Anybody Using 100-400 for Outdoor Sports? (Examples)

[Beski]

I have had the 100-400 on my "Wish List" for the past year, and with only 10 days left on the current $100 Canon Rebate I may pull the trigger soon to get ready for the Spring Thaw.

I have read the reviews on countless forums and checked out the sample images, but there appears to be alot more birds and zoo animals compared to action shots and sports.

In addition to birds and animals, I was looking to get the 100-400 for baseball and lacross this spring and then soccer and football next fall. Has anybody used this lens for outdoor action sports? I have also seen a few great air show shots, and I figure the average athlete is slower then the Stealth Fighter Plane, so I should be good !! :D

How quick has the focus been when tracking a moving subject and using the AI Servo mode outdoors with sun light?

Can you post some sports samples or provide me a link ?

Thanks,
Tom

[S.Horton]

It will do just fine.

You posted, you know you want it.

There are aggressive crops.

http://midnightblue.smugmug.com/photos/154704119-L.jpg

http://midnightblue.smugmug.com/photos/153119146-L-1.jpg

http://midnightblue.smugmug.com/photos/187787556-L.jpg

[shaktipalooza]

http://mrs-h.smugmug.com/photos/178693829-L.jpg
http://mrs-h.smugmug.com/photos/178694252-L.jpg
http://mrs-h.smugmug.com/photos/178694897-L.jpg

[ben_r_]

Seems like if there was enough light outside it should be fine.

[illusionest]

i use it for sports and its perfectly fine.
Most of the time sports take place during sunny weather, so yeah, the aperture will do fine.

[ibdb]

It's a very versatile outdoor sport lens.

In a AAA stadium just to the right of the netting behind home plate @ 320mm (EXIF imbedded). This was an overcast day with a few rain showers passing through.

http://abergseyeview.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p85380780-4.jpg

[Torcidas]

I found (in Croatia) for use this lens at 400mm f5.6 I need to put iso up to 1600. Will post you few pictures later this day when come home...

[Beski]

You posted, you know you want it.

Thank for the replies and sample shots....Please keep them coming !!

And, YES, I do want this Lens...it's already in my B&H Cart as we speak....just getting up the nerve to pull the trigger !! :)

[MaDProFF]

it is a fantastic lens if you have light to work with

[Adamora]

Keep em comin :D

[MaDProFF]

But it is good for other things as well :) taken with a 40D

[Strick]

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q127/stricksv/WERA--GNF-8.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q127/stricksv/windsurfer-9.jpg

[SYS]

242674



242675

[khaidottk]

Are you going to be shooting at all during the dusk/night? Football for me requires 1/500 at f/2.8 and 3200ISO.

[Beski]

Are you going to be shooting at all during the dusk/night? Football for me requires 1/500 at f/2.8 and 3200ISO.

No, I don't plan any dusk/night shots.....

For High School Football - 1:30 on Saturdays

For High School Lacross and Baseball, usually weekdays at 3:45 and Saturdays at 1:00

[RTMiller]

100-400L - 1/500, f7.1, 100 ISO.
I think it's a great outdoor sports lens.

http://rtmiller.smugmug.com/photos/208330046-XL-1.jpg

[Adamora]

Amazing pictures everyone :D keep em coming, we might make the archive.

[dragulaz]

Here's a couple of mine...

Racing...
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/applegbt/Racing/LagunaSeca2007-60.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/applegbt/Racing/LagunaSeca2007-199-1.jpg

And Soccer...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/applegbt/2007NKUTournGame3-24-Edit.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/applegbt/2007NKUTournGame3-105-Edit.jpg

[Adamora]

Here's a couple of mine...

Racing...
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/applegbt/Racing/LagunaSeca2007-60.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/applegbt/Racing/LagunaSeca2007-199-1.jpg

And Soccer...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/applegbt/2007NKUTournGame3-24-Edit.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/applegbt/2007NKUTournGame3-105-Edit.jpg

now Thats proof that this lens can handle the speed of sports/cars.

[Nanboh]

Bret--your soccer shots are great! I really want this lens!

