New Canon 100-400 Coming!!!

[JohnnyG]

Well, I did it! I ordered the Canon 100-400 "L" IS, and I just can't wait for it!

I hope to get it in 2 or 3 days and I'm really nervous waiting. I plan to go to the park this weekend and try for some birds.

This is a real big step for me.

I went to the park yesterday and used my Sigma and got some pretty decent shots but I'm looking forward to improving my bird shots. I've done a lot of research here on POTN and other places and the 100-400 seems to be a great lens. I hope so.

When I was at the park yesterday, the first 2 photographers I ran into had the 100-400 so I guess it was an omen.

I'll be posting later this week or weekend and I hope I won't be too bad. I hear there is a learning curve with that lens so I'll start learning this weekend.

If there are any 100-400 owners that would care to give me some tips I would really appreciate it!

I plan to order the 1.4 extender a little later to compliment this lens.

Thanks,

[calicokat]

Congrats on a great lens. Just get used to holding the lens out on the barrel with your left hand for extra support. Oh and people will start to look at you different when you walk around with it :)

[Lesmac]

Consider weight training ;-)

Great lens, versatile and sharp.

[Anthony J Howe]

I walk around with mine attached to the 5D with pride, especially in front of the other photographers which I tend to pullout to 400mm for emphasis.

It's a great lens and good looking too.

[Raj]

Its a great purchase & I am sure you will enjoy it a lot :-)

[dancad]

Congratulations on a beautiful new lens. I am positive you are going to enjoy it. Yes there is a bit of a learning curve, but you'll get used to it in no time.

One piece of advice I can relay to you is not to forget to tighten the zoom ring lock. When left completely loose the push-pull zoom will move by itself if you suddenly point it upwards or downwards. I like to tighten it just enough so that I will be able to zoom up and down with ease and that it will stay in place afterwards regardless of where I point it.

Looking forward to seeing your results with it...

[johnathan]

JohnnyG
Congratulations on your purchase! I am planning on buying a 100-400L in the near future. I have a question I heard that B & H includes the lens mount. Is this true as all of the online stores use a stock photo with the mount installed.

Anyway good choice on your new lens ! Johnathan

[JohnnyG]

JohnnyG
Congratulations on your purchase! I am planning on buying a 100-400L in the near future. I have a question I heard that B & H includes the lens mount. Is this true as all of the online stores use a stock photo with the mount installed.

Anyway good choice on your new lens ! Johnathan Johnathan, yes that is true. B&H does include the mount and soft case.

By the way, that's standard for that "L" lens from Canon to include both items. Some Internet companies don't and then charge you for each! Quite a rip-off but B&H always include what is supposed to come with the lens and their price is very good! That's why I always order from them.

I hope I get mine soon this week and here's hoping you get your 100-400 soon. 6 months ago I never thought I would ever get an "L" lens now I'm getting the 100-400. Life sure is surprising at times!

Thanks for the congratulations!

[johnathan]

JohnnyG
Thanks for the quick reply. Good to hear that B&H does that. I have ordered from them in the past and their service is great. I sent an email to Beach camera and they don't include the mount. Shame as I have bought a lot of gear from them.

I am very new to the DSLR family. Having only had my XT for 1 1/2 months. I bought the 70-200 1:4L with my camera and like it but really want the reach of the 100-400L ! I am excited for you. Hope to have mine before August or sooner if I can't wait . Enjoy Johnathan

[antc]

awesome lens mate, very good choice, will take a few goes to get used to the weight, but after that what can i say, awesome quality!!

[JohnnyG]

awesome lens mate, very good choice, will take a few goes to get used to the weight, but after that what can i say, awesome quality!!
I bought a monopod in anticipation of this lens so that should help a lot.

Wednesday is the planned receipt!!!

[trubwana]

Advice I would give is keep the shutter speed as high as possible to avoid camera shake for best image quality. Secondally, don't overtighten the lens locking mechanism. I've read that there is a potential problem with overtightening causing the internal bearings to fail. I only ever tighten mine with one finger therefore is loose but this will aviod lens creep. Its a great lens and will enable you to get excellent results.

[petrolhead]

I am correct in thinking that at full zoom with the 1.4x tcon you will loose auto zoom

[Tdragone]

Yes; that is correct. with the 1.4 it will not AF on non-pro series cameras (1 and 5 series)

[Ronald S. Jr.]

:rolleyes: I read this thread hoping someone had heard of a new 100-400L coming out. What a let down. :lol: :p

[JohnnyG]

:rolleyes: I read this thread hoping someone had heard of a new 100-400L coming out. What a let down. :lol: :p
Gosh I hope not! I just ordered one!!!

