100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L Owners

[keith1959]

Was wondering how you feel about your 100-400 lens. . .I am thinking about buying one and was wondering your thoughts. . .thanks, keith

[chris maddock]

Was wondering how you feel about your 100-400 lens. . .I am thinking about buying one and was wondering your thoughts. . .thanks, keith

Very happy, thank you.

KRs
Chris

[cecilc]

Love mine ....

You can see some shots from one of last season's lacrosse playoff games here: http://www.lassiterlbc.org/gameshots/playoff-h/.

All those shots were with the 100-400. As long as the lighting is good, it's a great lens - not so much, though, in low light (at least, if you're trying to catch action).

[aam1234]

I'm dying to get hold of one from amazon. Sorry guys, I don't care what others say about it, this is my "ultimate" lens (for my needs).

I sounded too enthusiastic, didn't I.

[JZaun]

Was wondering how you feel about your 100-400 lens. . .I am thinking about buying one and was wondering your thoughts. . .thanks, keith


:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
I sleep with mine :D :D

Eat with it :D :D :D

Take it to the John with me :D :D :D

I guess its ok :?

:D

JZ


You gonna love it... Just go ahead get it!!!!

[Scottes]

Pure, unadulterated love. As I just said in another 100-400 thread, if I could have only one lens it would be the 100-400.

[keith1959]

I may have to break down and get this lens

[aam1234]

while I don't have that lens yet, I'd like to say something about it. For some the push/pull is an advantage. Hate the "twist" thing, soo slow.

[Scottes]

I don't think you'll find many who don't like this lens. Versatile, zoom, short minimum focus distance, IS modes 1 & 2, damn sharp, very light, small, reasonably priced...

I think the biggest issue that people have with this lens might be the push-pull zoom. And that's bearable, just annoying sometimes.

It's not perfect, but IMHO it's the closest I've ever seen in a lens.

Take a look at another recent thread here, titled something about "100-400 vs 400 prime for wildlife" for some views between the two. It's a tough choice between them, depending on what you shoot. I'd like both.

[aam1234]

Hi Scottes,

"I think the biggest issue that people have with this lens might be the push-pull zoom"

Never understood that, heard it a lot though. I find the push/pull to be an advantage.

[keith1959]

I'll check out the other threads. . . .and the push/pull thing may take some getting use to. . . I mainly shoot airshows so I am hoping it would be a good lens for aviation and that kind of thing

[photomd]

I love this lens. Sharp, clear and a wonderful lens to use. It took a few hours to get used to the push/pull zoom. After that it became instinctive.

[IanD]

It is the lens that gets the most work on the 10D. I would say that 98% of my wildlife is shot with the 100-400. Razor sharp ( when I do my part )
and the AF is very fast. OK so it ain't a light weight but performance os what it is all about. Buy it!

[johneo]

I'll check out the other threads. . . .and the push/pull thing may take some getting use to. . . I mainly shoot airshows so I am hoping it would be a good lens for aviation and that kind of thing


First let me say that the 100-400 L is a very nice lens and takes very nice photos ... WHAT? ...


WOOOOO HOOOOO! :shock: :shock: :shock: I LOVE THIS LENS! :shock: :shock: :shock:

It's great for airshows! I shot the local airshow back in June and am blown away with a number of my shots (site is down now but I'll see if I can post a few later tonight)

As for the push/pull ...does take a little getting used to and I do like it but it is not as smooth as twisting a lens to zoom. It's more of a jerky motion and when you try to do it fast it usually ends up shaking the camera around more than you need.

But for the quality photos this lens gives I really don't think there is a better lens in this size (not that I've tried any ... just keep convincing myself :D )

[mjordan]

Like the others, I love this lens as well. I don't think the push/pull is as percise as the twist, it's either too loose or too tight and you have to get use to making small adjustments.

I used it last weekend at the Hillsboro, Oregon airshow. The lens did great, even with the clouds and very smoke filled sky that we didn't have any wind to blow away. Here one:

http://www.sitnprettyphoto.com/display/blue2593.jpg

and here are a few more.
http://www.sitnprettyphoto.com/display/blue2627.jpg
http://www.sitnprettyphoto.com/display/blue2665.jpg
http://www.sitnprettyphoto.com/display/blue2704.jpg

Weight and size wise (when closed) is on par with my 70-200 2.8L IS lens. I usually carry it in it's case on my belt when it's not on the camera.

