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Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM Review

Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM

Main Features

  • 100-400mm Focal Range
  • F4.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 77mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 1590g.
  • Diameter: 94mm
  • Length: 193mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.98m
  • Max Magnification:0.31x
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Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM Overview

Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM is an Auto Focus (AF) Super Telephoto Zoom lens with 35mm FF max sensor coverage and it is designed to be used with Canon EF mount cameras.

Canon replaced the older Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM with this model. Follow the link to read our detailed comparison of these models:
Compare Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM vs Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM


Lenses in Canon EF Mount with Same Focal and Aperture Range
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 1380gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM is a member of Canon's EF L series of lenses. Below you can see the latest lenses in this series.

EF L Series Lenses in Canon EF Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon EF 400mm F2.8L IS III USM Lens Canon EF 400mm F2.8L IS III USM
Compare
35mm FF 2840gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM Lens Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM
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35mm FF 3050gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 70-200 F2.8L IS III USM Lens Canon EF 70-200 F2.8L IS III USM
Compare
35mm FF 1440gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 70-200 F4L IS II USM Lens Canon EF 70-200 F4L IS II USM
Compare
35mm FF 780gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon TS-E 90mm F2.8L Macro Lens Canon TS-E 90mm F2.8L Macro
Compare
35mm FF 915gr MF Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mount

Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM is compatible with cameras that have Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Canon 1D X III, Canon 6D MII and Canon 5D MIV.

Focal Range

Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM has a focal range of 100-400mm and 4.0X zoom ratio. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 160 - 640mm.

Teleconverter Compatibility

Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM is compatible with the Teleconverter lenses below:

  • Canon Extender EF 2X III for EF-Mount
  • Canon Extender EF 1.4X III for EF-Mount


Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM Focal Range and Aperture Change with Teleconverter
Model Coverage with TC Aperture with TC Street Price
Canon Extender EF 2X III Lens Canon Extender EF 2X III 200 - 800mm F9 - 11.2 Amazon B&H Photo
Canon Extender EF 1.4X III Lens Canon Extender EF 1.4X III 140 - 560mm F6.3 - 7.84 Amazon B&H Photo

Weather Sealings

Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM is a weather sealed lens which provides an extra protection to prevent water and dust get inside the lens and camera body under light rain, snow and wind. In order to have an effective protection, you have to pair the Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM with a weather sealed camera body such as Canon 1D X III, Canon 6D MII and Canon 5D MIV.

Optical Image Stabilization

Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting.

Zoom Method

Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM features Rotary (extending) zoom method where the length of the lens changes as you zoom in or out. This makes it possible to design the lens with a smaller minimum length ( generally when it is zoomed out) compared to internal zoom lenses. The disadvantages of this design are being harder to seal against dust and moisture, weight balance shifting while zooming and zoom creep in certain lenses.

Zoom Lock

Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM has a Zoom lock feature which eliminates Zoom creep where focal length of the lens changes with gravity when it's held downwards or upwards.

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.31x and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.98m. For a non-macro lens, the 0.31x is considered a high magnification and will come handy for close-up shots.

Aperture

Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM is a variable aperture lens with a max aperture of f4.5 and a minimum aperture of f at 100mm, and a max aperture of f5.6 and minimum aperture of f at 400mm .

Optical Formula

Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM's optical formula consists of 21 elements in 16 groups . Following special elements are used in this design:

  • Air Sphere
  • fluorine coatings; Super ED element

Lens Hood

Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos. The model number of the hood is ET-38D.

Body Colour

Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM is available in White color.

Popular Comparisons of Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM

Here is the eight most popular comparisons of Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 1380gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
Compare
35mm FF 1160gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 100-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di VC USD Lens Tamron 100-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di VC USD
Compare
35mm FF 1135gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6L IS USM Lens Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 1050gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 1365gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 70-200 F2.8L IS III USM Lens Canon EF 70-200 F2.8L IS III USM
Compare
35mm FF 1440gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8L IS II USM Lens Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8L IS II USM
Compare
35mm FF 1490gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM Lens Sigma 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM
Compare
35mm FF 1640gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

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**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Pros and Cons of Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM


PROs
Image Stabilization
Weather Sealed
Built-in Autofocus
Hood supplied
Tripod Collar
Full-time Manual Focusing
Focus Distance Limiter
Zoom Lock
Covers Full-Frame Sensor

CONs
Lens Extents while focusing
Slow Aperture at Wide end
Slow Aperture at Tele end
Variable Aperture
Heavy
Pricey
Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM Alternatives in Canon EF Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 1380gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tokina AT-X 80-400mm f4.5-5.6 Lens Tokina AT-X 80-400mm f4.5-5.6
Compare
35mm FF 1020gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
Compare
35mm FF 1160gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM Lens Sigma 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM
Compare
35mm FF 1640gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 100-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di VC USD Lens Tamron 100-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di VC USD
Compare
35mm FF 1135gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Canon
Lens Type Zoom
Lens Type Telephoto Zoom
Lens Mount Canon EF
Max Format 35mm FF
Focal Range 100-400mm
Image Stabilization Yes
Colour White
Zoom Method Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No
Zoom Lock Yes
Zoom Ratio 4.0X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F4.5 - F5.6
Min Aperture
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 9
Optics
Optical Elements 21
Optical Groups 16
Special Elements Air Sphere, fluorine coatings; Super ED element

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 0.98m
Max Magnification 0.31X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal
Focus Distance Limiter Yes
Distance Scale Yes
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 1590g
Diameter 94mm
Length 193mm
Materials Magnesium
Weather Sealing Yes
Filter Thread 77mm
Filter Notes -
Hood Supplied Yes
Hood Code ET-38D
Tripod Collar Yes
Report a Correction
Frequently Asked Questions about Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM
is the Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM a Weather Sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM
is the Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM
Does Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM have Image Stabilization?
Does Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM
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