[mdm]

Congrats on the new lens. Sounds like fun.

[JohnnyG]

Congrats on the new lens. Sounds like fun.
Thanks!!!

Today-Today-Today-Today-Today-Today-Today!!!

It's on the truck for delivery TODAY!!!

Did I mention that it was coming TODAY?:???::???::???:

Look out ducks, I'll be looking for you to shoot!!!

[tommykjensen]

Congrats have fun.

I just ordered one a couple hours ago but I have to wait a couple weeks before I get it :(

[JohnnyG]

Yes; that is correct. with the 1.4 it will not AF on non-pro series cameras (1 and 5 series)

Yes, I read that too on the sticky about teleconverters in the lens section.

I still plan to get the converter so I hope it's not too hard to focus well with it. I would love to get that reach to 560mm with the 1.4. That's effective zoom of 896 with the conversion factor! Wow!!!

[JohnnyG]

Congrats have fun.

I just ordered one a couple hours ago but I have to wait a couple weeks before I get it :(

Yes, I guess you would being out of the country! :(:(:(

I couldn't wait so I ordered it on 2 days shipping!!!:D:D:D Of course I'm here in Texas!

[tommykjensen]

Yes, I guess you would being out of the country! :(:(:(


I ordered it from a danish shop but no shops in Denmark have it in stock so they have to get it from Canon Denmark first.

[JohnnyG]

I ordered it from a danish shop but no shops in Denmark have it in stock so they have to get it from Canon Denmark first.
Well, good luck getting it sooner but if you have to wait I'm sure it will be worth it.

Just think of all the duck shots you can do?:D:D:D

[Blackburnian]

Best lens to buy! Covers a wide range and delivers the good. It's light and comfortable to walk around with in the field and with some practice, sharp images are to be had.

Congrats and post some of your early results!

Marc

[kwsanders]

Thanks!!!

Today-Today-Today-Today-Today-Today-Today!!!

It's on the truck for delivery TODAY!!!

Did I mention that it was coming TODAY?:???::???::???:

Johnny... I was not certain on your original post. Did you say that it was coming today? :roll: :lol: :mrgreen:

[JohnnyG]

Johnny... I was not certain on your original post. Did you say that it was coming today? :roll: :lol: :mrgreen:
I'm sorry that I didn't make myself clear but....................................

It just came! I just started unpacking it and there is a white box with a red letter L on it! Canon is also in red letters!:D

I'm going to unpack the box carefully on the bed so I can't drop it and attach it and take a picture of a duck! Not really on the duck as there aren't any in my back yard but there are cats and a occasional bird.

Duck tomorrow though!!!

Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D :D

[kwsanders]

Congrats on the new lens. Hopefully you are not getting rain right now and you can get out and shoot some photos the remainder of the afternoon. :)

[EOS_JD]

I hear it's a hard lens to use as the DoF can get very narrow. I wish you well with the new purchase. Thinking about this or the 300 f4L IS. Leaning towards the 300 at the moment but not totally decided yet. Big decision!

[JohnnyG]

Well, first shot with my 100-400 of a Mockingbird! Not the best but pretty darn good I think for my first hour with the lens! Really bad conditions too! Into the sun which really didn't help!

Well anyway, I might have shrunk it too much or not saved it properly but it looks great on my screen.

Here it is and be gentle......

(I know it's not a duck but there wasn't one in my yard)

Duck tomorrow!!!

[dancad]

I can feel your excitement as I went through this a couple of months ago! Congratulations again...you will not regret this purchase.

[Crypto]

You'll love this lens. I use this (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=936259&cp=982092.713109&parentPage=family&searchId=713109) to help me on my hikes. The additional 3.5 lbs around my neck with another 50lbs in my backpack can get take its toll. I never have to hold it and it doesn't swing all over. I used the lens bag strap around the lens to connect the bino harness. It has been a life saver for me.

Good first shot!

[johnathan]

JohnnyG
I am very excited for you.How do you like all of that reach that you didn't have with the 70-300 . Looks like the beginning of a great relationship with your new friend 100-400L

[kwsanders]

Well, first shot with my 100-400 of a Mockingbird! Not the best but pretty darn good I think for my first hour with the lens!

I think it is a pretty good shot. It does look just slightly noisy. Did you use a high ISO?

[cfcRebel]

Congrats on the new lens Johnny. Post more.

[col4bin]

Congratulations. Amazing and fun lens. Although somewhat heavy, I have no issues carrying it all day. I Jjst keep one hand on the barrel at all times. Fast shutter speeds become more critical with this lens when using handheld. I would suggest a monopod for this lens (although I don't have on yet).

I will mirror what someone said earlier....people will look at you different with this lens.

Enjoy.