[shadowcat]

The 100-400 is better for birding than sports the push pull can get old fast doing sports i would say get a 70-200 2.8L is with a 2X it may be more expensive but clearer and easier to zoom. I have it and bought the 70-200 to replace it and will some day buy a 400 2.8L to reach the rest of the way out.

[andrewhuxman]

now Thats proof that this lens can handle the speed of sports/cars.

And also fast moving aircraft :D

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t47/ahuxman58/IMG_0385.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t47/ahuxman58/IMG_6567.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t47/ahuxman58/Picture-001-1.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t47/ahuxman58/IMG_1110.jpg

[dragulaz]

The 100-400 is better for birding than sports the push pull can get old fast doing sports i would say get a 70-200 2.8L is with a 2X it may be more expensive but clearer and easier to zoom. I have it and bought the 70-200 to replace it and will some day buy a 400 2.8L to reach the rest of the way out.

I couldn't disagree more. I find it much faster to zoom with a push pull.

[BoySpot]

Works for me. Some of these didn't even have light that was too good.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b227/boyspot/RBSAF%20Cubs%20Outing%202007/QB5Y5896.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b227/boyspot/RBSAF%20Cubs%20Outing%202007/QB5Y5946.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b227/boyspot/Family/Mums%20Visit%20July%202006/QB5Y8342.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b227/boyspot/Family/Mums%20Visit%20July%202006/QB5Y8428.jpg

[Beski]

Thanks to everybody for their sample shots !! (I especially liked the plane and car shots were the panning created great background blur, but still a clear moving subject to show speed).

OK, so now that I know I can shoot outdoor sports in good light, I have to get over the fear of getting a bad copy on a $1,300L lens.....it seems like that is talked about more on the 100-400 compared to some others. So I am almost ready to pull the trigger.....I will probably decide for sure over the weekend.

Any more sports shots out there ??

[oomus]

I have had the 100-400 on my "Wish List" for the past year, and with only 10 days left on the current $100 Canon Rebate I may pull the trigger soon to get ready for the Spring Thaw.

I have read the reviews on countless forums and checked out the sample images, but there appears to be alot more birds and zoo animals compared to action shots and sports.

In addition to birds and animals, I was looking to get the 100-400 for baseball and lacross this spring and then soccer and football next fall. Has anybody used this lens for outdoor action sports? I have also seen a few great air show shots, and I figure the average athlete is slower then the Stealth Fighter Plane, so I should be good !! :D

How quick has the focus been when tracking a moving subject and using the AI Servo mode outdoors with sun light?

Can you post some sports samples or provide me a link ?

Thanks,
Tom


Ill send some up when I get home as the website doesnt display the exif data and there is no way to link to the flash images anyway.

or if you look at the front rotator images on my website, the First image, the drag boats and the Jimmy Johnson #48 are for sure are the 100-400 L IS lens.

[Adamora]

Flashback!

[tonylong]

Flashback!

Heh! That seems to be happening a lot lately! Must be a rash of short-term memory loss sufferers:)!

[bobbyz]

#1
http://www.bobbyzphotography.com/img/v2/p274911902-5.jpg

#2
http://www.bobbyzphotography.com/img/v2/p8980757-5.jpg

#3
http://www.bobbyzphotography.com/img/v1/p841676386-5.jpg

The AF on that lens is slow so be prepared to miss shots. This is even when using 1 series.

[SBK1]

I took these shots last weekend. Sun was poking in and out all day and hence the WB was all over the place. When possible,I like cropping my shots tight so it eliminates the background. In soccer, I mainly shoot in TV mode trying to stay above 1/500 or higher. I also like shooting in the 5.6 range as well as long as the light permits. I was using the 100-400 IS on all these shots. Daughter plays for CUP in Cincinnati in the gold/black uniforms.

180 mm 1/500 at f/5.6 ISO 100
http://sixxpakk33.zenfolio.com/img/v7/p176753407-4.jpg

400 mm 1/1250 at f/5.6 ISO 400
http://sixxpakk33.zenfolio.com/img/v8/p50249371-4.jpg

138 mm 1/800 at f/4.5 ISO 160
http://sixxpakk33.zenfolio.com/img/v8/p143257890-4.jpg

220 mm 1/640 at f/5.6 ISO 160
http://sixxpakk33.zenfolio.com/img/v7/p92268939-4.jpg

[DennisW1]

Some Smugmug galleries of Motorsports shots.

