First L lens on its way. Canon 100 - 400 L IS

[Stever]

After reading articles on this forum, I've taken the plunge. Order was placed at B&H (already one day late - yes I'm excited and counting every hour). Just a note: Canon wants $2400 - $2800 dollars for this lens in Canada. Price in US $1299.00 USD with exchange that equals about $1663 Canadian Dollars. I'm all for supporting my local Camera store, but not to the tune of hundreds of dollars. Looked at high prices in UK magazines - only one word - shocking. Thanks to all for their comments on this particular lens and comparison to others. It helped make the decision. I'm retiring 75 - 300 IS but am keeping 28 - 135 IS that still pleases me, but for how long after using an L lens.

[PacAce]

After reading articles on this forum, I've taken the plunge. Order was placed at B&H (already one day late - yes I'm excited and counting every hour). Just a note: Canon wants $2400 - $2800 dollars for this lens in Canada. Price in US $1299.00 USD with exchange that equals about $1663 Canadian Dollars. I'm all for supporting my local Camera store, but not to the tune of hundreds of dollars. Looked at high prices in UK magazines - only one word - shocking. Thanks to all for their comments on this particular lens and comparison to others. It helped make the decision. I'm retiring 75 - 300 IS but am keeping 28 - 135 IS that still pleases me, but for how long after using an L lens.

Congrats, Stever, I'm sure you'll totally enjoy the lens. Now, all you need is a lens to cover the wider angles in the 15 to 35mm range, if you don't already have one.

BTW, I couldn't help noticing that you registered in March of last year and you only have 9 posts. You've been very quiet, haven't you? Well, hope to hear more from you, especially after your 100-400 arrives. :)

[Old Guy]

I've just converted the price in american dollars to english pounds and it works out £500 ($912us) cheaper than buying it here. Absolute madness.

[Nolz]

this has been a lens that has captured my attention also....i was dead set on the 70-200 F4 L before i started reading about the 100-400 *sigh* and i too (when the time comes) will order it from B&H the price difference is crazy!....(just hope the aussie dollar stays as strong :D )

congrats on the purchase! and please write up your opinion on it after a few snaps ;)

[MichelM]

I noticed in your message that you ordered the lens into Canada. I just came back from a trip to NYC and pickup the 70-200L IS F2.8 and the cost compared to Canada was also tremendous. Do you expect that when the lense crosses the border you will be charge the GST and your local provincial tax or not ? I am intrigued as I may also want to order other things from Adorama or B&H.

[timmyquest]

i'm gonna get this lens in uhh...3 months or so.

I cant wait.

[Bytes U]

I noticed in your message that you ordered the lens into Canada. I just came back from a trip to NYC and pickup the 70-200L IS F2.8 and the cost compared to Canada was also tremendous. Do you expect that when the lense crosses the border you will be charge the GST and your local provincial tax or not ? I am intrigued as I may also want to order other things from Adorama or B&H.
MichelM, I can almost guarantee any big items shipped via UPS into Canada will be charged GST and PST plus a stiff brokerage fee. UPS loves to nail Canadians steep brokerage fees whether the item is rated tax free or not. [still fuming over excessive brokerage charges 2 yrs ago on zero taxed goods]

[Burninfilm2]

Congratulations..That is one great lens..Enjoy it...Bob

[defordphoto]

Another member of the 100-400 Club! Congrats! Your membership card is on the way!! :)

[Canuck]

Another member of the 100-400 Club! Congrats! Your membership card is on the way!! :)

I'm feeling a little left out. I went with a faster lens, though, and w/ a 2x tc I can go to 600mm and still have AF! Not like I use it much anyway. I guess there isn't one for the monster Sigma EX following, yet...
Stay tuned...

[defordphoto]

I'd love for the 100-400 to still have AF with the 1.4TC! Oh well, I see a 400 prime on the horizon. That will be after I get the 1Dx however.

[Scottes]

I'd love for the 100-400 to still have AF with the 1.4TC! Oh well, I see a 400 prime on the horizon. That will be after I get the 1Dx however.

It's a shame the 400 prime isn't f/4. That would be sweet.

[Jack_C]

Shipping to Canada Tip:

Use UPS Expedited or UPS Express,
NOT UPS Ground.

If you use the Expedited or Express services from UPS, brokerage is included in the shipping cost, ususally about $30US for a L lens, and you'll have it overnight or 2nd day.

All you pay extra is GST and PST.

You'll save appx $300-600 on the L lenses or camera bodies, and the warranty is valid in Canada, if you get the USA version of the lens.

[Jack_C]

Auto Focus with 1.4x is possible on the 100-400L with the low cost Tamron 1.4x extender $60.

I have both the Canon and the cheap Tamron, optically I can not tell the difference, but for auto focus the Tamron works well. The Canon does not, even if the pins are taped the Canon still does not work as well as the Tamron for auto focus for some reason.

If you can buy one with a return option, I suggest you give the Tamron 1.4x (MC4) a test.

Here's some shots with it:
http://www.pbase.com/image/25045013/original

[chris.bailey]

Got mine this week and today is the first chance I have had to "play"

http://www.pbase.com/image/25235861.jpg

Taken hand held with IS 1/125 Iso 200 at full stretch at 5.6. Amazing how small the depth of field is even at that distance.

