Canon officially introduces EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II

Canon has announced the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM. The lens succeeds the original 100-400mm, whose design dates back to 1999. Compared to its predecessor, it distinguishes itself with completely renewed optics and a 4-stop optical stabilizer.

Last week, most of the news leaked out, including an image. As expected, Canon is saying goodbye to the push-pull zoom with the introduction of the new 100-400mm; the new lens can be operated via a zoom ring. There is a Zoom Touch adjustment ring that allows a zoom lock at a certain focal length. Like the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6L, the lens extends when zooming in.

Optically, the lens design has been completely overhauled. The new lens consists of 21 lens elements with a combination of Fluorite and Super Ultra-low Dispersion glass. For the first time, Canon is also using a new coating called Air Sphere Coating in its EF lenses. This anti-reflective coating consists of tiny nanoparticles with encapsulated air, which should reduce reflection and flare. The optical Image Stabilizer or IS provides 4 stops of vibration compensation and can operate in three different modes.

The minimum focusing distance is 98cm and the lens uses a filter size of 77mm. The newly designed ET-83D lens hood should allow photographers to rotate polarizing filters without having to remove them. Including tripod collar, the lens weighs 1640g and 1570g without. At 100mm, the length is 19.3cm.

The EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM has a suggested retail price of 2199 euros and will be available from mid-December.