Canon releases telephoto zoom lens with internal extender – world’s first

The EF200-400mm F4L IS USM Extender 1.4X is a top-tiered high-performance lens for the advanced needs of professionals. Available end May at S$16,599.

Canon EF200-400MM F4L IS USM Extender 1.4X lens will be available end May at S$16,599.

Canon EF200-400MM F4L IS USM Extender 1.4X lens will be available end May at S$16,599.

The EF200-400MM F4L IS USM Extender 1.4X is a new type of lens that combines the convenience of a zoom lens with the high performance of a fixed focal length lens.

It boast super long reach with high quality, records better moving images, and is designed for operability and durability.

Below is the press release from Canon.

Canon Releases the World’s First Telephoto Zoom Lens Equipped with an Internal Extender

The top-tiered high-performance EF200-400MM F4L IS USM Extender 1.4X lens supports the advanced needs of professionals

SINGAPORE, 16 May 2013 – Canon is proud to announce the new EF200-400MM F4L IS USM Extender 1.4X, a powerful and versatile lens designed for professional users to fully capture a variety of scenes using just one versatile high-performance zoom lens.

This latest entry into Canon’s famous top-of-the-line L-series lenses is the first of its kind[1] to be equipped with an internal 1.4x extender.

With this extender, the 200-400mm lens is able to extend its zoom to an impressive 200-560mm range, while still providing the superb image quality that L-series lenses are known for.

Super long reach with high quality

The EF200-400MM F4L IS USM Extender 1.4X is a new type of lens that combines the convenience of a zoom lens with the high performance of a fixed focal length lens.

“Innovation is part of the Canon culture and we are proud to, once again, be at the forefront of the world of photography by releasing the world’s first telephoto zoom lens that houses an internal extender,” said Andrew Koh, General Manager of Consumer Business, Canon Singapore.

By incorporating the internal extender, the zoom range of the EF200-400MM F4L IS USM Extender 1.4X is extended from 200-400mm to 280-560mm.

This makes it very effective for a wide variety of shooting situations and saving photographers from carrying multiple telephoto lenses and the hassle of switching lenses.

Equally impressive is the fact that the EF200-400MM F4L IS USM Extender 1.4X is able to maintain a minimum focal distance of two metres throughout its entire zoom range, even at 560mm telephoto zoom end, further expanding its versatility.

“With its outstanding performance and good design, professional photographers will find the EF200-400MM F4L IS USM Extender 1.4X a worthy addition to their stable of lens,” said Koh.

The EF200-400MM F4L IS USM Extender 1.4X incorporates a new optical design that makes use of a fluorite lens and four UD (ultra-low dispersion) lens elements which effectively corrects colour aberrations across the entire zoom range.

This results in high-resolution, high-contrast images comparable to those taken by large-diameter super-telephoto prime lenses.

Better moving images

The EF200-400MM F4L IS USM Extender 1.4X features a newly-developed compact Image Stabilizer (IS) unit that was created through optimal part placement.

For optimal IS performance in different situations, the EF200-400MM F4L IS USM Extender 1.4X offers three IS modes:

  • IS Mode 1 is designed to shoot still subjects, and achieves image stabilisation performance equivalent to a shutter speed approximately four stops faster[2].
  • IS Mode 2 is designed for panning shots, such as when shooting sporting action or moving vehicles.
  • IS Mode 3 is for shooting irregularly moving subjects with unpredictable movements, which corrects against vibrations only during the exposure stage.

With movie shooting being an important part of photography, the EF200-400MM F4L IS USM Extender 1.4X has a Power Focus (PF) mode which is particularly useful for creating an attractive gradual focus shift effect during movie shooting.

When PF mode is engaged, rotating the playback ring enables smooth focus shift at a consistent speed.

Focus shift speed can also be switched between two speeds depending on the angle the ring is rotated to.

Designed for operability and durability

The weight of the new EF200-400MM F4L IS USM Extender 1.4X lens has been reduced with the liberal use of magnesium alloy, making it easy to carry around.

It is also ruggedly built to endure harsh shooting conditions.

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