Canon’s EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4X.. A dream Come True!!
After a short conversation with Steve Elkins from Bedford Camera & Video, I knew I needed one of these bad boys for sure. Exactly as promised the lens arrived via the Brown Truck in the destruction- proof Canon travel case in all of its glory! Having seen one before I still wasn’t prepared for the sheer beauty of this technological marvel. Did I tell you how impressive this unit is?? Canon’s EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4X is perhaps one of the finest lenses I have ever had the opportunity to use. It’s unlimited versatility, and razor sharp focus, along with its ergonomically balanced design is a significant improvement in a handheld telephoto lens. Coupled with the Canon’s 1DX, the acquisition and lock-on of the desired target is lighting fast and accurate. It is the finest telephoto zoom out there at this time. It is clearly a must have for the serious wildlife and sports photographer. The immediate and smooth transition with the 1.4 extender is every photographer dream. The fact that you will no longer miss a shot, trying to add, or remove an extender is the “cat’s meow”!! The additional benefits of speed, safety, and not opening your camera and lens to the environmental elements are poetry in motion. This was a perfect time to take this baby on the road, as I was due to leave for a 5 day trip to South Texas, Rio Grande Valley. With the potential for mammals, raptors, and migrating song birds it was indeed the perfect time to put this to the test!
I immediately noticed just how easy this lens balanced while hand-holding and shooting raptors in flight! I was so impressed with the relative ease of tracking, holding, and photographing birds in flight. I was dialed in after a few shots, and found the ability to zoom from 200-400mm very easy with the natural positioned zoom ring. Indeed the lens isn’t exactly a lightweight (7.9 lbs.); however when coupled with Canon’s 1DX this lens is and clearly will become your go to lens, especially in this age of challenged air travel and weight restrictions. It fits into my Gura Gura bag, or Think Tank roller with ease and both are domestic as well as international air travel legal.
After five days of shooting I’m totally impressed with the image quality. With or without the 1.4 EX engaged is the image quality is impeccable. As a reference, I compared this lens to my Canon 600mmII other than a small focal difference of 40mm; I can not detect any image quality differences. Too be honest ,with the ability to add an additional 1.4 extender to the Canon’s EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender it’s a no brainer. If I only had the ability to take one lens; it would clearly hands down be the… Canon’s EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4X
Frankly with superb Image Quality, Ergonomic balance, engage- able 1.4EX, and a smooth 200-400mm zoom capability this is every photographer dream machine.
Steve Elkins, and his staff at Bedford Camera & Video , http://www.bedfords.com/ offer first class customer service, and 100% satisfaction. With six locations, and a state of the Art E commerce shopping site they still endorse one on 0ne customer contact/relationship! Feel free to reach out at 800 433 4280.
A few images straight out of the Canon’s EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4X.. See them in the gallery under South Texas Rio grande Valley.
