Any update plans for the 400 f/5.6L?

[jwil]

I'm wondering if Canon is going to release an updated, IS equipped, version of this lens in the not too distant future. It seems odd that every prime over 300mm in the lineup has IS except this one lens.

[AeroSmith]

I dunno, they make three different 400mm primes, two of which have IS. They also make the 100-400L which also has IS.

The 400 f/5.6L may in fact be the one for folks that want a long telephoto without IS.

[Billginthekeys]

the main purpose of the 400 5.6 IMO, and where it really shines, is for tracking flying birds, meaning it needs the reach, focus speed, and image quality of the other supertelephotos, but doesnt need to worry about having too little light (your shooting at the sky for crying out loud), and needs to be as light as possible. Therefore IS would make it wiegh more, and also, since u need 500 and up shutter speeds for flyers it wouldnt do any good anyway. if you need IS that bad you should probably take a look at the 300 F4 IS

[jwil]

I shoot cars/motorsports, and I need this specifically for long panning shots at 1/125 where Mode 2 IS would be very useful. 300mm is just not long enough for most of these shots and I don't have $6k laying around for the 400 f/2.8 or 500 f/4. :(

So, that leaves the original question.

[Billginthekeys]

ahh, what about the 100-400? it has mode 2. not as fast focusing as the prime,but still better than any other long range zoom out there

[jwil]

I've tested a 100-400 and I just found it to be too soft at 400mm. But the biggest problems with the 100-400 for my purpose are the same as for your bird shots. I need a tack sharp, and fast focusing lens that's light enough to hand hold during a pan.

I'm quite pleased the the IQ of the 400 5.6...it just really needs IS. :-/ (Canon, are you listening?)