Melville, NY—Canon redesigned two L-series premium super-telephoto lenses. The new EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM and EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM both offer a dramatic weight reduction. As a result, the lenses are easier to transport to capture action-driven scenarios, such as sports and wildlife.
Both lenses also hold the title of “world’s lightest in their respective focal length,” Canon announced. The weight of the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM and EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM lenses was reduced by 2.2 pounds (more than 25%) and 1.9 pounds (more than 20%), respectively.
“When developing updates to some of Canon’s most popular legacy lenses, one common question that is asked by photographers was ‘can they be lighter?’” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon USA, Inc. “The significant reduction of weight in these two lenses addresses this customer need and delivers thoughtfully designed, high-quality optics.”
The lenses are aimed at advanced and professional photographers shooting wildlife, aviation, sports and news. They are compatible with Canon’s new EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera via the use of one of the three new Canon mount adapters. In addition, they work with the EOS 1D and 5D series of DSLR cameras.
In addition, both feature two of Canon’s proprietary lens technologies: Air Sphere Coating (ASC) and Super Spectra Coating (SSC). This helps to reduce flaring and ghosting, as well as suppress the reflection of light. Moreover, the updated lenses inherit the overall build quality and rugged build of Canon EF L-series lenses.
The minimum focusing distance was improved for both lenses; from 8.8 to 8.2 feet for the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM and from 14.8 to 13.8 feet for the EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM.
Other Features of the Redesigned Super-Telephoto Lenses
The two super-telephoto lenses also offer an upgraded optical image stabilization (IS) system from 3.5 stops to 5 shutter speed stops of correction over the previous f/2.8 lens and an improved, flexible focus control with a customizable electronic-focus ring. In addition, the new models utilize two fluorite lenses and one super UD (ultra-low dispersion) lens to help provide high image quality.
Additional features include: a circular nine-blade aperture; 17 lens elements in 13 groups; and a heat-shielding paint that helps prevent lens temperature from rising during excessive exposure to the sun. Rounding out the features are a fluorine coating on front and rear optical elements to reduce smears and fingerprints. Also, they employ an inner focusing system with a ring ultrasonic motor for quiet, fast and precise focusing.
The Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM ships in December 2018. It has a retail price of $11,999.
The Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM will also reach retail in December. It has an SRP of $12,999.
