Canon RF 400mm f/2.8 L IS USM User manual

ENG
Instructions

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Thank you for purchasing a Canon product.
Canon RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM and
RF600mm F4 L IS USM are super-telephoto
lenses for use with EOS R series cameras.
 “IS” stands for Image Stabilizer.
 “USM” stands for Ultrasonic Motor.
Camera Firmware
Please use the latest version of firmware with the
camera in use. For details on whether the firmware is
the latest version or not, and for details on updating
the firmware, please check the Canon website.
Conventions used in these instructions
Warning to prevent lens or camera malfunction
or damage.
Supplementary notes on using the lens and
taking pictures.

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Safety Precautions
Precautions to ensure that the camera is used
safely. Read these precautions thoroughly. Make
sure all details are observed in order to prevent
risks and injury to the user and other people.
Warning Details pertaining to risks that may
result in death or serious injury.
 Do not look directly at the sun or other strong
light sources through a lens. This may result in
loss of sight.
 Do not point the lens or camera at the sun
or photograph it. This is because the lens
concentrates the sun’s rays even when the sun
is outside the image area or when shooting with
backlight, which could cause malfunction or fire.
 Do not leave a lens in the sun without the lens
cap attached. The lens may concentrate entering
sunlight and cause a malfunction or fire.
 Where the lens is mounted on a camera, make
sure to properly support the lens. If you hold only
the camera, the lens may fall off the camera and
cause a malfunction or injury.
 Be sure to attach the included strap to the lens
when carrying a camera around with the lens
mounted on it. Using the strap for the camera may
allow the lens to fall off the camera and cause a
malfunction or injury.
Caution Details pertaining to risks that may
result in injury or damage to other
objects.
 Do not leave the product in places exposed to
extremely high or low temperatures. The product
may cause burns or injury when touched.
 Attach a tripod or monopod that is sufficiently
sturdy to the tripod mount on the lens.

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General Precautions
Handling Precautions
 Do not leave the product in excessive heat such as
in a car in direct sunlight. High temperatures can
cause the product to malfunction.
 If the lens is taken from a cold environment into a
warm one, condensation may develop on the lens
surface and internal parts. To prevent condensation
in this case, first put the lens into an airtight
plastic bag before taking it from a cold to warm
environment. Then take out the lens after it has
warmed gradually. Do the same when taking the
lens from a warm environment into a cold one.
 Please also read any lens related handling
precautions listed in your camera’s instruction
manual.

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This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This
device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
Do not make any changes or modifications to the equipment
unless otherwise specified in the instructions. If such changes
or modifications should be made, you could be required to
stop operation of the equipment.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant to part 15
of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause
harmful interference to radio or television reception, which
can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and
receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different
from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician
for help.
CAN ICES-3(B)/NMB-3(B)

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Nomenclature
 The illustrations used in the explanations in this manual show the RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM, but
the RF600mm F4 L IS USM is used in the same way.
 For detailed information, reference page numbers are provided in parentheses (→**).
Orientation locking knob
Security slot (covered) (→23)
Strap mount (→7)
Manual focus speed switch
(→15)
Rubber ring (→6)
Focus mode switch (→8, 14)
Drop-in filter (→24)
Focusing distance range
selector switch (→9)
Tripod mount (→23)
Focus preset button (→11)
AF stop button (→10)
Lens mount index (→6)
Lens mount (→6)
Contacts (→6)
Hood mount (→19)
Playback ring (→11, 14)
Focusing ring (→8)
Image stabilizer switch (→16)
Image stabilizer mode selector switch (→16)
Focus preset switch (→11, 14)

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Lens mount index
Lens release button Dust cap
1. Attaching and Detaching the Lens
Attaching the Lens
Align the lens mount indexes of the lens and
camera, and turn the lens clockwise until you
hear a click.
Detaching the Lens
Turn the lens counterclockwise while pressing
the camera’s lens release button. Detach the
lens once it has stopped turning.
Please refer to the camera's instructions for
details.
 Set the camera’s power switch to OFF when
attaching or detaching the lens.
 After detaching the lens, place the lens with the
rear end up and attach the dust cap to prevent
the lens surface and contacts from getting
scratched. Make sure the lens and dust cap
mount indexes are aligned when attaching the
dust cap.
 Contacts that are scratched, soiled, or have
fingerprints on them may result in faulty
connections or corrosion, which may lead to
malfunctions. If the contacts get soiled, clean
them with a soft cloth.
 The lens mount has a rubber ring to improve
dust-resistance and water-resistance
performance. This rubber ring may cause
friction marks to appear around the camera’s
lens mount, although this will have no effect on
usage.
 Since the lens is heavier than the camera, turn
the camera when attaching or detaching the
lens. Ensuring that the lens can rest safely on its
own is recommended, such as first mounting it
on a tripod.
 Rubber rings can be replaced at a Canon
Service Center at cost.

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2. Attaching the Strap
Thread the end of the strap through the strap
mount on the lens and then back through the
clasp on the strap. Pull the strap tight and check
that there is no slack in the clasp.
Strap mount
Included strap
 Before using the lens, check that the strap is
attached securely, that it is not worn (damaged),
etc.

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 Quickly turning the focusing ring may result in
delayed focus.
3. Setting the Focus Mode
To shoot in autofocus (AF) mode, set the focus
mode switch to AF.
To use only manual focusing (MF), set the focus
mode switch to MF, and focus by turning the
focusing ring.
See p. 14 for information on power focus (PF).
 The lens’ focusing ring is electronic.
 With a camera capable of electronic full-time
manual focus, manual focusing is always
possible whenever camera operations are
possible. However, this requires a change in
camera settings.
 When AF operation is set to [ONE SHOT],
manual focus is possible after autofocusing
has been completed by continuing to press the
shutter button halfway. However, this requires a
change in camera settings.
 When the AF button assignment is changed from
the “shutter button” (using the camera’s Custom
Function), manual focus is always possible
regardless if the shutter button is pressed
halfway any time the lens is not autofocusing.
Please refer to the camera’s instructions for details.
Focusing ring
Focus mode switch

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4. Setting the Focusing Distance Range
You can set the focusing distance range with a
switch. By setting a suitable focusing distance
range, the lens is prevented from focusing on a
subject at an unintended distance.
Focusing distance range
Lens Ranges
RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM
FULL (2.5m-∞)
2.5m-7m
7m-∞
RF600mm F4 L IS USM
FULL (4.2m-∞)
4.2m-16m
16m-∞
Focusing distance range selector switch