CANON EF 400mm f4.0 DO IS USM advice

[RaptorRon]

I currently own a 40D and 400mm f5.6 combo. I use it for walk about and BIF shots,and am very happy. I was given the 400 DO to use over the weekend, I must say even in the hands of a novice this lens is awesome (my opinion of course). My problem is I have been offered the lens for £2700 it is in mint condition 1 year old. It is serious money, but is it worth the change. All advice welcome.
Ron

[willforrest]

Go for it. I paid a similar amount for an older one but love it. New lenses can be imported for a few hundred more but it's always risky and you know you're getting a good one (I presume) with this, and that counts for a lot.

[JohnZ]

Perhaps you could post a couple of piccies that you took with the lens ?
Also it will give you no extra length so that may be something to think about ?

[The BulbMogul]

Love this lens. Only complaints come from those whom never owned one. Will be my lens of choice when i head off to Sri lanka in about 2 weeks. Even the price is great for used.


Cheers, Jerry

[postcardcv]

It seems like a fair price if it's in excellent condition, you can get this lens imported for ~£700 more. While the lens gives no extra reach, it will take a 1.4x very nicely giving you a 560mm f5.6 when needed.

[Roy C]

Some good user comments here http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=41&sort=7&cat=2&page=2

[CCRII]

Depends. Are you a bird photographer or a birder? If your a birder then I would say yes go with the DO, if not I would still say it would be a good purchase, however you would not be far from the cost of a 500 or 600 f/4. Yes you would have to use a tripod (although I know photographers who do not), but you might like the fact that these also take the 1.4x and 2x tc very well, giving you 700-1000mm or 840-1200mm. To me it is important to have as much reach as possible for bird photography while not sacrificing image quality. I think that field craft and stalking are all things that should not be ignored, but there is nothing like being able to photograph a skittish bird and have it fill the frame. I guess it boils down to your photography style really.

[citrinella]

Depends. Are you a bird photographer or a birder?

Never heard it put better. When I travel, I am a birder and use a portable lens (300 f4). When I don't need to move around much, I use a 500. A 400 DO has been on my wishlist for travel, but the cost ...

To be honest, the tripod is at least as much a barrier to using a heavier lens for travel as the lens itself.

Mike.

[JCL]

The 400 DO is great; another forum member PM'd me a while back to say he saw no IQ difference between it and his 500 f4. The 400 DO will AF with the 1.4x, unlike your 400 f5.6. It is easily handholdable (indeed, I think it prefers to be handheld rather than on a tripod, given the slight edge that my handheld shots have over tripod-supported ones). I elected to go for the 400 DO over the 500 f4 because of portability (I travel a lot, and walk a lot when I travel) and handholdability (I wanted to do lots of BIF). When it first came out, there were gripes, but these related to early copies. You don't hear any current user complaining...

[miketoll]

I bought a used one and love it. As said above you can add a 1.4 converter and retain fast autofocus and it is hand holdable even with the converter on. If you have the money go for it as it is a brilliant all round solution, especially with the 1.4 converter option.

[amilne]

I have had one of these lenses for about 6 months. Although I paid even more than you will have to for my new copy, I have always had better results than my skill level would justify. Even with birds in flight, a 1.4 x fitted and the poor light we have at this time of year, over 60% of shots give good results. Although I have bought 2 new heads for my tripod, I have found that holding near the hood with my left hand means I don't carry it unless I have my scope with me - it just doesn't justify the weight in most cases.
See http://www.pbase.com/omar_brannstrom/canon_400mm_do_f4_test_gallery&page=all to see what this lens can do.
Unless the cost drives you into bankruptcy, I'm sure you won't regret it. I haven't.
Alex

[JohnZ]

Does it make any difference which body you put this lens on ? The reason I ask is because a lot of the pictures on the pbase site have been taken with either a 1DMkII or a 1DMkIIn. I did notice some taken with a 20D but they seemed to be in the minority.
Just asking.

[RaptorRon]

Thanks for all the useful replies. I have just borrowed the lens again and have decided to go for it. I am a mobile birder(if that makes sense) and prefer the freedom of hand holding which this lens gives. So much for the credit crunch, now can I justify keeping the 400mm f5.6?

[jdj]

a lot of the pictures on the pbase site have been taken with either a 1DMkII or a 1DMkIIn...

It's an expensive lens so many users can also afford an expensive camera to go with it.

I use a 400 DO and confirm others' positive comments. It is a superb lens. And very light for a supertele (noticeably lighter than the 300 2.8 I used before it). The 400 even with 1.4 is sharper and focuses faster than my 100-400.

The 500mm is a great lens, too, but way less portable.

[JCL]

I think we need a '400 DO fans club': supporters of a much-underrated lens.

[jtwood]

I have used the 400DO for three years now it's a great lens and with the 1.4 extender makes a great outfit. I own a canon 600mm lens and see no difference in the results, I use a 40D with both lenses wich gives me very good results except in low light conditions where the niose levels of the 40D tend to show up, I will wait until next year for the arrival of the 1d mark1111 then upgrade. Wishing you the best of luck with your new lens
Jim