Help! No 400mm F5.6 anywhere?

[alexf]

After reading about the 100-400 or 400 prime debates all over the place I decided to take the plunge and order the 400 prime today...but...no one has stock and they are all quoting 6 weeks! I can't wait that long, do they not understand that I MUST have it NOW lol

Any ideas where to try, i have tried bristol and london cameras, jessops, t4, station cameras and a few i cant even remember due to the severe stress?!

Alex

[compa]

I bet it is going to be discontinued. Rumor has it of a new 400mm DO lens to be announced this month.

[alexf]

I bet it is going to be discontinued. Rumor has it of a new 400mm DO lens to be announced this month.


Oh no, so that means 3 times the price right?

[Tannin]

I would wait. How can you loose? If Canon release an updated 400 f/5.6 with IS (which would be a better choice for sure), either you buy one of those or else pick up a second-hand non-IS one from one of the many people who upgrade to the new model and you save a dollar. Or, if it is not being discontinued, you have nothing to worry about. Put your wallet in your pocket for a few weeks and see what happens.

[alexf]

Did Canon anounce any new glass at the show in Vegas?

[psilo]

Canon quoted a 6 week delivery 4 months ago. Its a joke! I got tired of waiting and went over to Sigma and I am very pleased I did.

[alexf]

Canon quoted a 6 week delivery 4 months ago. Its a joke! I got tired of waiting and went over to Sigma and I am very pleased I did.
Ah great, more research lol

[stevo]

Try www.parkcameras.co.uk (http://www.parkcameras.co.uk) they`re a Canon pro dealer.

Steve.

[postcardcv]

my local camera shop had one in secondhand the other week, it may still be there.. might be worth calling them - 01362 693 506

[alexf]

Cheers guys, I'll be on the phone first thing then, fingers crossed

[tracker]

Always worth a look at ebay, if you are comfortable enough. Ive seen them come and go for between £500-700 second hand. I may even sell mine there if a 400mm DO IS is launched ;)

[bill lord]

After reading about the 100-400 or 400 prime debates all over the place I decided to take the plunge and order the 400 prime today...but...no one has stock and they are all quoting 6 weeks! I can't wait that long, do they not understand that I MUST have it NOW lol

Any ideas where to try, i have tried bristol and london cameras, jessops, t4, station cameras and a few i cant even remember due to the severe stress?!

Alex

The warehouse express website is showing them in stock.

[tommo]

www.mifsuds.co.uk --- apparently in stock. I also hear it is to be replaced soon.Wish I hadn`t sold mine a couple of weeks ago.

[Roy C]

Re a couple of the sugestions shown above: Both Park Cameras and Warehouse Express are also out of stock on this lens.

[alexf]

Rats! I've tried every company mentioned but they are all out of stock :-C

Any others?
(Thanks for the help so far)

Regards

Alex

[hillie]

Alex,
I got mine from A.J. Purdy (http://www.ajpurdy.co.uk/erol.html
about 9 months ago good price £877. They are Canon dealers.

John

[alexf]

Cheers Hillie,

Same story, I have tried over 20 companies today and no one has stock. To be honest, at this point I am quite dissapointed with Canon and their total lack of stock control.

[compa]

Cheers Hillie,

Same story, I have tried over 20 companies today and no one has stock. To be honest, at this point I am quite disappointed with Canon and their total lack of stock control.

Sounds like they got it right to me. They simply sold their stock of the old model prior to the release of the replacement. Most people would be angry if they bought something just prior to a company announcing a new improved version.

[stevo]

If it is true about a new model it might be best to wait a while,as some people will trade up leaving a 2nd hand supply of the lens you want.

Steve.

[pete schofield]

If your'e that desperate Alex you can have mine for £950 lol

[alexf]

Sounds like they got it right to me. They simply sold their stock of the old model prior to the release of the replacement. Most people would be angry if they bought something just prior to a company announcing a new improved version.


Is the 400 DO the replacement or is there something due which we don't know about?

I suppose I was miffed because I have spent a month researching the 400 F5.6 and can't get one now that i have the money burning a hole in my pocket. If a replacement comes out that is around the same price I would be happy but I know my luck and it will probably end up being much more, have to wait and see, just getting paranoid that I won't have one for spring.

