EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Review WOW!

The other thing I noticed when it was in mode 2 was that the viewfinder image wasn't as sharp but I put that down to my dicky eyesight. After switching back to mode 1 the viewfinder image was better, so I'm guessing that using 2 on a stationary object does upset focus...............co​rrection, not "focus" as it has no effect on same (I think?) but somehow affects image quality

Very possible.

I recently returned from Minnesota and loved using this lens for wildlife. One of my favorite subjects are the loons. I did manage to see moose and bears but the light wasn't great. I have started to use it with the 1.4x extender and I have been surprised how well the images hold up.

IMAGE LINK: https://www.flickr.com …9616/in/datetak​en-public/

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If your shutter speed is over 1/500 (or so) then IS will not help in any mode as the IS element cannot move fast enough. Also (confirmed with a Canon Rep last Thursday) IS can interfere with AF acquisition and tracking as I have found and posted. The latest IS systems, like the 100-400 Mk2, are much better in this respect but it can still cause problems.

At 1/3200 IS is a waste of space and you risk focus problems as you have found out. However when you simply can't get the required shutter speed at sensible ISO then IS comes into it's own and many find it very helpful.

For what it is worth I find my 100-400 Mk2 extremely difficult to hold steady so, at 1/400 or less the IS is turned on in Mode 3. Mode 3 focuses first then activates the IS and works much better for me and others I know. I simply don't bother with Modes 1 and 2 as they interfere too much but Mode 3 works! If, unlike me, you can hold the 100-400 reasonably steady then just turn the IS off and forget about it. I need IS on my 100-400 Mk2 but it is simply not used on my canon 800mm unless I have to go below 1/160 hand held (not happened yet) - as I said I simply cannot hold this lens steady reliably.

I recently upgraded from a 100-400 v1 to the v2 and just today acquired a 1.4x III TC. I am not super steady at long focal lengths and the IS helps me get the AF dot in the right place. So maybe the image would be marginally sharper with IS turned off, but then the lizard's elbow might be in focus instead of its head. There's not much DOF at 400-560mm at 10 feet even at f/11. Of course there's more DOF at longer distances but still, a lot of things I shoot with this lens tend to be relatively small in the viewfinder.

mike_d wrote in post #18417737
I recently upgraded from a 100-400 v1 to the v2 and just today acquired a 1.4x III TC. I am not super steady at long focal lengths and the IS helps me get the AF dot in the the place. So maybe the image would be marginally sharper with IS turned off, but then the lizard's elbow might be in focus instead of its head. There's not much DOF at 400-560mm at 10 feet even at f/11. Of course there's more DOF at longer distances but still, a lot of things I shoot with this lens tend to be relatively small in the viewfinder.

This is the main reason I use the IS. Otherwise the image in the viewfinder shakes, I just can't get the exact focus point I want without it.

I think there's no right answer for everyone. This is mode 2,.... 7DII.. 100-400LII combo. I really haven't moved it from mode 2 in months.

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Well after switching to mode 1 I took 24 shots this morning and only missed one of them. I can breathe easy as I really thought there was something wrong with either the camera or the lens. All shots of the same species and here are a few

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/W6Mx​nS

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/W8Xc​Yi

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/WLn3​vd

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/WLnb​4Q

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[QUOTE=bidkev;18418141​].
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Well after switching to mode 1 I took 24 shots this morning and only missed one of them. I can breathe easy as I really thought there was something wrong with either the camera or the lens. All shots of the same species and here are a few

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/W6Mx​nS

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/W8Xc​Yi

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/WLn3​vd

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/WLnb​4Q

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/X7Jd​BW

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/WLzD​t5

Interesting Kev.. But now you've made it a challenge lol. I'm switching to mode 1 this aft. Heading out to the Moose and Bear's, well everything Ontario has to offer really. its raining a bit so darker than I would like. So Thousands of dollar's and images riding on your input ..LOL.. just kidding. I'm sure it will improve my blurry pic's.. So i'm giving it a try. Maybe you shake in circles not side to side lol

[QUOTE=Pondrader;18418​145][QUOTE=bidkev;1841​8141].
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Well after switching to mode 1 I took 24 shots this morning and only missed one of them. I can breathe easy as I really thought there was something wrong with either the camera or the lens. All shots of the same species and here are a few

Interesting notes about IS not being useful, even detrimental, above certain shutter speeds. For anything 400mm and above, I usually just leave the SS at >1250, so next session will try shooting without, but I do like having the steady viewfinder image.

Interesting Kev.. But now you've made it a challenge lol. I'm switching to mode 1 this aft. Heading out to the Moose and Bear's, well everything Ontario has to offer really. its raining a bit so darker than I would like. So Thousands of dollar's and images riding on your input ..LOL.. just kidding. I'm sure it will improve my blurry pic's.. So i'm giving it a try. Maybe you shake in circles not side to side lol

What blurry pics are they then Jeff? I've yet to see one from you

Just realised another factor in the equation. Not only was I in mode 2 when I was missing shots, but the missed shots were all taken with the convertor on. The above good shots were bare lens. Now I won't rest until I've shot some with the convertor!

bidkev wrote in post #18418154
Interesting Kev.. But now you've made it a challenge lol. I'm switching to mode 1 this aft. Heading out to the Moose and Bear's, well everything Ontario has to offer really. its raining a bit so darker than I would like. So Thousands of dollar's and images riding on your input ..LOL.. just kidding. I'm sure it will improve my blurry pic's.. So i'm giving it a try. Maybe you shake in circles not side to side lol

What blurry pics are they then Jeff? I've yet to see one from you

Just realised another factor in the equation. Not only was I in mode 2 when I was missing shots, but the missed shots were all taken with the convertor on. The above good shots were bare lens. Now I won't rest until I've shot some with the convertor!

My one converter has started giving me grief. I was having trouble so I swapped it for my wife's ,,, Then she was having trouble with it so that one is shelved. till I take a look at it. her works a charm. so did mine till one day it just did not. not sure what to think of that.

Matt Just turn it off and see what you get. you may be very surprised. Wish I lived in a world where I could run at 1250 all the time.

Here's one then Kev iso16000 1/25 hand held in the dark last night. at one point I think there was four little ones plus mom... little to much weight for the feeder

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1250 is my standard, with the caveat that I'm using Auto ISO. Often times that's leading to some pretty hefty ISO levels, but I'd rather deal with extra noise than a hand shook/motion blurry photo. The other part of the equation is that I have my favorite open spots to shoot in the late afternoon, facing east so that I get the sun at my back. Eventually the light gets lower, or I shoot into the woods, and that ISO level keeps bumping up.