We would like to inform you of the firmware for the interchangeable lens “EF 400mm F2.8L IS III USM” and “EF 600 mm F4L IS III USM” for SLR cameras, which will be released soon.
Products
EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM
EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM
The following fixes will be incorporated into the firmware (Version 1.0.8), which will be released soon.
Corrects the phenomenon where the exposure may flicker slightly if recording a movie with the camera shooting mode set to M or Av in combination with select cameras*
* EOS-1D X Mark II, EOS-1D X, EOS-1D C, EOS-1D Mark IV, EOS 5D Mark IV (Ver. 1.0.2 or later), EOS 5D Mark III, EOS 5D Mark II, EOS 5Ds, EOS 5Ds R, EOS 7D Mark II, EOS 7D, EOS 6D, EOS 80D, EOS 60D, EOS 60D, EOS 60Da, EOS 8000D, EOS Kiss X 90, EOS Kiss X 90, EOS Kiss X 80, EOS Kiss X 50, EOS Kiss X 8i, EOS Kiss X X7i, EOS Kiss X7, EOS Kiss X6i, EOS Kiss X5, EOS Kiss X4, EOS M, EOS M2
How to avoid this phenomenon
When shooting movies, set the camera's shooting mode to P or Tv mode.
When using the lens alone or with the EXTENDER EF 2x, set the exposure setting step to 1/2 or 1/1 with the camera's custom function, even if the camera shooting mode is M or Av.
The Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III and EF 600mm f/4L IS III Super Telephoto lenses were announced September 5, 2018. An interview with the developers of the new generation lenses was published by Canon USA. The main improvements of the new lenses are weight reduction, improved IS performance and Image Quality improvement.
The Canon engineers tackled and overcame the following challenges :
Retooled the lens from the ground up for an overall balanced weight
Improved mobility and portability, with reduced weight
A new optical system
Optical, Mechanical, Electrical and Production difficulties
Reduce the number of components
Reduce weight and increase strength
A new high-strength alloy for the lens barrel
The latest gyro sensor is employed
Best in class IS performance
Lens can handle vibration when using a tripod
Improved lens focus drive speed when an EF extender is attached
New, state of the art coating
You can download and read the entire interview here. My readers know me as The Wildlife Ho-tographer and I have used Canon equipment for over three decades. Trying to decide which of these two lenses to add to my inventory. Leaning towards the EF 400mm Series III since it is slightly shorter and lighter.
Since the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II and EF 500mm f/4L IS II should be announced by mid 2019. Do not expect the same level of weight reduction, as those two lenses are significantly lighter than their 400mm and 600mm counterparts to begin with. I expect a weight reduction of about 1/3 to a little more than 2/3 of a pound, respectively.
The one lens I am most interested to purchase is the EF 600mm f/4 DO BR. Canon showcased it during the Canon Expo in September of 2015 in New York City. This will be the ideal Super Telephoto lens for wildlife photography for me. My current EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II can be a bit short on occasion.
MELVILLE, N.Y., September 5, 2018 – Most professional photographers need to carry multiple lenses in their camera bags. Helping to lighten their load, Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, introduces two new super-telephoto lenses, the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM and EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM. Both lenses possess a dramatic weight reduction and high-image quality, making it ideal for shooters to easily transport and capture images during action-driven scenarios, such as sports and wildlife. Both lenses now hold the title of world’s lightest in their respective focal length*. The weight of the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM and EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM lenses has been reduced by 2.2 lbs. (more than 25 percent) and 1.9 lbs. (more than 20 percent) respectively.
“When developing updates to some of Canon’s most popular legacy lenses, one common question that is asked by photographers was ‘can they be lighter,’” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “The significant reduction of weight in these two lenses addresses this customer need and delivers thoughtfully designed, high-quality optics .”
The new lenses are must-haves for advanced and professional photographers shooting wildlife, aviation, sports and news with Canon’s new EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera (with use of one of the three new Canon mount adapters), as well the EOS 1D and 5D series of DSLR Cameras. Both lenses feature two of Canon’s most advanced propriety lens technologies - Air Sphere Coating (ASC) and Super Spectra Coating (SSC), helping to reduce flaring and ghosting, and suppressing the reflection of light, leading to vivid images. These updated lenses inherit the excellent overall build-quality and ruggedness photographers have come to expect and admire from the Canon EF L series of lenses. In addition, the minimum focusing distance has been improved for both lenses, from 2.7m to 2.5m (8.8ft to 8.2ft) for the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM and 4.5m to 4.2m (14.8ft to 13.8ft) for the EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM.
Additional noteworthy features of the lenses include:
Upgraded Optical Image Stabilization from three-and-a-half stops to five shutter speed stops1 of correction over the previous f/2.8 lens
Improved, flexible focus control with a customizable electronic-focus ring
Two fluorite lenses and one super UD lens, helping to provide high image quality
Circular nine-blade aperture
17 lens elements in 13 groups
Heat-shielding paint helps prevent lens temperature from rising during excessive exposure to sun
Fluorine coating on front and rear optical elements, helps to reduce smears and fingerprints
Inner focusing system with Ring Ultrasonic Motor
Availability and Pricing
The Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM is scheduled to begin shipping in December 2018 with an estimated retail price of $11,999. The Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM is scheduled to begin shipping in December 2018 for an estimated retail price of $12,999.