Either the 100-400 or 70-200 lenses were used, the 100-400 often with a 1.4 extender

http://dennisw.smugmug.com/gallery/5776069_DjMKU#357408588_Eszpk

http://dennisw.smugmug.com/gallery/5776069_DjMKU#357408588_Eszpk

http://dennisw.smugmug.com/gallery/5775841_ZazGS#357392251_rRYbR

http://dennisw.smugmug.com/gallery/5775841_ZazGS#357392251_rRYbR

[SBK1]

Dennis,
Do you like the IQ of 100-400 with the 1.4 TC ? You using MkI or II ?

[stonyzmom]

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/8133/lmc3280978.jpg

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/3174/lmc3280979.jpg

I love this lens. The only thing you need to remember is that IT'S HEAVY. I'm still learning to use mine and loving every second of it.

[Roy Webber]

Kiteboarding Fuerteventura

[clarence]

Kiteboarding Fuerteventura

Nice!

[Roy Webber]

Thanks Clarence :-)

[Roy Webber]

2 more from yesterday :cool:
More Images (http://roywebber.zenfolio.com/)

[Bave]

Any more 100-400 sports shots?

[dwarrenr]

Here are a few more:

The first one if a little oof, but the action required that I keep it. ;-)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1394/5114277567_0c763d856c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwrphotography/5114277567/)
Butler vs Morehead-3028 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwrphotography/5114277567/) by warren.robison (http://www.flickr.com/people/dwrphotography/), on Flickr

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1121/5114209715_f58642d0b8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwrphotography/5114209715/)
Butler vs Morehead-1944 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwrphotography/5114209715/) by warren.robison (http://www.flickr.com/people/dwrphotography/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5109380370_a0ac191d38_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwrphotography/5109380370/)
Butler vs Morehead-9408 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwrphotography/5109380370/) by warren.robison (http://www.flickr.com/people/dwrphotography/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5114704614_2869d0af97_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwrphotography/5114704614/)
Butler Men's Soccer vs. Loyola-30 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwrphotography/5114704614/) by warren.robison (http://www.flickr.com/people/dwrphotography/), on Flickr

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1104/5114667738_35bbe318af_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwrphotography/5114667738/)
Butler Lady's Soccer vs. Cleavland State-9501 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwrphotography/5114667738/) by warren.robison (http://www.flickr.com/people/dwrphotography/), on Flickr

It is a heavy lens. For football, not a big deal. But for soccer you'll always want to bring along a mono-pod. It is a little awkward pushing and pulling for the zoom at first. And I always have to keep unlocking it. :( It is a sharp lens, but could have been designed a lot better IMHO>

[keevilp]

Beski

I am a Sports Shooter in the UK. I shoot Soccer (Football League) and Rugby (Both Union and League).

I started with the 100-400 IS and found it more than reasonable. Admittedly it was tough getting images published against those Newspaper TOGs who used the 300mm F2.8 but it is a very good lens.

If you are shooting from behind the goal line (in soccer) you should be able to cover the arc from the half way line.

I tended not to go the full 400mm as you do need to increase the ISO - but this lens can be used quite nicely with a neat piece of software called Noise Ninja.

BTW Love your Avatar. I have been following "The Boss" for the last 20+ years. Seen him about 10 times. Seems you are right on his doorstep :)

[orena]

Kiteboarding Fuerteventura

mannn i gotta surf fuerteventura...

im looking to pick up the 100-400 for kitesurfing photography as well but can't get my eyes off of the 70-300

[jft158]

100-400 with a Kenko 2x on a Mark III

http://i315.photobucket.com/albums/ll442/jtcm594/6af6b7f3.jpg

http://i315.photobucket.com/albums/ll442/jtcm594/f6f02db9.jpg

[Mike R]

This is just great, Now I want one! Thanks to everyone who posted an image for helping me clean out my wallet.