100-400mm Canon L info

[JR92]

I am going to get rid of my Sigma collection (They work, but I want the faster aperature and the clarity of the Canon L) I just want input on what people think about the Canon 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L IS. Does it still react quickly and let in a lot of light? I shoot alot of wildlife and would use a 2x converter, if so can I use automatic focus or only manual. I usually use manual for all of my sports, but with a monster lens it is tough getting way out there are still getting a crisp photo. I guess that is where the IS hopefully will come in and eliminate the shake even with a tri-pod. I just want the 100-400 for my wildlife and outdoor sports then hopefully get a 70 or 80-200mm 2.8 IS for indoor sports.
I guess I basically want to know if those who own the 100-400 are happy, even on hazing dull days and bright blarring sun shots. It needs to be a lens for all elements.
Thanks for your input,
JR92.

[SteveCliff]

I don't know much about the 100-400 L IS (I would like to though!) but on my 28-135 IS it suggests that if the lens is mounted on a tripod that you turn the IS off. It seems to get a bit upset trying to sort out the shake when there isn't any shake to sort out ..... ?

[Phil Hall]

I have a 100-400 L IS on order but have been using a 70-200 L IS with a 2x converter. The images are really good, with the 2X converter it is best o stop down to f8 or smaller. The IS means that you will rarely need a tripod.

The 28-135 IS gives slightly better color but does not zoom in on thhhose criturs as well as the 70-200. I have dumped my sigma and Tamron lenses and am much happier wth the Canon lenses.

Phil Hall

santa Ynez CA

[JR92]

Thanks Guys; I am really looking forward to the 70 or 80-200mm IS, but for the criters I will be shooting pictures of I need the monster lens, too bad I can't afford it though. I will have to settle for the Canon 100-400mm IS. I am heading up to Wyoming (Jackson) next month (I live in remote N. Calif.) to take pictures of huge bull elk, buffalo, eagles, wolves and hopefully a grizzly that is not hibernating, and a select herd of mule bucks. I have is a nice Sigma 50-500 6.3-8 with a Sigma 2x converter. It works great on a well lit day, but January up in Wyoming may prevent me from any well lit days. Just have to cross my fingers. I have a guide so the pitcure taking will be good, hell it better he is alomost as much as a new lens.
Thanks for the input again,
JR92

[Roger_Cavanagh]

I have the 100-400. Steve is right that the IS should be turned off when tripod mounted; that's not true of the 70-200IS, which can work out for itself that it's on a tripod.

I have just bought the 1.4x converter, but haven't shot much with it yet on the 100-400. (It works great on the 70-200). The 2x converter will cost you 2 stops, this means that the AF will not work on the longer lens. You have to go manual, or use the tape over the contacts trick, which I've never tried. It's supposed to work, but will cause a lot of hunting. It's also reported that the 2x will degrade the image significantly more than the 1.4x.

I'm very happy with the 100-400. The push-pull zoom takes a bit of getting used to. Set the switch for longer focusing helps speed of focus, but on the D30 that's still nothing to write home about (as we all knw :) ).

If you check the Rye Harbor galleries (2) and the Seabird gallery from this page http://www.pixelpixel.org/galleries.htm, there are mostly shots with this lens.

Regards,

[chris maddock]

The tape trick does work with the 1.4x and the 100-400, provided that the subject and light are reasonably contrasty. I've used it a fair bit and haven't been disappointed. I have found that manually focussing first and using the AF to get the final "tweak" tends to reduce the hunting - I suppose it's because the camera hasn't got to do so much work to get focus as it has if the focus is completely out to start with.
I can't speak for the 2x, though. I don't have the Canon one, and my third-party 2x doesn't tell the camera that it is present - so the AF does try without the tape trick, although it's not as successful as the 1.4x with the tape, which isn't surprising given the extra stop of light loss.

KRs
Chris

[Mr. Fogle]

I am a little confused. You say you want the canon lense for better light. You have a Sigma, whitch is faster than the canon, 4-6.3. We all hear that the canon is a better lens. The IS is a good thing, so I am told. I think I would be looking at the new Sigma. Comes with IS and zooms out to 800mm, drop a 1.4 on that baby. Just my opinion. Michael.

[JR92]

I have taken pictures with my camera on the same settings with my Sigma 50-500 and my friends Canon 100-400 IS while shooting the same subject and the light is terribly different. I have also tried it in a basketball gym with a Sigma 28-300 and a Canon L 70-200 and the difference went to benefit Canon once again. Despite the aperature being different it is in my best intrest to go with Canon. Believe me if I could get away with Sigma I would, but in the business of selling -lighter photos of crucial subjects play a major role.