Regards

Alex

[christineredgate]

This is why I have purchased a used Sigma F2.8.At least I can use it whils,t waiting to see what happens with the Canon 400.

[tracker]

If your'e that desperate Alex you can have mine for £950 lol

LOL I was gonna offer mine for £1100, you beat me to it ;)

[tracker]

This seems to be an interesting thread regarding the lens in question: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=45149

[Tannin]

Who says 400 DO? No-one. Only rumours. No-one who actually knows what's in the pipeline has said anything yet, we have to wait for the announcements around the 20th of the month. The only even semi-official news is that Canon will be announcing new products, and that this will include cameras, lenses, and various other stuff.

What are the most likely ones? Well, we could consider the weaknesses in Canon's lens lineup and speculate that they will probably release new lenses that fill those gaps. Where are the gaps?

Fast, short primes in the 20 to 40mm range. (But primes are out of fashion, so will they bother?)

Fast, wide zooms: the 24-70L doesn't have IS, the 24-105L is only f/4, the 17-85 is not all that well regarded, none of them are especially wide ... so maybe they have something like a 15-50 f2/8 planned. (I hope so, as I'd buy one if they did.)

A general-purpose mega-ratio zoom, similar to Nikon's new 18-200 or the various third-party lenses in this class. Very likely, I think.

Mid-range zooms are not a problem: they have a heap of them already, and if you shoot in the 100 to 300mm range you are already spoiled for choice.

Super-teles. The 100-400L is very old, the 400 f/5.6 even older. Both have excellent optical design but need refreshing. Both could be for the axe before too long, the 100-400 could be made lighter and be given current-generation IS and they might get rid of the push-pull zoom action at the same time (I like the push-pull, but a lot of people don't). The 400 f/5.6 doesn't have IS at all: it's possibly the most obvious candidate for replacement in Canon's entire lens lineup. If I were Canon, it would be the very first lens I'd replace, presumably with an IS version that is otherwise very similar. DO would make it too expensive (not that Canon seem to mind making stuff expensive).

What about a 500mm f/5.6? It would sell like crazy to the sport and birding people. But, on the other hand, lots of people who are saving up for the 500 f/4 or 600 f/4 would settle for the 500 f/5.6, and spend "only" AU$5000 instead of AU$12,000 ...... it might actually cost them more in lost mega-profits on the big f/4s than they could make on the 500 f/5.6.

Short summary of what I think is most likely:

* New SLR, the 20D replacement. (It wouldn't surprise me to see them release two new SLRs, but certainly one.)
* A mega-range zoom in the 18-200 class. Fairly cheap as these things go, less than stellar optical performance because of the very high zoom ratio.
* Something short and wide in a zoom; EF-S 15-50 f/2.8 seems like as reasonable guess as any other. They are practically certain to release at least one ES-S lens, as much to demonstrate ongoing commitment to the 1.6 crop line as for any other reason.
* 400L f/5.6 IS is a no-brainer.
* a 100-400L replacement seems possible but lower priority, maybe next year.

Now, would you like to know which horse is going to win the Melbourne Cup next year? Next week's lotto numbers? Exact date of the next San Francisco earthquake? Ask away, I'm your man.

[IanF]

I've been looking for one for several weeks and got fed up of being fobbed off - especially by Warehouse Express. The final straw was the delivery date of 27th January that Canon received them so I placed an order. A week later and WE were still making excuses - though it sounds like Canon are to balme - but I still cancelled the order and kept an eye on eBay. I was almost tempted to order from from HK and risk the import duty but as it happens one came up from a UK seller which I successfully bid on.

Anyone considering this lens - even after just an hours use - I'd say it's well worth waiting for. The Canon 100-400mm is an exceptional lens but really the 400mm f5,6 is in a class of it's own :t:

[tracker]

The Canon 100-400mm is an exceptional lens but really the 400mm f5,6 is in a class of it's own :t:

And built to last ;)

[tommo]

Maybe just a rumour but I have heard from a colleague in America that they are eagerly anticipating a 400 f5.6 IS at around $3000 to replace existing model.
PS- 20d will definitely be replaced now because I purchased one as a back up today.!!

