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tested canon ef 200-400 f4 extender 1.4

Started Sep 6, 2014 | User reviews
yuyucheu
yuyucheu Regular Member • Posts: 209
tested canon ef 200-400 f4 extender 1.4
1

this is very expansive lens. after test fell it's very so-so. please see photos. how do you think. it's $12000 lens.

canon 200-400mm f4 extender 1.4x lens. this is 1x focal length 200mm.

canon 200-400mm f4 extender 1.4 lens. this is 1.4x focal length 280mm.

this is 1x focal length 400mm

this is 1.4x focal length 560mm

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Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x
Telephoto zoom lens • Canon EF • 5176B002
Announced: May 14, 2013
yuyucheu's score
2.5
Average community score
3.6
rebel99 Veteran Member • Posts: 4,025
Re: tested canon ef 200-400 f4 extender 1.4
1

yes, i was looking for lens to suit my purpose, which is birding. i looked at this lens and opted for 600mm f4.0II. although this is a resilient lens for other purposes because of being a tele, but it is too much money for such short lens including built in1.4x i am very happy with my canon 600mm f4.0II.

cheerz.

yuyucheu
OP yuyucheu Regular Member • Posts: 209
Re: tested canon ef 200-400 f4 extender 1.4

Thanks view my thread. The testing is at a photo expro. This is very good experience. I tested a lot of different lens from Canon stand. That include tested Canon extender 2x iii. It's said it auto focus may not working. I tried it with my 70-200mm f2.8 mark ii. It's all good.

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Blake Cook
Blake Cook Veteran Member • Posts: 3,129
Re: tested canon ef 200-400 f4 extender 1.4
5

I'm not surprised you don't think much of the lens, if you use it for photos like these.  They hardly come close to displaying its qualities. Particularly at the shutter speeds you used.

I have the 600 MkII and have tested the 200-400. There is little to choose between them IMO.

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Blake in Vancouver
Canon and Zeiss Stuff. Mac Stuff & annoying PC & Windows stuff.

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Paolo1957 New Member • Posts: 5
Re: tested canon ef 200-400 f4 extender 1.4

I have found the 200-400L at 400mm (wide open) rivals my canon primes; slightly less so with extender engaged.

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Blake Cook
Blake Cook Veteran Member • Posts: 3,129
Re: tested canon ef 200-400 f4 extender 1.4

Paolo1957 wrote:

I have found the 200-400L at 400mm (wide open) rivals my canon primes; slightly less so with extender engaged.

Yup, and the OP's photos displaying the lens' inadequacies do not in any way display its true abilities.

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Blake in Vancouver
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Howard S Senior Member • Posts: 2,212
Re: tested canon ef 200-400 f4 extender 1.4

yuyucheu wrote:

Thanks view my thread. The testing is at a photo expro. This is very good experience. I tested a lot of different lens from Canon stand. That include tested Canon extender 2x iii. It's said it auto focus may not working. I tried it with my 70-200mm f2.8 mark ii. It's all good.

so were these through a window? why use the extender with the lens at 200mm?

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Donald Chin
Donald Chin Veteran Member • Posts: 5,757
It depends on how you use it...

certainly it isn't in the same league as 400/2.8 II, but it's the top choice for sports/PJs.

Wide open @ 200mm

Wide open @ 400mm

Wide open @ 560mm

expro Senior Member • Posts: 2,274
Re: It depends on how you use it...

That would be my only complaint - just not enough separation

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Donald Chin
Donald Chin Veteran Member • Posts: 5,757
Re: It depends on how you use it...

expro wrote:

That would be my only complaint - just not enough separation

Yes, and that's why we still need our 200/2, 300/2.8, 400/2.8, 500/4 & 600/4. 

joger
joger Veteran Member • Posts: 7,513
Re: tested canon ef 200-400 f4 extender 1.4

yuyucheu wrote:

this is very expansive lens. after test fell it's very so-so. please see photos. how do you think. it's $12000 lens.

exactly my point of view - you can almost buy two primes in that range or add 1.4x and 2x teleconverters if needed.

From my perspective the primes from 200 to 600 mm - especially the type II are worth every penny - but the zooms still don't touch the quality - even though the quality of the 200-400 1.4x has reached a level no other lens in this zoom range has - but then you're confronted with a heavy construction - lots of things to consider.

I would not buy the 200-400 1.4x - in fact I bought the 300 II

Suits more my needs and is much lighter and smaller - the 400 DO II might be an option to take into consideration

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