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

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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

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5. AF Stop Buttons
 Useful when autofocus is operating mostly in
[SERVO AF].
 You can change the function of the AF stop
buttons depending on the camera. Please refer
to the camera's instructions for details.
 Angle positioning of the AF stop buttons is
adjustable by a Canon Service Center at cost.
During autofocus operation, you can press an
AF stop button to temporarily pause autofocus,
and then release the button to resume.
Press an AF stop button to maintain a focusing
distance or to avoid focus search.
Press the shutter button while holding down
an AF stop button to shoot at that focusing
distance.
You can use the AF stop buttons to temporarily
pause autofocus.
AF stop buttons

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6. Focus Preset
By using focus presets, you can turn the playback ring to focus the lens at any preset focusing distance.
To use focus presets, set the focus preset switch to ON or .
If set to , the lens beeps when being preset and when moving.
Operation differs to set one preset or two presets.
One Preset
Set one focusing distance.
< Preset the Focusing Distance >
Focus the lens at a focusing distance you
want to preset.
Press the focus preset button to preset the
distance in memory.
< Shoot at the Preset Focusing Distance >
Turn the playback ring left or right to move the
focus to the preset distance.
Press the shutter button while the playback
ring is turned to shoot at that distance.
Beep Sounds (Beeper)
・One beep: When presetting a focusing
distance
・Two beeps: When the focus moves to the
preset focusing distance
Playback ring
Focus preset button
Focus preset switch

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Focus Preset
Two Presets
Hold down the focus preset button to preset two
focusing distances.
< Preset the Focusing Distance >
Focus the lens at a focusing distance you
want to preset.
Hold down the focus preset button briefly (at
least 1 second), and then immediately turn
the playback ring left or right to preset the
distance in memory for that direction.
Use the same steps to preset another distance.
< Shoot at the Preset Focusing Distances >
Turn the playback ring left or right to move the
focus to each of the preset distances.
Press the shutter button while the playback
ring is turned to shoot at that distance.
Beep Sounds (Beeper)
・Two beeps (slow):When button held down
・One beep: When presetting a focusing
distance
・Two beeps (fast): When the focus moves to
the preset focusing distance
Playback ring
Focus preset button
Focus preset switch
Hold
down

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Focus Preset
 When setting two presets, holding down the focus preset button briefly but then not turning the playback ring
causes the lens to beep three times and cancel presetting. Set presets from the start again.
 The camera may turn off while setting two presets. Press the shutter button halfway, and then set presets
from the start again.
 When not using focus presets, set the focus preset switch to OFF.
 Focus presets can be used in all focus modes. Focus speed is slow only during movie shooting when the
focus mode is PF, and is fast for all other settings. In slow speed, you can make a 2-step change in focus
speed depending on how much the playback ring is turned.
 All focus presets are initially at the lens’ mechanical limit in the infinity direction (not at infinity) when the lens
is mounted on a camera.
 Preset focusing distances remain in memory until the lens is detached from the camera.

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7. Power Focus (PF)
Turn the playback ring
manually to change the
focus.
Set the focus preset switch to OFF, and the focus mode switch
to PF.
Playback ring
Focus preset switch Focus mode switch
By using power focus, you can turn the playback ring to change the focus smoothly.
This is a useful feature for changing focus when shooting movies.
 You can make a 2-step change in power focus speed, depending on how much the playback
ring is turned.

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8. Manual Focus (MF)
When shooting images using manual focus (MF), you can select the manual focus speed.
Manual focus speed
switch
Use the manual focus speed switch to select a manual focus speed.
Speed is fastest at 1, with 2 and 3 being progressively slower.
 Speed 3 is recommended for fine focusing.
 When RF lens MF focus ring sensitivity in the camera settings is set to [Varies with rotation speed],
switching with the manual focus speed switch is disabled.
To enable switching with the manual focus speed switch, set RF lens MF focus ring sensitivity to
[Linked to rotation degree].
Please refer to the camera’s instructions for details.

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9. Image Stabilizer
Image stabilization corrects vibrations that occurs with hand-held shots.
Image Stabilizer modes
 MODE 1: Corrects vibrations in all directions. It is suited to shooting still subjects.
 MODE 2: When you take a panning shot either horizontally or vertically, corrects vibrations at
right angles to the direction of panning. It is suited to shooting moving subjects.
 MODE 3: During exposure, corrects vibrations in the same way as MODE 2.
Since vibration is corrected only during exposure, It is suited to shooting irregularly
moving subjects.
Select an Image Stabilizer mode according to
the application and shooting conditions.
Image stabilizer mode selector switch
Set the STABILIZER switch to ON.
 If you are not going to use image
stabilization, set the image stabilizer switch
to OFF.
Image stabilizer switch

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 In semi-darkened areas such as indoors or
outdoors at night.
 In locations where a flash cannot be used,
such as art museums and theater stages.
 In situations where your footing is uncertain.
 In situations where fast shutter speed settings
cannot be used.
MODE 1
Shooting still subjects
MODE 2
Shooting moving subjects
The Image Stabilizer for this lens is suited to hand-held shots in the following conditions.
 Panning shots of
vehicles, trains, etc.
MODE 3
Shooting irregularly moving subjects
 Sports photography
of soccer, basketball,
etc.
 Photography of
animals
Image Stabilizer

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Image Stabilizer
 The Image Stabilizer cannot compensate for a
blurred shot caused by a subject that moved.
 The Image Stabilizer might not be fully effective
in the following conditions:
• Large shake or fast vibration
• Panning in MODE 1
 Setting the STABILIZER switch to ON consumes
more power than when OFF.
 Vibration such as during transport may unlock
the Image Stabilizer and cause rattling, but this
is not breakage and will have no effect on usage.
This will be rectified once the lens has been
mounted on the camera.
 When using a tripod, the Image Stabilizer might
not be fully effective or it might be better to set
the STABILIZER switch to OFF, depending on
the type of tripod and where the tripod is located,
as well as on the camera’s settings such as
shutter speed.
 Although image stabilization will operate when
using a monopod, depending on the shooting
conditions, sometimes the Image Stabilizer might
not be fully effective.
 Setting the STABILIZER switch to OFF is
recommended when you are taking pictures
using the Bulb setting (long exposures). If the
STABILIZER switch is set to ON, the Image
Stabilizer may introduce errors.
 Depending on the camera there may be image
shake, such as after releasing the shutter.
However, this does not affect shooting.
 If you set the camera’s Custom Function to
change the AF button assignment, the Image
Stabilizer will operate when you press the newly
assigned AF button.

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The custom lens hood cuts out unwanted light that can cause flare and ghosting and protects the
front of the lens from rain, snow, and dust.
10. Hood
Lock knob
Attaching the Hood
Loosen the hood lock knob by turning it
counterclockwise. Fit the hood onto the lens’s
hood mount, and tighten the lock knob to fix it in
place securely.
Detaching the Hood
Loosen the hood lock knob by turning it
counterclockwise and detach the hood.
The hood can be reverse-mounted on the lens
for storage.
 If the hood is not attached properly, vignetting (darkening of the perimeter of the picture) may occur.