[robski]

And built to last ;)

One thing they don't like is being droped nose first from a couple of feet. Auto focus unit shot !!! Hopefully I get my 300 f4 back at the end of the month. I was talking to a guy at the weekend his slide out of it's case and had to have the same repair.

[alexf]

Thanks for the replies. I agree with Tannins educated guess, by the way, do you happen to know the euro lottery numbers for tonight? lol...I'll go halves with you...

A friend lent me a 400mm last week which was the worst thing I could have done because I know what I'm missing now.

The 400mm is long overdue a revamp so lets hope it's on the list of new glass this month :D

[alexf]

If your'e that desperate Alex you can have mine for £950 lol


Don't tempt me!!!

[Adey Baker]

'Nicholas' Camera Company - 020 7916 7251 - are advertising it new @ £925 in this week's 'Amateur Photographer' magazine. They're a regular 2-page advertiser of secondhand stuff in the mag with just a smal selection of new gear at the top of the ad, so it's not just one of those full-list jobs that you often see.

[tracker]

One thing they don't like is being droped nose first from a couple of feet. Auto focus unit shot !!! Hopefully I get my 300 f4 back at the end of the month. I was talking to a guy at the weekend his slide out of it's case and had to have the same repair.

Twas more of a 'dig' at the 100-400 Rob, but point taken ;)

[robski]

Twas more of a 'dig' at the 100-400 Rob, but point taken ;)

LOL- I did realise that Tom - One thing that put me off the 100-400 was the number of people that needed fairly major repair work through what is was no more than normal wear and tear. I've not tried an IS lens so I don't know if they are of REAL benefit. My gut instinct is that is just something else that can go wrong and cost an arm and a leg to get fixed. Personally if I was to go for a 400 I would go for a non-IS version. I went for the 300 F4 mainly for a bit of flexibility. It gives me a 300, 420 with a x1.4 f5.6 and an option for a 600 with a x2 f8. I am tempted to buy a Canon x2 in the summer provided Canon can get the part for my lens and I get it back repaired.

[Sidor]

After reading about the 100-400 or 400 prime debates all over the place I decided to take the plunge and order the 400 prime today...but...no one has stock and they are all quoting 6 weeks! I can't wait that long, do they not understand that I MUST have it NOW lol

Any ideas where to try, i have tried bristol and london cameras, jessops, t4, station cameras and a few i cant even remember due to the severe stress?!

Alex

What about 300 f4, with or without a 1.4 TC, still retains Autofocus.

Sidor

[psilo]

Wow Rob you still not got your lens back yet!! why do they have to take so long? tis ridiculous.

[robski]

Wow Rob you still not got your lens back yet!! why do they have to take so long? tis ridiculous.

They don't have the part in stock in the UK. I was told that after the 1st week. I enquired 3 weeks later and was told the part was in and it should be ready end of next week. :king:

Then on the Monday they phoned me to say sorry wrong version of part they have to re-order which should take 4 weeks. Sounds like the part is coming from Japan this time instead of Europe :-C That will make it the end of this month so fingers tightly crossed.

Because I've been getting bored I've just bought a wide angle lens for general photography until I can get back into bird photography with the 300mm.

[graham catley]

Re above--WExpress and others also have no 300f4's in stock awaiting 4-6 weeks apparently--may be selling one soon watch the forum thread!
GPC

[robski]

Graham

A nice shot of the Goldcrest in this months BW mag :)

I may have to consider that one if I can't get mine fixed. They have not said they can't get the part any more but as it is a 12yrs old non IS version I am a tad worried.

[alexf]

Jessops reckon the stock release will be at the end of the month but I'm not holding my breath, by that time at least we may have either stock or news of the possible replacement

[TwoDogs]

Canon quoted a 6 week delivery 4 months ago. Its a joke! I got tired of waiting and went over to Sigma and I am very pleased I did.
Hi Psilo
What Sigma lens did you go for. Had a quick look at your gallery; very good.

