Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM

The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM is a professional-grade telephoto zoom lens with a 100-400mm focal range, f/4.5-5.6 maximum aperture, built-in image stabilisation, USM autofocus motor, 77mm filter thread, 1.8m minimum focus distance, and a weight of 1380g — all in a full-metal L-series body designed for demanding use.

Key Specifications

• Focal length: 100–400mm
• Maximum aperture: f/4.5 (wide) — f/5.6 (tele)
• Minimum aperture: f/32
• Lens mount: Canon EF
• Autofocus: Yes — USM (ring-type ultrasonic motor)
• Image stabilisation: Yes
• Minimum focus distance: 1.8m
• Filter thread: 77mm
• Aperture blades: 8
• Weight: 1380g

What makes the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM special?

The Canon EOS system has several telephoto zooms, but this L-series lens occupies a very specific sweet spot: it covers a genuinely useful wildlife range, uses a full-metal barrel built for hard use in the field, and pairs USM autofocus with optical image stabilisation — a combination that was far from standard when this lens launched.

The ring-type USM motor is fast, near-silent, and allows full-time manual focus override without switching modes. That matters when you're tracking a bird in flight and need a quick tweak. The image stabiliser has two modes — one for static subjects and one that compensates for the panning motion you use when following moving animals or athletes.

Compared to consumer telephoto zooms like the Canon EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM, this lens adds 100mm of reach, optical stabilisation, and the weather-resistant L-series build. The difference in real-world use is significant: longer reach means more standoff distance from wildlife, and IS makes sharp handheld shots at 400mm far more achievable.

The Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD is a popular third-party alternative on Canon DSLR bodies. It is lighter and typically more affordable used, but the Canon L version offers a more robust build, more consistent AF tracking, and tighter quality control across the focal range.

One honest note: the original version of this lens uses a push-pull zoom mechanism, which is a different handling experience from twist-zoom designs. Some photographers love the speed of push-pull for quick focal length changes; others prefer the more conventional approach. Either way, it's worth knowing before you buy.

Who is the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM for?

This lens was designed for sports and wildlife photographers working with Canon EF cameras, and that's still exactly what it excels at. The 100-400mm range covers stadium sports from the sidelines, birds in flight at a nature reserve, and large mammals on safari — all without switching lenses.

Wildlife photographers heading to destinations like Botswana or East Africa will find the 400mm reach useful for large animals, though for smaller or more skittish subjects, pairing with a 1.4x extender gives extra reach while keeping autofocus functional on most Canon bodies. The 1.8m minimum focus distance also means it can pull double duty for large insects or reptiles at close range.

Sports photographers covering field sports — football, rugby, athletics — will appreciate the fast USM tracking and the two IS modes, which keep the viewfinder stable while panning. The 1380g weight is substantial, so handheld shooting over a full day requires some arm strength or a monopod.

It also works well for travel photography where you want a single lens that covers both portraits (at the 100mm end) and compressed landscape shots or distant architecture at 400mm. The 77mm filter thread is a common size, so existing polarisers or ND filters from other lenses in your bag will likely fit.

Buying a used Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM

Buying this lens second-hand is a smart move — it's an optically and mechanically capable telephoto zoom that holds up well over time when properly maintained. That said, there are a few specific things worth checking on a pre-owned copy.

Push-pull zoom barrel: The mechanism should move smoothly with consistent resistance from 100mm to 400mm. Any grinding, sticking, or sudden looseness suggests wear or dirt ingress. This is the most common mechanical issue on well-used copies.

Image stabiliser: Test IS at 400mm on a static subject. The viewfinder image should settle and stabilise within a second or so. A buzzing IS unit that doesn't actually steady the image needs servicing.

Front element and barrel seals: L-series lenses have dust and moisture resistance, but inspect the front element for cleaning marks (fine circular scratches from improper cleaning) and check the barrel seams for signs of sand or grit ingress.

USM autofocus: Run the AF on a moving subject. It should lock quickly and track smoothly. Any hunting, clicking, or failure to confirm focus is a red flag.

Every used Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM sold through Camera-tweedehands.nl is individually inspected and comes with a minimum 12 months warranty. The exact warranty period for each item is shown on the variant listing. Returns are accepted within 14 days.