L Series lens help needed

Blackjack1 wrote in post #13872654
I have seen the 100-400 refered to as 'The Dust Pump' so please could someone elaborate on that for me too!!

Canon Bob wrote in post #13872702
The "Dust Pump".....
The 100-400 is a push/pull zoom lens and needs to draw air in as it extends rather the the fixed internal volume of a rotary action zoom lens.

philwillmedia wrote in post #13877582
This is a well over stated myth.
The 100-400 sucks no more dust than any other zoom lens.
Any lens that extends/contarcts, whether by push/pull or by rotating is going to suck air.

I didn't express an opinion about the merits of the lens' design, I simply explained the origin of the pseudonym as per the request.

Bob

I just picked up a new 100-400 from B&H on the last day of the canon rebates. Had it now for about a week and really like it. My inital impressions are the push pull is not an issue for me, and find it quite comfortable. It is fast to use as well.

However with that said, I am a newbie and at 65 still learning how to work things. M mode remains a mystery, but I am working on it.

Can't wait for the airshow this year at Daytona, something about the planes flying over the water that I really enjoy.

This is one of the first pics I took with it. A face only a mother could love.
60D
F5.6
1/400
ISO 100
400mm
AP
Hope you find your ideal lens.

Agreed. I just bought a used one off the forums with a UZ date code that has some dust under the front element. Its no big deal though, cant see it in pics - never had any dust in any of my other lenses...even much older ones.

But, it is really "the" air show lens if you're not willing to shell out for the big white super tele's. It would also be fine for outdoor horse shows but it might struggle inside - but so would any of your other choices. The 70-200/300 may be a more convenient size for your landscape/coastal shooting and would definitely be sharper edge to edge but the difference in reach would be noticeable. Im primarily a landscape shooter and I chose the 100-400 over the 70-xxx primarily for the reach but Ive been considering swapping it out for the new 70-200 II and a 2x TC for the few times I really need 400mm...you might consider the same if its in the budget because the extra light would help you at indoor horse shows too.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #13877673
Actually, I find that the 100-400L can move air at a much higher volume/rate than other zooms, just because of the push/pull. Any other lens that requires you to spin a ring will most likely move less air due to the slower change from one to the other. The 100-400 goes "instantly" from 100-400, if you are quick enough.

That might have some effect on dust, I have seen dusty 100-400Ls, and very clean copies too.

And that push/pull is nearly perfect for air shows, especially when they are flying overhead at fast rates, you just push/pull accordingly as they pass over with no turning of a zoom ring. After someone uses one for an extended period of time, they may find that they actually like it.

philwillmedia wrote in post #13877582
This is a well over stated myth.
The 100-400 sucks no more dust than any other zoom lens.

Many zooms, including all the Canon 70-200s, are a fixed length with internal zooming. They suck in little to no air while zooming in or out, so by design will suck in less dust than the 100-400L or 70-300L. Now perhaps the term "dust pump" is overblown, but it is a fact that the 100-400L is more susceptible to dust than the 70-200L.