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

digital paradise wrote in post #18543160
I always wanted a 500 or 600 but as I age I'm not so sure now. My sites are now set on a 400 DO II. With a 2X TC you get AF and I have seen some very nice results. If all goes well I may have one this time next year.

The DO II is... AWESOME. I miss that lens a LOT. Reading people's reviews and comments, you'll come across stuff like:

"weird specular bokeh" and

"it isn't as sharp as the 500/600/800", and

"not sure how well it works with TCs"

Seriously, don't even listen to that stuff, the lens is 100% amazing. And the size is utterly charming (it's shorter than the 100-400 at 400mm). It works perfectly with the 1.4xIII, and really great with the 2xIII. I'll probably end up going back to it here in the near future myself.

MatthewK wrote in post #18543362
The DO II is... AWESOME. I miss that lens a LOT. Reading people's reviews and comments, you'll come across stuff like:

"weird specular bokeh" and

"it isn't as sharp as the 500/600/800", and

"not sure how well it works with TCs"

Seriously, don't even listen to that stuff, the lens is 100% amazing. And the size is utterly charming (it's shorter than the 100-400 at 400mm). It works perfectly with the 1.4xIII, and really great with the 2xIII. I'll probably end up going back to it here in the near future myself.

I have followed a few threads on it and I'm all that won't get in the way.

MatthewK wrote in post #18543362
The DO II is... AWESOME. I miss that lens a LOT. Reading people's reviews and comments, you'll come across stuff like:

"weird specular bokeh" and

"it isn't as sharp as the 500/600/800", and

"not sure how well it works with TCs"

Seriously, don't even listen to that stuff, the lens is 100% amazing. And the size is utterly charming (it's shorter than the 100-400 at 400mm). It works perfectly with the 1.4xIII, and really great with the 2xIII. I'll probably end up going back to it here in the near future myself.

One day I'd like to give that one a go. see how sharp it is for myself.

Usually walking with the lens and either use a simple long side strap or lock onto a mono pole and carry the lens camera combo over my shoulder. I keep the strap hooked to the body and around my neck for safety.

I gave up slings and straps two years ago. I was happy with then all for what they were but everyone of them left the camera rubing against my clothing, coat, what ever and I didnt like what it was doing to the finish on the lenses and the camera's... So I went without one. I use the foot on the lens to hold the entire package and have done for so long it feels normal. The camera is lighter it seems as there is none of the swinging and flopping.. and I'm always ready on walks... hiking... shooting... the camera is waiting ready for action.

From July to November I walked approx 1400 km... according to my fitbit. And not once did I wish I had a sling or strap to drag me down, or the feeling of a huge weight over my shoulder, and my back and neck is thanking me for it.

As for slipping and falling.. well I have seen others slip and fall sitting right on their camera and lens on a sling... never good lol I will say I slipped on wet granite off the shore of Georgian bay and scratched my camera last fall but Im sure on a sling the outcome would have been no better. maybe worse as I would have landed right on it.

Just my two cents

Just started following this thread. I have an 80D and am saving to get the 100-400 IS II and a 1.4TC. Does anyone have any experience or comments about the Canon 1.4 vs the Sigma or Tamron extenders?

I have been using the 7Dii 100-400 combo for a while and don't find it onerous to carry at all, I'm so used to it even if I am an old duffer!! That is why I work out.

I now have the 300 2.8 and it is pretty heavy no matter which body i use it with, and it usually has the 2X TC on it. But it is worth dragging around for the IQ. Sometimes I take both, one in a backpack and one on my strap. That is work but I do it anyway. I love those two lenses.

My 100-400 is now back after being repaired after a fall and I am happy to have it back, I'll tell you that.......

markesc wrote in post #18543982

Hosted photo: posted by markesc in
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forum: Canon Lenses

Hosted photo: posted by markesc in
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forum: Canon Lenses

Bravo, sir. Stunning.

MatthewK wrote in post #18543985
Bravo, sir. Stunning.

Appreciate it!!

I use a Canon 1.4 III. I had a Sigma 1.4 and have a 2X. I also had a Canon 2X. I stacked the Canon and Sigma 2X with my 300L and 7D for moon shots. I found Sigma's IQ pretty good but I just like using Canon products for communication between the devices. I had a Sigma ring flash and when I got my 50D I had to send it to Sigma for a FW update.

As I recall I could not tell any significant difference between my older Canon 1.4 II and my Sigma 1.4.

Here is a shot of the moon with my 100-400 II and the Sigma 2X from last summer if it helps. No AF so I don't use it for anything else.

Original followed by the crop.

edmidlifecrisis wrote in post #18543971
I have been using the 7Dii 100-400 combo for a while and don't find it onerous to carry at all, I'm so used to it even if I am an old duffer!! That is why I work out.

I now have the 300 2.8 and it is pretty heavy no matter which body i use it with, and it usually has the 2X TC on it. But it is worth dragging around for the IQ. Sometimes I take both, one in a backpack and one on my strap. That is work but I do it anyway. I love those two lenses.

My 100-400 is now back after being repaired after a fall and I am happy to have it back, I'll tell you that.......

I just came back from a nice afternoon session w/ the 100-400 + 1.4x + 80D, and it was just a relaxing, no stress affair compared to lugging the 500 II. I was actually excited to go out today knowing I'd be using this set up, and I really think my photos were improved compared to the last few weeks. It definitely is a mental thing for me: I've discovered that excessive weight and bulk have a very marked effect on my enjoyment of photography.

It finally went from -35 celsius with the wind chill to above zero. I was planning to get out today but it figures, heavy overcast. Not in the mood to use a flash. Maybe tomorrow and I'll hunt for the woodpeckers at the local bird sanctuary

Since getting my 5D4 my 1.4 III has been living on my 100-400 II. I hardly used it on my 7D2 because I like using all the AF modes. 5D4 gives me all AF points. This what I hope the 7D3 offers. It may not have all 65 but I'd take 80%.

This is expansion AF but I have have lots with small and 61 point zone AF. Cropped as well.

Despite that though, I'm continually let down by the mushy results from the 100-400/TC/80D combo though. I just binned 139 out of 157 shots due to them just being a hazy, mushy mess I'm lucky to have gotten the few that were barely decent. The rig is MFA'd, my SS is high enough, hand shake shouldn't be an issue, the light was fantastic (which makes me even more depressed). I may send this 100-400 to Canon.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/Fsri​x5

I am very unsteady. After reading about not using IS for BiF for years on several forums I have never shut it off since getting my 300L in 2006. I have even been trying out using mode 3 on the 100-400. Works good.

My 100-400 sans TC needs little MFA but needs a lot with it on. I second guess myself too much so I use Focal to do MFA.

Have you compared phase detect to LV on something like a static like a serial box? Might give you a clue.