I am looking for information that defines the differences between the mark 1 and mark 2 series 400mm 2.8L lenses. Will the older mark 1 function properly on an Elan IIe? What year did the mark 2 version come out? Optical quality and focus speed with 1.4 and 2.0 teleconverters?

-- D.C. (dmconnell@charter.net), June 20, 2001

Answers

I believe (some one correct me if I am wrong) that the major difference between the Version 1 and 2 is weight. The version 2 is lighter than the version 1. According to the Canon camera museum website (www.canon.com/camera-museum) 1991 for the Version 1 and 1996 for Version 2.

-- Bryan Krick (Krick@biopore.com), June 21, 2001.

The major difference is that version 2 is optically better!

Deep in my memory is the thought that the first version didn't use a fluorite element (just UD glass), but the second one did. Not 100% sure of that without looking it up, but I do know the second version was generally regarded as an optical improvement.

I don't think there's a significant weight difference (the previous poster may have been thinking of the new IS lens?).

-- Bob Atkins (bobatkins@hotmail.com), June 21, 2001.