There are love affairs—Some romances begin in a moment of serendipity. It all began the first time I saw her. Instantly, I was captivated. A few years later, on a trip to Corbett, her twin kept me company, and that’s when it turned into love. And ever since, she’s been by my side.
Through journeys across landscapes and continents, her presence has been as mesmerizing and reliable as the day I first encountered her. What I treasure most is her flexibility—the way she adapts seamlessly to every situation, shift ing in and out as the need arises. It’s a performance that never fails to impress.
But before you mistake me for veering into scandal, let me state this upfront: I’ve been happily married to the same woman for over three decades. Most of my travels are with her. No, this lifelong affair is not with a person—but with my most trusted companion in the field: the Canon Zoom Lens EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4X.
This workhorse has proven its worth on countless assignments—from capturing a polar bear adrift on an iceberg in the Arctic to framing a tiger that emerged unexpectedly, much to the struggle of other photographers juggling their cumbersome 500mm and 600mm primes. With the flick of a switch, I can shift from its native 200–400mm f/4 to an effective 280–560mm f/5.6, extending my reach without missing a beat.
Of course, the perennial debate around this lens is its weight—3.62 kg is no small burden. Compare that to the Canon RF 600mm f/4 at 3.1 kg, or the RF 400mm f/2.8 at 2.9 kg (before adding extenders, which bring along both weight and dust-related hassle). Many have pointed me toward the RF 200-500mm, lauding its ease at just 1.36 kg. But with that comes a compromise—an aperture range off/4.5 to f/7.1. And for those who swear by the golden hours of dawn and dusk, we know how much that extra light matters. I leave you to decide.
Now, shooting handheld at my age isn’t exactly effortless. But with the help of bean bags, monopods, and tripods, the strain becomes manageable—and every time, I realize the sheer rewards of this lens far outweigh its drawbacks.
What do I wish for now? That Canon brings this marvel into the RF mount, perhaps shaved down in weight, without shaving up the price. If that happens, I’ll be first in line outside the Canon store. Just one request, Canon—please keep it below $10K.
Yes, Canon, I’m talking to you. And yes, the love affair continues
That memory never faded. The forests kept calling, even as studies, work, and family filled my days.
