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

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3 Different visitors to my garden

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Seven-legged spider?

Awesome macro work. In my area we'd call them Writing Spiders, in your area
I get they are called Certain Death Ha! Why does everything think everything
in Oz is out to kill ya!

Archibald wrote in post #17874401
Seven-legged spider?

Yeah,I noticed that. Looks like he's lost one

A few weeks in with this lens, I'm finding it surprisingly challenging (in a good way) to get good results, namely:

1) 400mm isn't a "comfortable" distance to shoot. Much like an ultra-wide takes some getting used to, having this much reach over my 70-200 is forcing me to adapt a little to get interesting shots outside of the avian variety. Luckily there's 399 other focal lengths to use, so versatility makes this lens usable for other things too.

2) I'm noticing that shots from this lens require a little coaxing in post-production in order to bring out the striking detail seen in photos here. I haven't had a chance to compare my copy to another, but I'm definitely seeing softness in all but the optimal conditioned shots. Very similar to the aberrations seen with the 50L wide open or 24-70 f/4 @ 70mm at MFD. The detail is there, it's just covered by said softness. I'll post some examples of what I am seeing.

graham121 wrote in post #17873311
Some of it was making sure light was behind me - would have preferred it a bit lower but as it is summer here it is still quite high at 4:30 - 5 in the afternoon - and the key thing was getting separation between the subject and the background.

In post I just reduced clarity a couple of notches, enough to soften the background a bit without softening the subject.

Hope that helps.

Thank you very much for the insight, I'll definitely try to incorporate these things into my workflow. The clarity slider tip is a good one, as I'm always adding clarity. As for subject to background distance, that one will take some work!

I hate shooting off of a boat but liked how this turned out.

Matt I'm sure your just going through the pain's of stepping into a long lens, I would say your copy is every bit as sharp as mine. Working with a new lens is as you say fun but its the challenge that makes us better photographer's. I'm sure you will get a handle on 400mm and everything in-between. Its not in the PP ,.. My raw is where the sharpness is,..

MatthewK wrote in post #17874612
... Luckily there's 399 other focal lengths to use, so versatility makes this lens usable for other things too. ...

300 in fact

Not least because of this thread, I'm thinking of getting this lens. However, does it come into its own with my 60D, especially AF- and ISO-wise?

Would a 70D be a significant improvement there? - A 7D (DIGIC6 technology) sure would be nice, but the articulating screen of the XXD is a must for me

I believe the 100-400LII cares nothing of the Camera. and will work wonderfully on any body you choose.

Pondrader wrote in post #17874764
I believe the 100-400LII cares nothing of the Camera. and will work wonderfully on any body you choose.

Hosted photo: posted by Pondrader in
./showthread.php?p=178​74764&i=i206056110
forum: Canon Lenses

Your foxes this winter are amazing. I've said it too many times.... I really enjoy seeing them posted here.

Your pine martens are up there as well.

Thanks Kim, I only shot the marten that one week,..two days I believe. I need to get out there and not sit here processing. lol

Pondrader wrote in post #17874839
Thanks Kim, I only shot the marten that one week,..two days I believe. I need to get out there and not sit here processing. lol

Hosted photo: posted by Pondrader in
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forum: Canon Lenses

One of (if not The) best portraits you've posted.... so beautiful. Your foxes are so healthy... it's a pleasure to see them.

scriveyn wrote in post #17874687
Not least because of this thread, I'm thinking of getting this lens. However, does it come into its own with my 60D, especially AF- and ISO-wise?

Would a 70D be a significant improvement there? - A 7D (DIGIC6 technology) sure would be nice, but the articulating screen of the XXD is a must for me

The only critical improvement of the 70D over the 60D is the AF micro adjustment. I upgraded from the 60D to the 70D when I realized that some of my lenses needed AFMA, and it was not there on the 60D. It is particularly important when you combine a long lens, such as the 100-400II with a 1.4x TC. Granted, the Canon 1.4x with the 100-400 would not AF at F8, but Kenko, in good light, will.

Thanks Lbsimon.

Yes, the AFMA is a nice thing to have and check existing lenses. I don't have a desire for TCs so far. Still, good to know that the Kenko does a good job, just in case.

My longest lens to date is the 70-200 f/4 L without IS. While its AF is fast, hitting/tracking moving objects is not satisfactory, which I attribute to the AF-layout of the 60D (hence my question in the first place).