5 III Fujifilm X-T5 Canon EF 35mm F2.0 +101 more
Keyboard shortcuts:
FForum MMy threads