Mike

[defordphoto]

Removed by RFMSports

[Belmondo]

Mmm...it's okay I guess. ;)

This one I sold to FHM magazine, due to be released 8/31:


Isn't it just about time for Scott Berger to drag out that amazing picture of the girl with those dark dark eyes?

[Scottes]

Isn't it just about time for Scott Berger to drag out that amazing picture of the girl with those dark dark eyes?

ROFLMAO! I guess that it has been a while since RFM and Scott posted those most famous 100-400 pics!

[keith1959]

sorry I missed his pics. . . . ok, you guys convinced me. . . B&H got my order. . .thanks to all who persuaded me

[robertwgross]

I'm happy with mine, too.

On this note, let me interject a related inquiry.

Some of you wildlife shooters may find the 100-400L to be a little short, and you have applied a teleconverter. Me, too.

I have the standard Canon 1.4x TC, and it works fine with long L lenses, and I also have a Tamron 1.4x TC that seems to work. Today, when I was going after some small birds that were way out there, I applied both the Canon 1.4 and the Tamron 1.4x. That works, although probably not perfectly.

I'm thinking maybe I need to get the Canon 2x TC. Does anybody have a better solution?

---Bob Gross---

[eric1]

I'm happy with mine, too.

On this note, let me interject a related inquiry.

Some of you wildlife shooters may find the 100-400L to be a little short, and you have applied a teleconverter. Me, too.

I have the standard Canon 1.4x TC, and it works fine with long L lenses, and I also have a Tamron 1.4x TC that seems to work. Today, when I was going after some small birds that were way out there, I applied both the Canon 1.4 and the Tamron 1.4x. That works, although probably not perfectly.

I'm thinking maybe I need to get the Canon 2x TC. Does anybody have a better solution?

---Bob Gross---

Bob, my tamron converter will AF with the 5.6 aperature of the 400. the Canon will not. whats your experience?

[robertwgross]

Bob, my tamron converter will AF with the 5.6 aperature of the 400. the Canon will not. whats your experience?

The same, I think. However, my Canon 1.4x TC seems to be sharper. By that, I mean that my results seem sharper with it on the 100-400L as compared to Tamron 1.4x.

But I am thinking that the Canon 2x TC should be better than a combination.

---Bob Gross---

[eric1]

yes the 2X would be better than stacking. i think it costs the same as the 1.4. i guess we really need the 600 f4. maybe i'll sell my car. like to see them make a 500 5.6 for < 2K.

[defordphoto]

Removed by RFMSports

[johneo]

I'll check out the other threads. . . .and the push/pull thing may take some getting use to. . . I mainly shoot airshows so I am hoping it would be a good lens for aviation and that kind of thing

Here are a few of my airshow shots from June, all with the 100-400 L ...
Yeah, :D I love my 100-400 L IS! :D

http://members.cox.net/johneo/f194377f.jpg
http://members.cox.net/johneo/f194404f.jpg
http://members.cox.net/johneo/f194020f.jpg

These were cropped and resized some but no other editing

Just got the 1st one printed at 8x10. Not really into jets but I like this one and it'll be hanging over my desk.

[keith1959]

great shots!. . .

[defordphoto]

Removed by RFMSports

[CyberDyneSystems]

Just get the 100-400mm lens!

It quickly became my most used lens!

Period.

I still like my 500m Prime.. but the convenience and lightweight of the 100-400mm makes it a much easier to deploy lens!

[xuxu1]

I´m glad i got that one! It´s a great lens. You´ll love it.

http://members.aon.at/aircanon/g5pics/ze700_bae146.jpg

http://members.aon.at/aircanon/g5pics/g-jeam.jpg

Regards
Ed

[CyberDyneSystems]

Mmm...it's okay I guess. ;)

This one I sold to FHM magazine, due to be released 8/31:


Isn't it just about time for Scott Berger to drag out that amazing picture of the girl with those dark dark eyes?