[Burninfilm2]

WOW..nice photo, I can almost smell the horses breath...Bob

[defordphoto]

Yeah! Nice shot Chris!!

[Stever]

Hi All,

It's late Sunday night here and tomorrow the lens arrives (fingers crossed). Thanks for all your comments and photos. I'll let you (potential Canadians buying in USA) about any extra charges from UPS and taxes (GST and PST). As originally posted, the order was placed last Tuesday for two day delivery but, B&H takes a couple of days to make sure all is on the up and up with the finances and delivery address. Only one problem, UPS is going to deliver a very expensive lens to an empty house because we'll all be at work. B&H will only deliver to the address that the credit card is registered to. I'm off to Mexico, daughter getting married down there. We'll escape the brutally cold temps (-40CorF) we've been having lately. Hope to post some shots when back. Just picked up Digital Photo Pro magazine. I think it's an excellent read. Any comments?

Stever

[defordphoto]

Since the advent of the Internet our home is basically magazine free, but DPP is an excellent coffee-table mag with great articles, reviews, previews and photos, of course. I subscribed.

http://www.digitalphotopro.com/

Their site is just an ad. Nothing to read there.

[Stever]

A final note to Canadian shoppers for L glass (or any other glass/products) from US sellers (B&H in my case). The total price came to $1986.00 Canadian Dollars (includes cost of 100 - 400 L IS, Shipping two days insured air freight, duties and taxes. Best price at local Camera store (Henry's) $2400 plus taxes. Well worth the 7 days I waited for delivery.

I'm still using up 40 rolls of Portra (expensive) film so haven't shot any digital (10D) yet with this lens. As soon as I do I'll post comments. After taking some digital courses (still fairly computer illiterate), I'll post some photos. Thanks all.

Stever

[morenoar]

Hello everyone. Just got back from Japan and used my REBEL A lot. Experimented with different Shutter Speeds and Apertures. Went from JPG to RAW. From Creative modes, to automatic modes. MF and AF, Just had fun. Some pictures came out good, others not so good. Learned a few things though. Must do Focusing Manually or on M mode to get the full range. Either that or TRY (key word is TRY) to understand how the focusing range works on the the 300. Anyway just wanted to share a little bit of PRICE comparisons from Tokyo. 100-400L IS===$2500, 70-200 f2.8 IS $2700. Regular 75-300lens $450, 70-300 IS $700, 50mm f1.8 $100, 50 f1.4 $500. Memory cards (basic not super fast) 256Mb $160, 440 flash $350, 550flash $450,Digital rebel KISS $1400, Canon 10D $1900 oh,all these items where TAX Free

Thank you Delta and B&H and a few others for there prices


Needles to say, I did not buy one

[drisley]

A final note to Canadian shoppers for L glass (or any other glass/products) from US sellers (B&H in my case). The total price came to $1986.00 Canadian Dollars (includes cost of 100 - 400 L IS, Shipping two days insured air freight, duties and taxes. Best price at local Camera store (Henry's) $2400 plus taxes. Well worth the 7 days I waited for delivery.

I'm still using up 40 rolls of Portra (expensive) film so haven't shot any digital (10D) yet with this lens. As soon as I do I'll post comments. After taking some digital courses (still fairly computer illiterate), I'll post some photos. Thanks all.

Stever

stever, so breaking it down, how much were the duty and brokerage fees?
You used UPS Air?

I am thinking of ordering from B&H too. How is their service?

Thanks in advance!

[Bruce Watson]

Reading this thread with interest. Last spring, when I made the leap and purchased a 10D, I saved over $500 by purchasing from B&H over Canadian retailers.

This differential has increased with the strengthening Cnd $.

There is no duty on camera equipment across the CanAm border.

You will be charged GST and appropriate provincial tax on delivery.

If you choose UPS or other courier, there will be a brokerage fee, but not enough to cancel the significant savings.

However, if you order USPS, delivered by Canada Post, you will only pay the taxes plus a $5.00 handling charge, no matter what the value.

Postal is slower, so not as good if you're impatient, but it saves having to pay through the nose to UPS. I have also had unpleasant experiences with their brokerage fees on zero rate goods and boycott them as much as possible.

Since then, I have ordred thousands of dollars of equipment from B&H, all delivered succesfully and economically by postal service.

Cheers,

Bruce

[Belmondo]

I'm all for supporting my local Camera store, but not to the tune of hundreds of dollars.

Nobody can blame you for trying to get the best deal you can, especially where that kind of money is involved. Good luck withit.

In a way, it's a shame how Canon has seemingly abandoned the smaller neighborhood camera stores in favor of the bigger discount bombers. Case in point: I bought one of the $1169 70-200 f/2.8L IS lenses from Dell. My local shop has been trying to get one for months without success, so I did a little horse-trading with him, and he now has that lens to sell.The worst part is, his price from Canon for that lens is more than B&H sells it for.

What's wrong with this picture?

[drisley]

Thanks for that infor Bruce.
So, you can specify UPSP for B&H when ordering?

How long did you usually have to wait for delivery?

Thanks again :)