Picked up a 400mm f5.6L

[RikWriter]

Well, I had been intending to buy a 100-400L, but I found a great deal on a mint 400mm f5.6L...got it for $850 face-to-face, no shipping, so I couldn't turn it down.
I don't know what I am missing with the IS, but so far I REALLY like this lens.

http://www.pbase.com/rikwriter/image/46639149.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/46639348.jpg

[Medic1]

Nice shots....enjoy your new lens

[xuxu1]

Nice lens and good purchase.

So you must have much more steady hands than i do, cause i had to go for the 100-400L :lol:

Kind Regards
ED

[RikWriter]

Nice lens and good purchase.

So you must have much more steady hands than i do, cause i had to go for the 100-400L :lol:


I don't know if it was steadier hands or just a smaller wallet...

[condyk]

I'm going to be looking at a 100-400mm IS L too but this lens is on a shortlist. I wouldn't fancy going without the IS tho' ideally so would need some convincing. I wonder if the shots above are typical of this lens and would be interested in hearing the views of other owners. The shots are nice for a new lens at the 'getting to know it' stage and you must be please with your purchase. I just want to ensure that the possible upgrade is worth it for me.

[Scottes]

Condyk, you might be interested in a post I wrote some time ago, comparing the 100-400mm L to the 400mm L: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=43436

[foxbat]

I wonder if the shots above are typical of this lens and would be interested in hearing the views of other owners. The shots are nice for a new lens at the 'getting to know it' stage and you must be please with your purchase. I just want to ensure that the possible upgrade is worth it for me.Its image quality is flawless and at around $1k it's a steal. Here's some photo's I recently put up in the nature forums:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=87252
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=86944
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=86732
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=86371
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=84333
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=63924

[tommykjensen]

Its image quality is flawless and at around $1k it's a steal. Here's some photo's I recently put up in the nature forums:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=87252
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=86944
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=86732
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=86371
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=84333
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=63924

Awesome photos, somehow I missed about half of them so thanks for posting the links here. The 400 f/5.6L is on my wishlist.

[condyk]

Nice, nice, nice ... images and links. Thanks :D

Scottes review is excellent. Balanced and focused on important stuff like all aspects of handling as well as output quality. Reading it I think I'd get more value from the 100-400 IS L for what I shoot and can also accept a tad of loss of quality. Might help me with African dawn and dusk shots too.

That first link then led to a whole mindmap's worth of related topics around birding and wildlife. Scottes, great 'birding tips' contribution ... and CDS. I'm not a big birder, but in the UK it's something that I am starting to get into mainly for learning and practice and a bit of fresh air!

Seeing foxbat's images has made me decide finally to check out the Hawk Conservancy Centre that's about an hour or so drive from me. I'd seen some of those shots before but not them all. Be good to see if the 100-300mm f4 and TCon can get at least somewhere close ... I like a challenge :lol: ... and if it can get close then I think an upgrade to the 400mm would be less attractive cost wise and then the IS will finally be the right one for me.

[RikWriter]

Took some more shots with the 400...this first one is right out of the camera, just converted from RAW to TIFF, no sharpening.

http://photos21.flickr.com/28272340_030736da36.jpg?v=0

http://photos22.flickr.com/28272339_4f6b202e6d.jpg?v=0

http://www.pbase.com/image/46662275.jpg

[lmelendez]

Hey guys,
STOP POSTING PICTURES.... PLEASE

Or I'll end up buying that lense thinking that the lense does all the magic.... :)

Amazing shots!!!

RikWriter, congratulations!! Enjoy your new toy!!!

[pehabe]

omg... those nice pictures...
I think I could not sleep tonight.
Allright, where is that Canon Catalog, dear? +++splashhh+++

[Keiffer]

Good lord that has got to be one of the sharpest lenes I've seen. Great clarity! Oh and ofcourse nice shots:-)

[formula4speed]

I certainly love my lens, but I'm still craving more legnth and faster speeds. Anyone want to donate a 600 f/4 IS?

[RikWriter]

I certainly love my lens, but I'm still craving more legnth and faster speeds. Anyone want to donate a 600 f/4 IS?


And less weight too! We need Canon to invent a 600mm f4L/IS that is as short and light as the 200!

[CyberDyneSystems]

Congrats Rik,.. looks like you are going to get the lenses full potential the way your using it!