Nooooooooooooooooo........

Anything but THAT! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[nucki]

I'm also very happy with it! It makes extrem sharp pictures. Sometimes the AF hunts a little at the far 400 end, but thats negligible.

best regards
Peter

[Jon]

You can't have mine!!!

[robertwgross]

You know the white case that comes with the 100-400L lens?

I was shooting a wedding, and a Nikon guy asked me where I got the case. I told him it came with the lens. Then he asked me how much I would take for it (meaning, the case)!

---Bob Gross---

[cmM]

I HATE this lens.
.
.
.
.
.
.
because I don't have it... yet

Seriously, I've heard nothing but good things about this lens.

[Jon]

You know the white case that comes with the 100-400L lens?

I was shooting a wedding, and a Nikon guy asked me where I got the case. I told him it came with the lens. Then he asked me how much I would take for it (meaning, the case)!

---Bob Gross---

Canon's asking $60 but B&H has it for $45 - if he's still interested, you could be the middle-man for, say, $75.

[samdring]

I have a reasonably large gobbit of fluff inside the business end of the lens on mine (no effect at all that I have seen) but wonder about the metallic ping as IS comes in (and out). If this is not common (the ping not the gobbit) then may put in for repair.

[Scottes]

I often hear a mild "clunk" of sorts when IS kicks on - especially when the lens is in motion when IS turns on. I don't hear any kind of metallic noise, like a ping, though.

I have a gobbit, too. I think. Doesn't bother me either.

[johneo]

You know the white case that comes with the 100-400L lens?

I was shooting a wedding, and a Nikon guy asked me where I got the case. I told him it came with the lens. Then he asked me how much I would take for it (meaning, the case)!

---Bob Gross---


You got a White case for the 100-400 L?
Mine was sort of a silver/gray & black though it probably should have been white to match the lens.

To bad it is such a nice case because it doesn't fit in my bag ... what was he offering? :D

[mjordan]

I like the case that came with my 100-400 and 70-200 2.8L IS. It's a off white case and I put one on my belt with the belt loop. This leaves it handy for putting a lens in when I swap lenses but keeps the weight off my neck as my camera bag usually has other stuff that is heavy enough.

I've thought about getting the 1.4x for it, but haven't gotten around to doing that yet. It doesn't seem like it adds a lot of reach to it though.

Mike

[defordphoto]

Removed by RFMSports

[robertwgross]

You got a White case for the 100-400 L?
Mine was sort of a silver/gray & black though it probably should have been white to match the lens.

To bad it is such a nice case because it doesn't fit in my bag ... what was he offering? :D

The case is sort of a silver-white with black trim. I put it on a two-inch black nylon web belt.

He wasn't offering. He simply asked me what I would take for it. I should have told him the B&H price for the whole lens.

---Bob Gross---

[keith1959]

I am curious as to how good optically it is over 300mm?

[CyberDyneSystems]

I am curious as to how good optically it is over 300mm?

Which 300mm?

The 300mm f/4L IS?

It's not better .. really the 300mm f/4L is supremely sharp...

But the 100-400mm just happens to be one of the best supertelephoto zooms around. And if portability is considered.. then it has to be THE best.

But if your talking about the Canon zooms to 300mm... any of them.. then the 100-400mm is going to blow it away.

[randyk]

I am curious as to how good optically it is over 300mm?

I have heard mixed results. Not sure if its in the eye of the beholder or if there are true quality differences but some people say its too soft over say 325mm. Others say its very sharp. Maybe the ones who say its soft base this judgement on wide open while others that say its sharp stop it down.

I was in the process of buying this lens used and examined some pics at 400mm at various apertures 5.6, 8 and 11. I saw very little difference. But I didn't see the same pics at shorter focal lengths so can't comment if they were sharper than at 400mm.

I do think its safe to say its not as sharp as the EF70-200's but I haven't done a direct comparison.

[defordphoto]

Removed by RFMSports

[johneo]

The case is sort of a silver-white with black trim. I put it on a two-inch black nylon web belt.

