Canon classifies the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens as a "Super Telephoto" lens. It is super in image and build quality , but is not super in size . The 400 f/5.6 is relatively light in weight but very solidly built . It feels long and narrow in your hand - and feels even lighter than it is.

For whatever reason the manufacturers are only offering few "affordable" tele prime lenses today. The Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 USM L is the last of its species (slow speed 400mm) that it marketed today - there used to be a Pentax FA* 400mm f/5.6 and a Minolta AF 400mm f/4.5 APO but these are history...

Just purchased this lens and have spent time out birding. I've used it with and without an EF Extender 1.4x, and both hand-held and on a solid tripod. I'm very pleased: without the extender you can (with large hands and steady arms) shoot hand-held for quite a while.

Never liked the EF 300 MM F4.0, the EF 100-400 mm was already better. But the 400 MM F5.6L surprised me. The IQ is very very good. For a short time I have had the EF 400 F2.8 ISL. The IQ of that lens is out of this world, as is the weight. You need a truck to get where you want to take your photo's.

Light; build-in hood; very nice IQ; nice Bokeh; cheap; 800 euro for a second hand

No IS; F5.6 with extenders makes it F8.0

I've only used it for a couple of days but it seems to be in just as good a condition as advertised. No scratches, no visible damage. Works great. Good stuff. Fun fact. I chose the seller with the best lens picture.

I am an extremely satisfied user of Canon 400 mm F 5.6 EFL lens. I have used this lens with variopus Canon bodies like Canon EOS 1RS, EOS 1N, EOS 3, EOS 1DS mark II, EOS 5D. I have had wonderful experience with all these bodies with excellent sharpness in the center of the frame.

Outstanding sharpness; well controlled flare characteristics; very little lateral colour; Minimal drop in sharpness with the 1.4 X EF teleconverter

lack of USM; I guess that is about it

This is more lens you get for your money. Sharp wide open and hand holdable. If for birding (BIF), this lens can not be beat except for those by $$$$$.

Durable; Fast / accurate auto-focus; Hand Holdable; Lightweight; Nice Bokeh; Rugged; Sharp wide open; Strong Construction; You will not miss IS

NONE

Wow was I surprised on my first shoot with this lens. I had a Great Blue Heron fly directly at me and not having my tripod on though that the pictures would turn out shaky but the were crisp and clear. A very nice lens and focus is very quick and without any hesitation.

My previous 100-400mm L IS USM lens seemed to produce shots which lacked sharpness, particularly noticeable in reduced fine feather detail when photographing birds. This 400mm f5.6 prime lens is much crisper and gives much improved results.

Lightweight; Quick Focus; Sharp Focus; Strong Construction

No Image Stabilisation

I was looking at purchasing the Canon 100-400mm zoom then convinced myself I would be mainly using it at the 400mm end so why waste money when you can buy the Canon 400mm f5.6L for half the price Received my lens just over a week ago and have not used it much beyond the wildlife in my garden.