Twodogs

[alexf]

I got one yesterday from camera king in London, fresh stock from Canon. As Canon have only released two lenses and the 30d I decided to go for it rather than wait any longer. Today there is no rain, cloud or snow so I'm off to see what the 400mm can do for me...sorry...I'm gonna see what I can do with it more like! On with the thermals then, its only 2 degrees :D It is a shame they didnt release one with IS, nevermind, I'm used to hand holding pro video cameras so this seems nice and light compared to my usual gear lol

Anyway, the birds are calling......

[Ragna]

Alex its very unlikly Canon will bring any more new lenses out now before September and if it is a new 4005.6 that they bring out with IS then it'll be about another £300.I am sure you've made the correct choice the 400 5.6L is a superb lens. Let us know how you get on.

[alexf]

Heres one from today. It was very cold with a fair wind but managed to get a couple i was happy with. I think I now need to improve my 20d technical skills :brains:

I'll post a Red Kite pic from today in a minute...

[alexf]

Hmm, don't know why that went blurred, have another:

[alexf]

another go

[Ragna]

Alex you have jumped in at the deep end flight shots take a lot of practice and this looks a good first effort just needs a bit of lightening, the pheasent shot looks very blurred.got any more

[Ragna]

thats better

[alexf]

I also need to sharpen my creeping up on birds skills too! I also had a lot of silhouette shots of kites when they were right above me, should I have put the exposure up?

[stevo]

I`ve had a play in photoshop with your Red kite shot,using the shadow/highlight tool.

Steve.

[Skipton]

Ooops! Steve beat me to it.... Played with your Red Kite, tweaked it with levels and curves.

[JohnZ]

alexf, Persevere at all costs it is a fantastic lens. Hope you don`t mind but I have posted a shot and a crop of the same shot. If a doughnut like me can do it then anybody can !

[alexf]

Thanks for the replies guys. I keep looking out the window waiting for the clouds to go!! Practice, practise, practice. Was the blue tit shot on a tripod or handheld?

Thanks

[JohnZ]

It was shot hand held albeit at 1/2000 sec f6.3. Only the second time I have had reasonably good light in the past few weeks which makes a massive difference when using the lens.
I cannot use a tripod. And you are absolutely right it is practice. I have taken loads of shots of birds in my back garden and binned most of them but just using the lens fairly frequently seems to have reduced the amount of shots I discard.
Good luck !

[alexf]

Thats the main drawback for this time of year, dull weather. The sun keeps trying to come out here but I have just walked my dog and the wind is a killer!

Yesterday was the first time using it and I noticed how much the wind actually moves the 400mm when I'm trying to hold still!

This one was taken after climbing through a dense hedgerow by the side of a road but it still looks a bit out of focus?

[JohnZ]

I have posted a couple of shots on the Photo Critique bit. One of a Starling and one of a Chaffinch. Both were taken with the 400mm. I was pretty happy with the results. Neither have been photoshopped to any great degree as I don`t know how to do it.
This may give you some idea of what can be achieved by a newcomer to this lens. I can only tell you that as soon as you get a decent shot it gives you a little more confidence to continue.
Hold up ! The sun has come out. Keep practicing mate. See you later.

[christineredgate]

"Purely Gadgets" have this lens for sale,in stock.No they do not,are advertising as "in stock" but have a reserve of 7 waiting.there 2 advertised on e-bay yesterday by a powerseller.Price £739

[nelly]

A thousand quid in me pocket and no one wants it!
It's totally bizarre really - so many people out here want a 400 5.6 - why don't they supply some.
(Tired of my plastic lens) :storm:

[christineredgate]

Nelly,try contacting Ian Kerr e-mail kerso1123(AT)msn.com He has supplied several BF members with Canon lenses.Send him an e-mail and he will ring you direct.He may be able to help.

[Ragna]

Nelly I got mine from Kerso had to wait about 3 weeks he send it to his sister who then sends them on by special delivery paid £730 ther is another thread on the Canon site go the cheap seller in Scotland or something like that.

[Ragna]

Nelly click back to Canon in the cameras and photograhy section page 3 Great price for canon lenses in Scotland started by nikonrob.

