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View Full Version : Just ordered the 400 f5.6 L :)

GyRob
9th of July 2005 (Sat), 04:39
And thanks to all that gave info on this lens to help me make my mind up .
Rob.
tommykjensen
9th of July 2005 (Sat), 04:41
I am sure You will be very happy with this lens :-)
condyk
9th of July 2005 (Sat), 04:54
Ok fella ... very nice purchase. Let's see some test shots asap. Very cool lens, but does it achieve the hype? Be interested to see proof that I am missing out sticking to zooms.
xuxu1
9th of July 2005 (Sat), 04:55
Congrats on your decision. Have fun and enjoy.

ED
tommykjensen
9th of July 2005 (Sat), 04:56
Ok fella ... very nice purchase. Let's see some test shots asap. Very cool lens, but does it achieve the hype? Be interested to see proof that I am missing out sticking to zooms.

Hmm have You missed all the photos posted by IanD shot with this lens?
condyk
9th of July 2005 (Sat), 05:00
No ... I have seen them! As I say ' be interested to see proof that I am missing out sticking to zooms.' These shots aren't proof enough for me of cost/benefit ... and I have searched for others believe me. I would like this lens, but ... I need my socks blowing off first :lol: :lol: :lol:
tommykjensen
9th of July 2005 (Sat), 05:06
No ... I have seen them! As I say ' be interested to see proof that I am missing out sticking to zooms.' These shots aren't proof enough for me of cost/benefit ... and I have searched for others believe me. I would like this lens, but ... I need my socks blowing off first :lol: :lol: :lol:

Ok ok :lol:
xuxu1
9th of July 2005 (Sat), 05:14
' These shots aren't proof enough for me of cost/benefit ...

Unbelievable! :shock:
Shame on you! :mrgreen:

ED
RbrtPtikLeoSeny
9th of July 2005 (Sat), 09:50
Condyk, http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=53984 those blew my socks off! Pretty sure that guy uses the 400 f/5.6 exclusively for bird shots, and he has loads of em. Run a search for his other threads. He's got plenty to pick from. :)

Congrats on the purchase gyrob! Can't wait to see some pics taken with it, and of it. :)
condyk
9th of July 2005 (Sat), 10:38
Yes, a couple of nice ones there. I checked the EXIF tho' and it says taken with Sigma 70-300mm APO Super II ...

Just kidding ... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I like what he says further down about how to take decent bird shots. I went out this PM to Chew Valley Lake, about 40 minutes from me, and did lots of Hide based shooting. Not too many birds around, but I was certainly at 420mm all the way: I think that will be the way with 95% of birding shots I take and so the prime is prime for that kind of shot :D For my African wildlife then I am better with the 100-400mm IS L I think ... and there is the problem. I know the prime will be sharper, but practicality ... well, it is important and I would miss some closer shots if I just had 400mm.

Every single lens has produced a stella image or two. I just want to see as many as I can because this isn't a cheap lens to buy based on one or two good samples, at least for me :)

What I want to see for myself is LOTS of proof across lots of situations. Basically, is the real flexibility benefit of a top quality zoom, like the 100-300mm f4 or the 100-400mm L IS, worth losing to gain an edge on final output quality? It will be a subjective judgement and one made easier for me by seeing more and more stellar images from more users across more situations. I will hold both as possibilityies and just see what I can find from each.

In theory I love the IDEA of this lens and a TCon (a bit slow then tho!!), especially as I've finally taken the plunge to get a decent tripod and ballhead, but the usual argument of 'well, you'll always use your zoom at 400mm anyway', doesn't wash for me and my subjective usage. In Africa I have shot from 100mm to 400mm and would have liked longer at times. Sure, mainly from 300-400mm would be consistent. As I say, birding I think is different.

And I want IS as well :lol: :lol: Hmmm
CyberDyneSystems
9th of July 2005 (Sat), 12:15
Check out Foxbat's squirrel..
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=84333
Sure it's "justa" Squirrel.. :) ...but it clearly illustrates what the lens can do in competent hands ;)
CyberDyneSystems
9th of July 2005 (Sat), 12:22
RE: Pime Vs. Zoom...

Can't argue with the benifits of both...
Simple solution.. keep both.
I shoot with a Prime and a zoom.. I need both.
Vast majority of my bird photos over the last two years were taken with a prime...

But I have my Zoom as well.. and I would not part with it.
RbrtPtikLeoSeny
9th of July 2005 (Sat), 14:13
Condyk, I was just thinking, you already have a great zoom there with a decent f/4 apeture. The 400mm f/5.6 is a couple hundred bucks cheaper than the 100-400L so maybe you should consider picking up a second hand 300D off ebay or something and getting the 400mm f/5.6L to go with it. Then you'd have a great zoom with faster apeture and good reach plus a wicked sharp lens with the extra reach you need. That, and back up cams are pretty useful in general.
condyk
9th of July 2005 (Sat), 14:38
Good pragmatic solution but it's not for me. If you knew how light I travel you would realise that having the gear I have already is causing planning problems. My next big trip will be to Namibia and Botswana and there will be alot of walking involved from a base vehicle. For me a zoom is always top choice when snapping from a vehicle, but a long prime would work well when walking as you can 'zoom' as you walk, within reason.

I'm hoping to just take a Sigma 18-50mm 2.8 ( replacing both my ex Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 and wide-ish Tokina 20-35mm 2.8 ), my Sigma 105mm 2.8 DG Macro (some of the succulents and reptiles are amazing there) and a big lens ... oh, and a toothbrush :lol: :lol:

Currently Canon 100-400mm L IS (for handheld shooting) is top choice, tho' if I'm not too flush then I have just got a light Feisol CF tripod and decent ballhead for use with my 100-300mm F4. I'd rather not take all that tripod stuff tho' but rather use an IS lens instead.

I need to check the options more, esp. primes. The Sigma 80-400mm OS is also an option, cheaper and good quality. Probably an IS 400mm f4 prime with TCon would do it but costs :rolleyes: Who knows what might happen in 4 months: Sigma could put out a £700 500mm f4 prime with OS
GyRob
11th of July 2005 (Mon), 11:39
Now that supliers out of them,thats 2 ive tried to order from at the right price so i will have to wait 3weeks or pay even more , goint to wait :(

Rob.
formula4speed
11th of July 2005 (Mon), 12:16
Now that supliers out of them,thats 2 ive tried to order from at the right price so i will have to wait 3weeks or pay even more , goint to wait :(

Rob.

KEH has new ones in stock, I think they even cost a little less than B&H. Or do what I did and find a used copy and save yourself a good chunk of change. If you decide you want something else you can probably sell it for what you paid.
CyberDyneSystems
11th of July 2005 (Mon), 12:20
Condyk, http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=53984 those blew my socks off! Pretty sure that guy uses the 400 f/5.6 exclusively for bird shots,

...and I just wish owning a 400mm f5.6 would mean I was half the birder Ed is!!!!!!!
GyRob
11th of July 2005 (Mon), 15:04
im in the UK and with vat and inport duty it could cost more.
Rob
HJMinard
11th of July 2005 (Mon), 20:04
All of the shots in this gallery (http://www.pbase.com/hjminard/critters) were taken with the 400 f/5.6 L. While I don't pretend for a second to be "like Ed" ... that lens outperforms my current abilities. Is it better than a zoom (say ... the 100-400 L IS)? Marginally with regard to sharpness, and to a greater extent with regard to autofocus speed. Just depends on your needs.

I'll be quite surprised if you're not happy with your choice, gyrob.

P.S. The built-in hood is way cool!