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.

Getting the Canon 400 5.6L raised the quality expectation I had of camera lenses, immediately getting rid of the three I already had which now didn't seem up to the job. The choice was between this and the Canon 100-400mm and don't regret buying this as I've only once found I would have liked to...

VERY sharp; light; fast focus; use with converter; lightweight; quality build

None

I bought this lens from amazon to use with my 30D primarily for wildlife,bird protography. I was absolutely impressed how sharp the pictures came out from this combo of my 30D + 400 f/5.6 lens. I went to the SF zoo one day, took pictures of the birds that were on display from about 12-15 feet.

ultra sharp autofocus; very light; hand holdable; in-built retractable hood; L series; tack sharp images; fine glass; comes with tripod mount,sexy white color

f/5.6 is a bit small for low light; autofocus hunts in low light; not a 500mm lens :

The EF 400mm f/5.6L was compared to the EF 300mm f/4L with the EF 1.4X and resolution data on a 400mm f/5.6L with the EF 1.4X was determined.

Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM is one of three 400mm primes Canon currently offers in its lineup of super telephoto lenses. This is the slowest 400mm prime, as well as the most affordable among the trio of 400mm Canon primes, priced at ~US$1,100 (as of October 2008).

For the price it is top amongst its rivals.

Excellent image quality

Would be even better with Image Stabalization

Brilliant optics, tack sharp wide open with aps-c , razor sharp on FF !! Wish canon had added IS to it to compensate for the slow aperture.

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...

Innan jag köpte den här gluggen så läste jag allt som fanns istort sett och alla berömde den. Det jag läste var sant. Jag har inte en gång varit missnöjd med den utan allt är bara kanon. Funderade länge på en 100-400 L och lyckades låna en för en stund.

Skärpan; lätt och smidigt; oerhört snabb autofokus

inga som jag märkt

A good entry level bird/wildlife lens. Takes a bit of practice to get sharp shots handheld.

Well made; Sharp; Not too heavy for a 400, but not exactly light either; Good value; Works pretty well with the 1.4x extender; Fast autofocus

It could really use IS