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Author Topic: New Canon 400 & 600 lenses  (Read 1573 times)

phila

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New Canon 400 & 600 lenses
« on: September 05, 2018, 06:05:43 am »

Amongst all the R/RF hoopla, the EF400f2.8L IS III and EF600f4L IS III were announced. The headlines? Both about 1kg lighter than the Mk II versions. Very a much appreciated feature to those of us who have cause to lug one (or more!) of these attached to 1D bodies around race tracks all day.

BernardLanguillier

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Re: New Canon 400 & 600 lenses
« Reply #1 on: September 05, 2018, 06:13:13 am »

I personally find that to be a more significant announcement that the R camera and lenses.

Just like the new Sony 400mm f2.8, going below 3kg for a 400mm f2.8 makes it possible to use it handheld a bit more often which does make a difference.

Now it's Nikon's turn to follow, but I guess they will need a couple of years...

Cheers,
Bernard

D White

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Re: New Canon 400 & 600 lenses
« Reply #2 on: September 05, 2018, 11:55:14 am »

I currently use the 600II, 400II, and 300II. They are already stunningly sharp even with the 2x.

What troubles me is that the released MTF data on the III's appears to offer less resolution, not more, over the II range. Pay more get less?

The other question is of course performance on the upcoming mirrorless future.

Makes me wonder about a Sony A9 and their new 400f2.8
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BernardLanguillier

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Re: New Canon 400 & 600 lenses
« Reply #3 on: September 05, 2018, 05:10:09 pm »

They have apparently chosen to sacrifice a bit of performance in favour of weight savings.

They know that most serious users (pros in particular) shoot these on monopods anyway, so the target may be elsewhere.

Because frankly speaking a 400mm f2.8 at 3kg isn’t hand holdable for long anyway, just like a 300mm f2.8 isn’t.

Cheers,
Bernard

Bernard ODonovan

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Re: New Canon 400 & 600 lenses
« Reply #4 on: September 05, 2018, 05:33:02 pm »

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Rado

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Re: New Canon 400 & 600 lenses
« Reply #5 on: September 05, 2018, 05:38:27 pm »

So these new lenses are focus by wire? Does that bother people? I have no experience with ultra telephotos and if they are used with manual focus much at all.
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Bernard ODonovan

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Re: New Canon 400 & 600 lenses
« Reply #6 on: September 05, 2018, 05:58:13 pm »

So these new lenses are focus by wire? Does that bother people? I have no experience with ultra telephotos and if they are used with manual focus much at all.

Some telephoto lenses can have short throw manual focus. The benefit of focus by wire on that type of lens is you can adjust the response as mentioned in the video...

For more sedate shooting with wide lenses a nice manual long throw focus is nice. You don't need sporty short throw. If you ever did you are out if luck as it is fixed response...

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BernardLanguillier

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Re: New Canon 400 & 600 lenses
« Reply #7 on: September 05, 2018, 06:23:04 pm »

So these new lenses are focus by wire? Does that bother people? I have no experience with ultra telephotos and if they are used with manual focus much at all.

These lenses are used with AF 99.9% of the time.

It is simply impossible to focus realiably a super tele on a moving subject with manual focus.

Cheers,
Bernard

Bernard ODonovan

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Re: New Canon 400 & 600 lenses
« Reply #8 on: September 05, 2018, 09:13:23 pm »

600 II



600 III



400 II



400 III

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BernardLanguillier

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Re: New Canon 400 & 600 lenses
« Reply #9 on: September 05, 2018, 10:32:19 pm »

That would be very hard to tell appart in the real world.

Both II and III are outstanding.

Cheers,
Bernard

NancyP

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Re: New Canon 400 & 600 lenses
« Reply #10 on: September 06, 2018, 11:14:28 am »

Who knows how the lenses will perform in real life? These are calculated MTFs. Major questions will be, how do the new lenses perform with teleconverters, and how good is the balance? The optical design on the 400 f/2.8 III is much more balanced than that of the v. II lens, which is front-heavy.

I am waiting to see prices and for copies to show up in rental houses.
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faberryman

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Re: New Canon 400 & 600 lenses
« Reply #11 on: September 06, 2018, 11:39:35 am »

Both II and III are outstanding.
The IIIs haven't even been released yet and no one has tested them. It is unlikely they are dogs, but no one really knows. Won't stop Canon fanboys from praising them. By they way, B&H lists them for $11,999 and $12,999 respectively.
« Last Edit: September 06, 2018, 11:43:16 am by faberryman »
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BernardLanguillier

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Re: New Canon 400 & 600 lenses
« Reply #12 on: September 06, 2018, 07:45:08 pm »

The IIIs haven't even been released yet and no one has tested them. It is unlikely they are dogs, but no one really knows. Won't stop Canon fanboys from praising them. By they way, B&H lists them for $11,999 and $12,999 respectively.

There is really no reason to think that these lenses won't be excellent.

Fanboyism has nothing to do with this.

Cheers,
Bernard

nemophoto

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Re: New Canon 400 & 600 lenses
« Reply #13 on: September 10, 2018, 10:08:51 pm »

So these new lenses are focus by wire? Does that bother people? I have no experience with ultra telephotos and if they are used with manual focus much at all.


A number of Canon's lens have featured focus by wire including the 50/1.2, 85/1.2 and the 300/2.8. (I actually believe my old 300/2.8 1st Gen had it, but I'm a little hazy now.) The benefits are actually huge, especially with large lens. Think of it as driving an SUV with and without power steering. It's a bear to steer without it. (I've own some old pickup trucks. It's how I kept my arms strong for shooting! LOL) It also provides for smoother focusing and tracking if you manually focus.
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Rado

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Re: New Canon 400 & 600 lenses
« Reply #14 on: September 11, 2018, 05:13:34 am »


A number of Canon's lens have featured focus by wire including the 50/1.2, 85/1.2 and the 300/2.8. (I actually believe my old 300/2.8 1st Gen had it, but I'm a little hazy now.) The benefits are actually huge, especially with large lens. Think of it as driving an SUV with and without power steering. It's a bear to steer without it. (I've own some old pickup trucks. It's how I kept my arms strong for shooting! LOL) It also provides for smoother focusing and tracking if you manually focus.
I'm familiar with the 50/1.2 and the 85/1.2 and manually focusing either one sucks. That why I asked if it bothered telephoto users. I've already read some reactions from mark II owners that focus by wire gives them a good reason to not upgrade to mark III (besides mark II being optically excellent already).
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