---Bob Gross---

You know, after I sent that reply saying mine was a silver gray case I went back to work and I was sitting there thinking ... What color is my case? I never used it and within a few days of getting it I put it away but now I do remember it being a white color case and of good quality like the lens. I remember thinking it would be nice for use as a smaller camera case.

I'll have to dig it out when I get home ... got me curious.

[randyk]

The members of this forum have proven time and time again that the 100-400L is one freaking sharp lens, no matter what the naysayers say. I have said time and again, and will say yet again that it's one of, if not the, most underrated lens in Canon's incredible line of glass.

Jim, your shots look great and I have seen plenty of others that also were very good. Why do you think others say it is soft on the long end?

[robertwgross]

I'll have to dig it out when I get home ... got me curious.

There's a Nikon guy in San Jose, CA that wants to buy one!

Charge him the L lens price for the case alone. I get a commission.

---Bob Gross---

[defordphoto]

Removed by RFMSports

[mjordan]

Jim, Great picture. I almost ordered the 1.4 a month ago but didn't as I had to order a bunch of other stuff and decided to cut back on the total a bit. I'll have to put it back on the list before my trip to Colorado in Oct.

I plan on running up the Gorge tomorrow. It's suppose to be cloudy finally and I want to see what kind of pictures I can get with my polorizer and the cloud formations... if it's not solid cloud cover. I'll probably go up the Washington side as that is a lot prettier than I84 on the Oregon side.

Yes, I still want to hit that area with you and see how that MKII does. I've not seen one in person yet, but I'd sure like to get one.

I'd still like to get to the Sprint Boat races one of these times too.

Mike

[xuxu1]

You can't have mine!!!

... and not mine either!

Exception--- You pay me more for it than i did :lol: :lol: :lol:

Regards
Ed

[planesh00ter]

There is nothing cooler than panning a plane at the airport and switching on the IS... makes me feel like a photographer !!!!!
:shock:

[xuxu1]

There is nothing cooler than panning a plane at the airport and switching on the IS... makes me feel like a photographer !!!!!
:shock:

But only under these two conditions:

1) It´s (at least) a second generation IS (switchable position no. 2 for panning)
2) You dont´t have the lens on a tripod. A early modell L lens such as the 100-400L IS does´nt have the automatic IS recognition system. That´s why you should turn the IS off when on a tripod.

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :eyes

Regards
Ed

[karusel]

I'm getting mine in a week and I already love it... :lol:

[mjordan]

You can tell there has been a slow down in those buying the 100-400 lens. About this time we usually get a bunch of full moon pictures from people that just got their lens. We've not had any in several full moons. Could it be that there is a 100-400 replacement coming out and people are holding off buying this lens?


Or has it just been cloudy everywhere? :lol:

Mike

[xuxu1]

You can tell there has been a slow down in those buying the 100-400 lens. About this time we usually get a bunch of full moon pictures from people that just got their lens. We've not had any in several full moons. Could it be that there is a 100-400 replacement coming out and people are holding off buying this lens?


Or has it just been cloudy everywhere? :lol:

Mike

Really? Why do you know? :o
Did everybody who bought that lens show you a pic of the full moon? :roll: Well maybe most of the new owners of that lens don´t even care to take moon pics! :shock:

Well tomorrow Aug. 30th. we have full moon again. But if the weather forecast for my area is correct, then there will be no full moon pictures. +#@x weather :evil: :evil: :evil:

Oh yeah... there may be people out there waiting forever. :oops: Always waiting for the newest lens, camera and whatsoever. Others don´t care about new stuff and just buy/use the available stuff to take beautiful pics. :P

Regards
Ed

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[karusel]

I'm quite sure the replacement is coming, but I won't wait any longer.

[scsmith10D]

Oh yeah... there may be people out there waiting forever. :oops: Always waiting for the newest lens, camera and whatsoever. Others don´t care about new stuff and just buy/use the available stuff to take beautiful pics.


I'm waiting for the financial window to buy the lens. I have to get over the Ryder Cup trip and other summer vacations, prepare for Christmas, get over Christmas, and get the lens before the next local air show, which I am tasked to shoot for a local ad agency and the air show promoters.

Hey...they should buy me the lens!