[usul]

Mr. Fogle wrote:
I am a little confused. You say you want the canon lense for better light. You have a Sigma, whitch is faster than the canon, 4-6.3. We all hear that the canon is a better lens. The IS is a good thing, so I am told. I think I would be looking at the new Sigma. Comes with IS and zooms out to 800mm, drop a 1.4 on that baby. Just my opinion. Michael.

The Sigma 80-400 OS lens looks nice, but it is not available yet. Also this is Sigmas first stabilized lens. I want to see some tests first, if this really work. Also it must be much cheaper then the Canon to be interesting.

[Rebel0716]

Just bought one how is it haven't tried it really yet.

[Snydremark]

"Let in LOTS of light"? No...at 400mm, you have a max aperture of f/5.6 and that doesn't give you a lot to work with if you're trying to keep your shutter speeds up appropriately (1/400+), without upping your ISO.

That being said, the 100-400 is by FAR my favorite lens in my bag and gets WELL used. It will work with a 2x TC, but manual focus only (reliably);

The IS system on this lens helps some, but is quite old and only rated at around 2 stops or so. It's nicer than not having it, but could use an update.

As for fast reaction, it was easily capable of catching this guy:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1298/4704941515_b3818dc90c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snydremark/4704941515/)
minihydro-9579 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snydremark/4704941515/) by Guideon72 (http://www.flickr.com/people/snydremark/), on Flickr

As for handling dreary situations, this was taken from a boat (and heavily cropped), during a cloudy, downpour (note the raindrops around):
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4689643607_09e0c56639_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snydremark/4689643607/)
Orcas newLR-0550 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/snydremark/4689643607/) by Guideon72 (http://www.flickr.com/people/snydremark/), on Flickr

It's a plenty capable lens that has a few foibles to learn, but then it's a champ :)

[JuliusUpNorth]

I,too, love my 100-400 the best--it is my walk-around lens here in the Yukon because of bird and wildlife opportunities. If I could only have one lens, this would be it...

Julius

[gator1970]

You'll have to go back to 2003 and tell the OP - it's the last time he posted...

[Snydremark]

DAMMIT!! Trolled by thread resurrection again :(

[crn3371]

I think this is the oldest thread revival I've seen.

[S.Horton]

Just bought one how is it haven't tried it really yet.

The last post was almost 9 years ago.

[MGW172]

Just bought one how is it haven't tried it really yet.

Okay Rebel0716, I have to know....did you know this thread was this old?

Talk about bringing something back from the dead!

[S.Horton]

Well, as long as we're here, I own that lens, and it is very nice.

[JuliusUpNorth]

But lots of us fell for it--I guess it pays to check the dates...

Julius

[JCG11]

I just posted this to the 70-300L thread, so may as well post it here. It looks like this lens runs about the same price range as the 70-300L. I'm wondering what else to consider besides giving up 30 on the short end for another 100 on the long end. Seems to be a pretty good trade for the same money?

[fstop72]

Shoot birds 5dMK2. I broke my sigma 50-500 with 1.4x & 2x didn't like the 2x.

I have a 100-400 I bought a canon 1.4x AF seems slow so I use the focus ring for final adjustment.

I have a separate issue with my 100-400 manual focus will not record any data??? (no picture) other lens's OK.

[Snydremark]

Shoot birds 5dMK2. I broke my sigma 50-500 with 1.4x & 2x didn't like the 2x.

I have a 100-400 I bought a canon 1.4x AF seems slow so I use the focus ring for final adjustment.

I have a separate issue with my 100-400 manual focus will not record any data??? (no picture) other lens's OK.

I'm not certain what you're saying/asking here, but I'll take a swing at it and hope it helps.

The 100-400L will only AF properly on a 1 series camera body; there are ways to get around that, but, as you've noted AF will be quite slow. This is a limitation of the system, not a problem with the lens.

There is no way manual FOCUS will prevent the lens from transferring light to the sensor; if you're getting no image there is another problem somewhere. If you have more details on your settings, etc, when you get no picture recorded we can give you more help there.

[fstop72]

Thank you

Figured out my no picture problem the fstop was open to wide andgave me an overexposure screen.

[Snydremark]

cool; glad you got it sorted out

[harcosparky]

So a user actually uses the SEARCH function and gets beat up for reviving an old thread.

Imagine if he did not search and created a new thread.

How many would jump on him, telling him to use the SEARCH function.

SEARCH <---- damned if you do, damned if you don't ! ;)



.

[gator1970]

Yeah - but the reviver was responding to a QUESTION that was 9 years old, not looking for info or asking for current opinions, lol, it was a trolling expedition pure and simple....