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

Based on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.

1. Q1 202688/1004.5★20 reviews

   Buyers praise the lens for sharpness, fast autofocus, and image stabilization, especially for birding. A few note grey market concerns and mixed value opinions.

   • 👍Excellent image quality, sharpness, and color reproduction across many reviews.
   • 👍Fast and quiet autofocus, effective image stabilization for handheld use.
   • 🤔Some buyers mention grey market packaging without USA warranty card.
   • 👎One reviewer notes image quality not much better than cheaper EF-S 55-250.
2. Q3 202567/1005.0★3 reviews

   Buyers praise the lens for sharpness, fast focus, and build quality, but note its weight and one review's rating contradicts positive text.

   • 👍Sharp image quality and fast autofocus performance, even with extender.
   • 👍Excellent build quality, described as 'built like a tank' and top tier.
   • 🤔Heavy weight noted as a drawback, but acceptable for handheld use.
   • 👎One verified review gave 0 stars despite positive text, suggesting possible rating error.
3. Q2 202567/1005.0★3 reviews

   Buyers praised the lens for its sharpness, ease of use, and fast image quality, though two zero-star ratings suggest possible confusion or errors.

   • 👍Lens is sharp and produces high-quality images.
   • 👍Easy to use, even for non-professionals.
   • 👍Fast autofocus and image capture.
   • 👎Two zero-star ratings despite positive text, indicating potential rating errors.
4. Q1 202495/1005.0★3 reviews

   Buyers praise the lens for excellent build quality, sharp images, fast autofocus, and versatile close-focus capability. It is considered a rugged, high-performance telephoto for wildlife and general use.

   • 👍Excellent build quality with rugged metal body and smooth zoom ring.
   • 👍Razor sharp, high contrast images at all focal lengths.
   • 👍Fast autofocus and effective image stabilization for moving subjects.
   • 👍Exceptional close focus distance (3 ft) enables macro-like and portrait shots.
5. Q3 2022100/1005.0★3 reviews

   Buyers praised this lens as a versatile walk-around option with high contrast, resolution, and tolerable weight, plus effective telephoto and close-up capabilities.

   • 👍Versatile walk-around lens covering wide to telephoto with high contrast and resolution.
   • 👍Effective telephoto reach for capturing distant subjects clearly and larger.
   • 👍Good close-up performance, not just telephoto; useful for grab shots.
   • 👍Fast-moving subject tracking with reliable autofocus lock in most instances.
6. Q2 2022100/1005.0★3 reviews

   Buyers praised the lens for sharpness, fast focus, and great value, noting significant price increases post-pandemic.

   • 👍Excellent image sharpness and fast autofocus performance.
   • 👍Great value and satisfaction with purchase price and deals.
   • 👍Lens is a favorite go-to piece of equipment for wildlife.
   • 🤔Price has increased dramatically post-pandemic, but buyers are glad they bought early.
7. Q4 2021100/1005.0★6 reviews

   Buyers praise this lens as the best in its range for sharpness and speed, ideal for sports and wildlife photography.

   • 👍Superior sharpness and speed compared to competitors like Sigma and Tamron.
   • 👍Excellent for sports, action, and wildlife photography.
   • 👍High image quality allows cropping without loss.
   • 👍Worth the cost; users do not regret the purchase.
8. Q3 2021100/1005.0★3 reviews

   Buyers praised the lens for wildlife photography, sharpness, and fast shipping, but noted autofocus incompatibility with extenders.

   • 👍Great for bird and wildlife photography.
   • 👍Sharp image quality.
   • 👍Fast shipping and good seller experience.
   • 👎Autofocus not usable with an extender.
9. Q2 2021100/1005.0★9 reviews

   Buyers praise the lens as sharp, fast, and ideal for wildlife photography. Some note the tripod collar has a fragile plastic part.

   • 👍Exceptional sharpness and image quality throughout the zoom range.
   • 👍Fast autofocus and effective image stabilization for wildlife.
   • 🤔Heavy lens; tripod or monopod recommended for extended use.
   • 👎Tripod collar has a plastic piece that can break, though lens function unaffected.
10. Q1 202191/1004.9★7 reviews

    Buyers praised the lens for its sharpness, fast focus, and image quality, with minor complaints about weight and tripod foot issues.

    • 👍Exceptional sharpness and image quality, especially at 400mm.
    • 👍Fast and precise autofocus, great for motion and wildlife shots.
    • 🤔Weight is a common concern but expected for this type of lens.
    • 👎Tripod foot issues noted by one user, though otherwise an upgrade.
11. Q4 202092/1004.8★12 reviews

    Buyers praise this lens for outstanding sharpness, reach, and versatility in wildlife and bird photography. A few note it is heavy and expensive, with one reporting a less sharp copy.

    • 👍Exceptional sharpness and image quality, often described as 'tack sharp' or 'wicked sharp'.
    • 👍Excellent reach and versatility, especially with teleconverters and on APS-C cameras.
    • 🤔Heavy and large, but most find it manageable for the performance.
    • 👎One copy was not sharp, leading to a trade; some find it overpriced.
12. Q3 2020100/1005.0★3 reviews

    Buyers praised the lens for its sharpness, fast autofocus, and smooth zoom, ideal for wildlife photography.

    • 👍Image quality is crisp and clean.
    • 👍Autofocus is fast and reliable.
    • 👍Stabilizer settings are effective.
    • 👍Zoom movement is smooth.
13. Q2 202086/1004.7★7 reviews

    Buyers praise the lens for sharpness, fast autofocus, and versatility for sports and wildlife. One reviewer notes a recent price increase reduces value.

    • 👍Sharp glass and fast autofocus at all focal lengths.
    • 👍Excellent for sports, wildlife, and bird photography.
    • 👍Image stabilization allows handheld use in good light.
    • 👎Price increase of $400 within a week reduces value.
14. Q1 202094/1004.8★16 reviews

    Buyers praise the lens for sharpness, fast autofocus, and excellent image quality, especially for wildlife. Some note the weight and one warns against use with Sony mirrorless.

    • 👍Sharpness and image quality are outstanding, even with a teleconverter.
    • 👍Autofocus is fast and reliable, especially on Canon DSLRs like the 7D Mark II.
    • 🤔Lens is heavy; some find it tiring for handheld use, but others adapt.
    • 👎Not recommended for Sony mirrorless cameras due to poor adapter performance.
15. Q4 201989/1004.8★9 reviews

    Buyers praised the lens for its sharpness, fast autofocus, and image stabilization, ideal for wildlife and travel. A few noted quality control issues and dust ingress.

    • 👍Exceptional sharpness and image quality, often compared to L-series lenses.
    • 👍Fast and accurate autofocus, effective image stabilization for handheld shots.
    • 🤔Some copies had softness at 400mm, but exchange resolved it; quality control varies.
    • 👎Zoom mechanism can absorb sand/dust on beaches, difficult to clean.

Based on 110 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.