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

A couple from today.
Black-necked Stilt

Nice work. Crisp.

T

kwhy789 wrote in post #17626548
For the sports photographers, how does the IQ of the 100-400mm compare with the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II? I'm finding I'm using more of the 200mm end on a 5DMII and could use more length in shooting basketball and golf. I tried the Canon 1.4X and 2X III extenders and did not like the drop off in IQ.

The IQ of the 100-400 II is excellent and, I would say, comparable with the 70-200 II. Obviously, it's 2 stops slower at the long end, so that will affect where you can use it. For golf, I would say you could easily substitute the 100-400 for the 70-200 (as long as you can do without 70-100mm), but if the basketball is indoors, you might notice it a bit more, as you would no doubt have to bump up the ISO to compensate.

Now this is handheld at 30ft or so 7DII, 100-400LII, 1.4III ,. At 560mm

patrol50 wrote in post #17626105
just in the sharpness and just a crisper cleaner photo taken by the 111 compared to the 11 to my eyes - not really any noticebale difference in af or bokeh or maybe just a touch with the bokeh - i have often read where others say that about the 2 x 111 compared to the 11 but seems less prevalent with the 1.4 but it certainly is evident with mine
cheers rob

Thanks. I found a used one on Amazon for $365 (new is $429). With my $250 in credits it would be pretty inexpensive, but I still haven't been able to pull the trigger yet.

go for it i would - not a lot to lose as you can sell it for near that in the future if not happy with it
cheers rob

very nice for 560 and hand held at 1/200 jeff - but hey if your like me where is the other 3 or 4 shaky ones that did not show
cheers rob

ha, true ...Im having a hard time trying to take a bad shot with the 100-400LII the IS is so good,.. I did get some motion blur.......he's fast lol

The 7D taught me how to shoot low and slow, only way I could get good stuff with low noise

from ma recent shots ...

For those looking for a carry solution, let me very strongly (again) recommend the Cotton Carrier.

I just got back from a week-long trip to the Pantanal wetlands in southern Brazil, and carried a gripped 7DMk2 + EF 100-400 II mounted on a Cotton Carrier throughout: on foot (through forest and marsh), on crazily bouncing-around safari drives, on canoe, and even on horseback. Supremely comfortable and very accessible no matter what. It simply is the best carrying system that I have ever used, in all three aspects: comfort, security, and accessibility. Not just riding in, but getting in and out of canoes or safari vehicles etc.: no problems with it. Only two issues: a loosening of the hub screw early on (possibly an artifact from before), and the hooks of the velcro surface on the back of the CC vest tended to engage the material of f-stop Satori backpack when I was wearing both the CC and the Satori at the same time. The first was quickly tightened and never occurred again, while, for the latter, I will tape over or place some material over the exposed hook areas.

Also, most of you here already know this, but the 7DMk2 + 100-400 II proved to be an absolute KILLER COMBO in every respect: sharpness, IS, focussing speed/performance, and, almost as important, robustness, through rain or shine. It was a trusty companion that seemed to live for shooting in the rough bush! I could have easily used another stop or two of light (who couldn't) but hey, that would require another $10K and worse, something like 6-8lbs?!

Will be posting a much more detailed trip report with photos soon!

jeetsukumaran wrote in post #17627818
For those looking for a carry solution, let me very strongly (again) recommend the Cotton Carrier.

I have heard of this, but didn't think too much about one. After you made such a BIG DEAL about this, I checked into one, I saw some videos, checked it out on Amazon, and I think I may just have to get one. (Thanks to you!)
This looks like it's be a LOT better than what I use now, which is a Rapid Strap (Sports), I like it, but it doesn't do what the Cotton Carrier does. The reviews on these things are also very good, so that gives me some hope.
Also, this appears that it'd be ideal for when I use my kayak, it's out of the way, and looks like I could paddle fine.

What I wish you could do though is to do a short review and place it on a forum here so that others who may not see this thread could learn about it, plus, here, it may detract from this thread. (I'm glad that you did though!)

So, thank you for letting us know, and I hope to get one, I actually am thinking about the dual vest, so I can carry both of my cameras safely.

Randy

Finally sorting through my shots from Montana last month and liked these three of a Killdeer I was chasing around out in a field...

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/vTym​u6

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/vAyf​Sy

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/vAyz​5s

recrisp wrote in post #17628151

I have heard of this, but didn't think too much about one. After you made such a BIG DEAL about this, I checked into one, I saw some videos, checked it out on Amazon, and I think I may just have to get one. (Thanks to you!)
This looks like it's be a LOT better than what I use now, which is a Rapid Strap (Sports), I like it, but it doesn't do what the Cotton Carrier does. The reviews on these things are also very good, so that gives me some hope.
Also, this appears that it'd be ideal for when I use my kayak, it's out of the way, and looks like I could paddle fine.

What I wish you could do though is to do a short review and place it on a forum here so that others who may not see this thread could learn about it, plus, here, it may detract from this thread. (I'm glad that you did though!)

So, thank you for letting us know, and I hope to get one, I actually am thinking about the dual vest, so I can carry both of my cameras safely.

Randy

Maybe I am waxing a little too enthusiastic! But honestly, I see so many people recommending/using BR sling straps, I think this is a truly inferior solution in every important aspect compared to the Cotton Carrier (with the exception of, perhaps, looking non-geeky!). [Actually, as an aside, even in the world of BR-style sling straps, I think the BR is a poorly-designed product relative to, for example, the Sun Sniper; but that is another story.]

Now, you mention kayak usage, and to be honest, that is one of the situations that I have not tried using the CC. On my kayak outings, the camera + lens is usually slipped into a dry bag between my legs (I use a SeaLine Zip Duffle) or sitting on a tripod. I think the CC-mounted camera would not interfere with paddling, but depending on the length of the lens, the height of the seat, the size of the cockpit opening, and one's physique (in particular, the relative protrusions of of one's tummy vs. one's chest), there might be some degree of difficulty/awkwardness in the seating position or getting into the seating position. I will have to give it a try next time I am out.

You are right, though, that this should be on another thread --- I only brought it up here because there was a discussion of carry systems for specifically this lens, and I just had a great experience in very rough conditions using precisely this lens + the CC. There actually is a long Cotton Carrier thread I remember seeing on this forum, so instead of starting a new one, I might end up reporting my experience there. Either way, as you say, should not detract from this great thread!

another one at the same location ...

mbehzadpix wrote in post #17628201
another one at the same location ...

Hosted photo: posted by mbehzadpix in
./showthread.php?p=176​28201&i=i112429458
forum: Canon Lenses

Nice.