Okay, I realize all the hype about the new Canon 400mm f/4 DO IS lens, but with rumor's of pricing being more than the typical "L" series lenses I have a question. If you check out Canon's information page on the "DO" technology, they have a picture comparing a 400mm f/4 DO to a 400mm f/4 refractive, check out this link at Canon DO Technologyand here is the picture,

My question is this, if DO technology is going to be more expensive than refractive (even though apparently it is cheaper to manufacture!) then I'd be really interested in a Canon EF 400mm f/4 L IS (non DO) lens which Canon has apparently made in lieu of the comparison photo with the DO. I'm thinking a 400mm f/4 L IS should be at a price point below the 300mm f/2.8 L IS which would make it very attractive indeed...

-- Bill Meyer (meyerwj@louisville.stortek.com), December 07, 2001

Answers

Here here !

Maybe we consumers should not not oblidge Canon's ridiculously priced lens until they realize their greed. I believe $6000 for a 400mm f/4 L IS lens is absurd ! You can buy their 500mm F/4 L IS for that same $6K and it optically superior, at least by Canon's own MTF testing. I hope they sell none at that price...

-- Bruce Gowdy (brucegowdy@earthlink.net), December 08, 2001.

That lens was a prototype, like the DO lens in the same picture, and isn't intended for production. Why would they bother producing 2 400mm F4s? The price on the DO lens will come down.

-- Isaac Sibson (isibson@hotmail.com), December 08, 2001.