Rate the EF 400 5.6L prime.

I'd get it if it had IS and a shorter MFD, for about $1,300

Not going to happen... In the meantime, I'm not letting go of my 300mm f/4L IS.

My 400mm puts my 70-200 2.8 IS to shame when birding/long distance shots but I love em both...

LightRules wrote in post #2131908
It's a feather-weight...and it's superb too.

I wouldn't say feather weight and it is quite long with the hood extended, but it is fine for carry around ... superb IQ tho' and very good handling in general.

Chris P Bacon wrote in post #2132287
One thing I didn't mention earlier was that the 400 prime has quite a long minimum focusing distance ...

That's the only thing I would criticise in mine ... and for Africa I need something that does better than that so will have to get a 70-200mm IS L 4.0 I just wish these things where black.

I did not vote as there was no option high enough in praise for it.
I try to avoid wishing and speculating about changes to it, just use it and love it. It's what I call a 20 shot lens. You take it out the first time , take about 20 quick shots , head back to the PC and check the results , and stare in amazement at what it can do. Then you go at and start using it knowing it's up to you now, no more excuses. For me it ended the equipment thinking - just get on with the photography. Sure I'd like a 500 F4 one day , but with the size, weight and value of the 500 , I imagine the 400 will get used much more if that day ever arrives.

condyk wrote in post #2652090
I wouldn't say feather weight and it is quite long

Dave, you need to stop hanging out with PetKal. You're both wusses

Thanks for the info. gentleman. I figure, at the price I got it, it will be a great lens to own. I will post pictures/etc. once I get the lens...a few days from now. Can't wait.

LightRules wrote in post #2652872
Dave, you need to stop hanging out with PetKal. You're both wusses

We're both gentleman photographers and artists of course, so we don't like to indulge in too much effort. We leave that to artisans and technicians such as yourself

What about the fact that it's slow (f5.6)? Doesn't that bother anyone? Just asking as it's in "the list" of considerations for me...

Mr. Clean wrote in post #2653294
What about the fact that it's slow (f5.6)? Doesn't that bother anyone? Just asking as it's in "the list" of considerations for me...

If the slowness bothers you get a 400 2.8. It's about 6 times the price and over 4 times the weight of the 5.6. Come to think of it , I can't understand why I didn't do that myself.

or the 400 f4 DO ... just a question if you have same conditions and aperature is at f5.6 and shutter speed is say 1/250 and then you put the aperature to f4 would the shutter speed then be 1/500??

Mr. Clean wrote in post #2653294
What about the fact that it's slow (f5.6)? Doesn't that bother anyone? Just asking as it's in "the list" of considerations for me...

It shoots really well wide open IME and so it depends when and where and how you are shooting of course. I tend to think the 5.6 will be OK for most situations I will encounter and in Africa it is going to be perfectly OK much of the time. If I was shooting middle of an English Winter from a hide at dawn then I would struggle

Yes, it is very sharp wide open and you can usually up the ISO on a darker situation a little with no problem.
Another quality of this lens that I have learned to appreciate is the quality of the Bokeh as you approach the minimum focal distance.

http://i69.photobucket​.com …/i46/jdewell/IM​G_0953.jpg

Well, I finally got around to taking some shots with this lens. I love it so far...and the reach is pretty good. AF is fast, and AI Servo with the 5D is darn decent, although it takes a bit of getting used to. Below is a thread with some hawks and gulls that I took with the lens.

Here's the link...