When you think of a super telephoto lens, especially one with a wide f/4 aperture, a few words come to mind: big, heavy, and expensive. The Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM ($6,899) is smaller than your average 400mm lens, and relatively light, but it certainly isn't a budget choice. It's easy to carry all day, and its optical quality is simply impeccable. While it's pricey, it earns our Editors' Choice based on its performance. If you can live with a narrower aperture, you can opt for a zoom like the excellent Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM ($2,199.00 at Adorama) instead, but an f/4 lens adds some versatility, including the ability to take advantage of teleconverter lenses. Design When compared with other super telephoto primes, the EF 400mm f/4 DO ($6,899.00 at Amazon) is relatively light at just 4.6 pounds, and small at 9.2 by 5.0 inches (HD). For comparison, the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM ($9,999) tips the scales at 8.5 pounds and measures 13.5 by 6.4 inches, while Cano...
The Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM lens delivers near-perfect optical performance, and is priced accordingly.
Impeccable optics; Relatively compact and light design; Superb build quality; Rotating tripod collar; Rear filter system; Includes hard case
Very expensive