[JohnnyG]

I think it is a pretty good shot. It does look just slightly noisy. Did you use a high ISO?

I'll try running Neat Image on it and see what happens! Thanks.

I'm still learning and always will be I hope!!!

Thanks for the tip....

[kwsanders]

I'm still learning and always will be I hope!!!

It was only slight... not too bad. I really like the image. I like Mockingbirds.

By the way, I have never tried Neat Image. Do they have a plugin for Photoshop Elements or is this a stand-alone product?

[JohnnyG]

It was only slight... not too bad. I really like the image. I like Mockingbirds.

By the way, I have never tried Neat Image. Do they have a plugin for Photoshop Elements or is this a stand-alone product?
It's a stand alone product. I have the free version and I haven't really used it before but I tried it on the bird.

I replaced the image, what do you think now? Did it help? It looks like it did.

Thanks for the help!

[kwsanders]

That looks pretty good. It gave the background a little softness, but it is an effect that I particularly like on that photo.

[JohnnyG]

That looks pretty good. It gave the background a little softness, but it is an effect that I particularly like on that photo.

I guess I should have left the original in and just put the replacement in my note later.

I'm going to investigate noise programs. It's a new field to me but since I'm going to be using higher ISO at time I need to be better at noise reduction.

Any suggestion on a good noise program?

[kwsanders]

I have been using the Noise Ninja plug-in for Photoshop Elements 4 on my Mac. It works very well. I have to play around with it so that I do not get a "fake" looking image with the smoothness that you can get from it.

[JunkieXL]

Hi Johnny,

I have my 100-400 for 3 weeks, it's a fantastic lens, you will love it..but it needs time to master. Here's some samples, all handheld

@400mm f8 1/350
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/5258/img30490gi.th.jpg (http://img147.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img30490gi.jpg)

@400mm f11 1/250
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/2305/img30711oy.th.jpg (http://img147.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img30711oy.jpg)

@100 f8 1/750
Ding Darling, FL
http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/4337/img32192rt.th.jpg (http://img356.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img32192rt.jpg)

100% crop (unretouched) @400mm f8 1/750
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/2711/img31031js.th.jpg (http://img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img31031js.jpg)

[JohnnyG]

Hi Johnny,

I have my 100-400 for 3 weeks, it's a fantastic lens, you will love it..but it needs time to master. Here's some samples, all handheld

@400mm f8 1/350
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/5258/img30490gi.th.jpg (http://img147.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img30490gi.jpg)

@400mm f11 1/250
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/2305/img30711oy.th.jpg (http://img147.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img30711oy.jpg)

@100 f8 1/750
Ding Darling, FL
http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/4337/img32192rt.th.jpg (http://img356.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img32192rt.jpg)

100% crop (unretouched) @400mm f8 1/750
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/2711/img31031js.th.jpg (http://img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img31031js.jpg)

Wow, those are really nice! I especially love the private jet but they're all very good.

I'm already loving the lens and I'm filling my hard drive up with images. It is a fantastic lens and thanks for the encourgagement!!!

[johnathan]

JohnnyG
Would love to see more of your pictures in your thread ! That is really a fine lens.
Junkie XL Great shots ! Johnathan

[JohnnyG]

You'll love this lens. I use this (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=936259&cp=982092.713109&parentPage=family&searchId=713109) to help me on my hikes. The additional 3.5 lbs around my neck with another 50lbs in my backpack can get take its toll. I never have to hold it and it doesn't swing all over. I used the lens bag strap around the lens to connect the bino harness. It has been a life saver for me.

Good first shot!
Thanks for the tip! That device does seem interesting as it puts the load on your shoulders.

I've been walking around the past couple days and so far I'm not noticing any problem. I have the POTN strap and it's wider and doesn't bother my neck from the weight but I think I hold it more with my hand too. So far though, the weight doesn't seem to be a problem.

Thanks!

[JohnnyG]

JohnnyG
Would love to see more of your pictures in your thread ! That is really a fine lens.
Junkie XL Great shots ! Johnathan

Well, everyone said I was supposed to take a picture of a duck when I got a new lens so here it is! It's not the best but the subject is good.

I call it:

DOING IT DUCKS!!! (nature in action)

[calicokat]

that should be in the glamour and nude section :eek: :eek:

[johnathan]

whoop
That wasn't what I expected but it is a nature photo ha ha. Johnathan

[boblim]

Well, I did it! I ordered the Canon 100-400 "L" IS, and I just can't wait for it!

I hope to get it in 2 or 3 days and I'm really nervous waiting. I plan to go to the park this weekend and try for some birds.

This is a real big step for me.