[bill lord]

A thousand quid in me pocket and no one wants it!
It's totally bizarre really - so many people out here want a 400 5.6 - why don't they supply some.
(Tired of my plastic lens) :storm:

Have a look at Ebay.

[christineredgate]

If anyone wants to buy a 400F5.6 lens contact Ian Kerr --e-mail kerso1123(AT)msn.com
He has one for sale.Price should be £740.This is the chap Ragna mentioned.He has ordered 2 lenses.Apparently they are in very short supply in the USA.Delivery should be around 10 days.A reliable seller.Several BF members have bought from this seller.The lens is posted from Scotland and has a 12 mth warranty.

[Ragna]

Ian Welcombe to birdforum i am sure your sell all of these on this site .It a great lens.

[nelly]

Thanks for your flurry of recommendations.
I've ordered from Kerso.
Should get it some next week, fingers crossed. :D

[alexf]

you'll love it, i do :t:

[Roy C]

Thanks for your flurry of recommendations.
I've ordered from Kerso.
Should get it some next week, fingers crossed. :D

Snap!

[alexf]

I'm sort of getting the hang of the 400mm :brains:

[Roy C]

Got my 400mm f5.6 at last - just need spring to start so I can get out and about to try it out.Got it from Ian Kerr (KERSO) who is recommended, he's a helpful guy.

[nelly]

Snap too!
Mine arrived today also. My goodness it is awesome. Feels like I could hammer fence posts in with it (which I won't of course)!
I still shoot in film so it'll be a while before I post a sample - and spring comes later to Hull than anywhere else in the universe - fingers crossed for Staurday. :D

[Kerso]

Thanks to everyone that bought the 400mm lenses from me. I can supply any other member with any of the Canon range. Also selling Sandisk cards at great prices. Best regards Ian.


Snap too!
Mine arrived today also. My goodness it is awesome. Feels like I could hammer fence posts in with it (which I won't of course)!
I still shoot in film so it'll be a while before I post a sample - and spring comes later to Hull than anywhere else in the universe - fingers crossed for Staurday. :D

[Nick k]

To complete the hatrick...my 400mm f5.6 arrived today also!! With many thanks to Kerso. If you are in need of ANY Canon lenses (especially the elusive and difficult to find 400mm f5.6), plus Sandisk memory at GREAT prices, then KERSO is the man to contact. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. I've been out today with my new lens...it does the job a treat..see my gallery for proof!

[Ragna]

Nick welcome to the club i got mine at the begining of this year and i dont think its been of my camera since.Razor sharp lightning fast focus and not to heavy and very affordable especially from Kerso.

[nelly]

Yeah,
big thanks to kerso. Price saving gets me off to flyer for my purchase ( well not quite - son's 18th to do next)
Anyway, in the face of much obfuscation from the main dealers kerso came through - recommended! :clap:

[Steveajp]

We at A J Purdy have several in stock now. Canon 400mmf5.6L.

[stuartelsom]

Alex,

I can personally recommend Ian Kerr, who certainly had a 400 in stock last week. He will do you a 400 f5.6 L for £740 inc P & P which beats the pants off most UK dealers.

You can contact him on kerso1123 'at' hotmail.com and he is great to deal with, very straightforward with no bulls***.

I used him as a direct result of reading numerous recommendations from this forum.

Cheers

Stuart
www.stuartelsom.co.uk (http://www.stuartelsom.co.uk/)

Cheers Hillie,

Same story, I have tried over 20 companies today and no one has stock. To be honest, at this point I am quite dissapointed with Canon and their total lack of stock control.

[Ragna]

Ill second Ian Kerr cant beat his prices

[Bish]

I bought my 100-400mm from him for £915, Highly reccommended

Regards Bish. :t:

[F1F3R]

ive have purchased 3 len'es from Ian Kerr, 100 - 400 L , and just last week a 400 L and a 50 f1.8,

great service again, i purchased online and picked up lens locally saving on postage.

and i will also look forward too purchasing from him again in the future.

[alexf]

Thanks guys.

I got one in the end for £850 a few months ago but may buy the next lens from him. Thanks for the pointers.