I went to the park yesterday and used my Sigma and got some pretty decent shots but I'm looking forward to improving my bird shots. I've done a lot of research here on POTN and other places and the 100-400 seems to be a great lens. I hope so.

When I was at the park yesterday, the first 2 photographers I ran into had the 100-400 so I guess it was an omen.

I'll be posting later this week or weekend and I hope I won't be too bad. I hear there is a learning curve with that lens so I'll start learning this weekend.

If there are any 100-400 owners that would care to give me some tips I would really appreciate it!

I plan to order the 1.4 extender a little later to compliment this lens.

Thanks,


Hi ... I am a newbie wif Canon300D.. as I wanted more zoom so the local shop recommended the either the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO MACRO DG or the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III which the canon is just $25 more expensive.. I noted that you have a sigma 70-300 too.. can you give me advice which if the 2 should I get for a wide range of shoot?
thanks

[JohnnyG]

Hi ... I am a newbie wif Canon300D.. as I wanted more zoom so the local shop recommended the either the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO MACRO DG or the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III which the canon is just $25 more expensive.. I noted that you have a sigma 70-300 too.. can you give me advice which if the 2 should I get for a wide range of shoot?
thanks

Yes, I do have the Sigma and I've enjoyed it very much. It seems quite sharp as long as you keep the shutter speed around 1/400 or higher. That has been my experience but I can't hold it very still so maybe that's partly me. I've been very pleased with it and the price is really right.

Thanks for asking and good luck to you!

[ElectricHarmony]

Well, everyone said I was supposed to take a picture of a duck when I got a new lens so here it is! It's not the best but the subject is good.

I call it:

DOING IT DUCKS!!! (nature in action)

>>> :lol: <<<

[J Tavendale]

Well done. Its a great lens! I remember my excitment when I ordered mine a little over a year ago.

I love it to bits!

[Stan43]

This is an awesome lens. Make sure you get enough shutter speed with your ISO to hand hold.

[kwsanders]

Nice shot, JohnnyG. The focus is spot on. I do agree with calicokat, however. That shot might need to be in a different section. jk :lol:

[JohnnyG]

Hi ... I am a newbie wif Canon300D.. as I wanted more zoom so the local shop recommended the either the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO MACRO DG or the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III which the canon is just $25 more expensive.. I noted that you have a sigma 70-300 too.. can you give me advice which if the 2 should I get for a wide range of shoot?
thanks

Yes, I do have the Sigma and I've enjoyed it very much. It seems quite sharp as long as you keep the shutter speed around 1/400 or higher. That has been my experience but I can't hold it very still so maybe that's partly me. I've been very pleased with it and the price is really right.

Thanks for asking and good luck to you!

[Colin Morey]

I share your excitement JohnnyG, my 100-400 arrived last friday, and I've been loving it since.
I don't know how everyone else carries it, I'm alternating between:
1) Crandling it in my left arm, right hand on the camera,
2) hanging loose from my right hand, (fingers on the grip, just letting it dangle
3) Carrying it by the tripod mount, I can only do this when it's at least partially extended.


Does anyone else have any other tips on usage?

[Tundrasport]

This is an awesome lens. Make sure you get enough shutter speed with your ISO to hand hold.


Congragulations! I picked up mine just a week ago and love it! I couldn't wait on shipping so I went to the local shop and said "gimme one of those!" Yes, I paid a little more, but to me its worth it to go to the local guys sometimes. I learn a lot just talking to them and the other customers.

What mode do most people use with this lens? I tried AV but my shutter speeds were sometimes way too low for hand held. I have been getting much better results with TV, I have tried some of the creative settings also. (yes, I did try the dreaded "green box") I am still learning, and getting better, with this lens it is much more play than work figuring it out! Any shared experiences would be appreciated. Thanks!

[yeoness]

i have this exact combo. its great.

[Dan-o]

Nice! I was flipping back and forth between the 100/400 and the 70/200 2.8. Went with the latter for a bunch of indoor stuff I would like to shoot the next few weeks. Congrats.

[obsessed]

Congrats JohnnyG
Pics are great. Fun to see all the enthusiasm in this thread. I am just beginning myself. Have had my 350D for 4 weeks. Tried 70-300 IS but realized I need more reach. Thought really hard about getting 400mm f5.6 but decided to get the 100-400mm for the flexibility since I am going to africa and returned my 70-300mm for the portrait issue (although great lens will rebuy once it is solved)

I am going to order mine next week:) :)
can't wait to post my pics

keep having fun...

[Bamamike]

Congrats JonnyG, I got mine last week and I was on TDY. This thing was home on Monday and I had to wait until Thursday evening, what a pain. But the results are great, a lot of bang for the buck and the AF is fast as a dream.
Let's have our fun with that great lens....