-= Canon EOS R owners unite! Post photos and discuss.

In all fairness to this lens (and the R for that matter), and if this is outside the scope of this thread, I apologize; isn't this squarely outside the intended scope of this lens? This isn't a macro lens and it isn't designed or built for this kind of work, or am I mistaken? I mean, it's great if it works for this, but operationally, I don't think this is what its design intent was.

WilsonFlyer wrote in post #18779087
In all fairness to this lens (and the R for that matter), and if this is outside the scope of this thread, I apologize; isn't this squarely outside the intended scope of this lens? This isn't a macro lens and it isn't designed or built for this kind of work, or am I mistaken? I mean, it's great if it works for this, but operationally, I don't think this is what its design intent was.

Not according to Canon

I was probably shooting at 2 metres, with the MFD quoted as 0.98 metres and I have been very pleased with the performance of this lens throughout its range, and with its performance on the EOS R. The occasional hiccough so far hasn't been an issue, just something to be aware of until the next Firmware update for the EOS R.

This resting Dragonfly was taken closer to the MFD and I am very happy with the lens performance.

Cheers

Dennis

I think we've all used the 100-400LII for bug work lol definitely works very well... I'm hoping for the magic firmware as well !!

WilsonFlyer wrote in post #18779087
In all fairness to this lens (and the R for that matter), and if this is outside the scope of this thread, I apologize; isn't this squarely outside the intended scope of this lens? This isn't a macro lens and it isn't designed or built for this kind of work, or am I mistaken? I mean, it's great if it works for this, but operationally, I don't think this is what its design intent was.

You are absolutely mistaken. One of the biggest improvements of this lens was the reduced MFD compared to the V1 and it was widely embraced by the user community. It was designed and bullt for this kind of work and figures prominently in reviews and sample galleries as a big plus for the lens.

I've rented the 100-400 twice and just bought it. I now think if I could have only 2 lenses, it would be a 24-105 and a 100-400. Funny because 2 years ago I would have wanted a 35/85. Thankfully I am able to have all of them.

And all this time I've been using mine to bring far away stuff closer. Who knew! {sigh}

Finally got a chance to use the R for a real photo session today. Used Face detect focus with no issues whatsoever. Loved being able to set my ambient exposure in the view finder, then turning on the flash.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2cJv​smj

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2cJv​s45

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2crK​hk2

Petie53 wrote in post #18778735
Hey Dave - how long have you had the new 100-400?
Mine occasionally acts like it can’t find anything to focus on and just strokes away until I stop it - on my 6D. Not frequent but frustrating at times. I find if I use the focus ring on the lens and get it close then the lens will finally lock in accurately. I think it is more a lens issue than a camera focus issue. Absolutely no experience on a R.
Pete

2014. I was not working when I bought it and used it almost every day for the first 7 months. I had previously shot a lot of macro and with the very short MFD of the 100-400 II, near macro was something I tried a lot with the 100-400 II. I used 25mm and 36mm tubes, with and without 1.4 TC. I used to mainly MF when using macro lenses, Sigma 180 and MP-E 65, more correctly body focus with the MP-E 65 having not even MF.
The 100-400 II was pretty good AFing on close subjects with either tube or 1.4TC but poor with both.

So overall I'd say I have extensive experience regarding AF with the 100-400 II in difficult scenarios.

It's no big deal. I found a subject that the lens / body combo would not AF on. That's all.
In about 4 months Cormorants will return to the shark nets in the same park and I'll get to try the same combo on a subject no body/lens combo I have tried can AF on without at least numerous attempts: Cormorants at about 40 metres distance perched on a steel cable.

The other 150 or so subjects I pointed the R / 100-400 II at on my first day shooting with it were no problem for the AF system including quite a few that I thought may be problematic, birds with nearby foliage, lizards in dark shade, etc

I thought this might be a problem, obvious flash use as the sun was very low and cloud covered.
(Big crop, about 8 Megapickles of the original 30)

The little Grebe showed the AF system to be very good. Shot with Sigma 500 f4 Sport and 2X TC.
I used AF in single shot and just relied on speed of acquisition and lock.
I had a high success rate but still trying to master smooth shooting as like I have read from other users and reviewers, the AF on button is not in a position I find comfortable. Only a mild crop, about 18 Megapickles.

Photo 1: Another scenario that I would not be surprised if a DSLR body did not lock onto accurately first attempt.
Photo 2: There were some twigs I had to shoot through and not a lot of detail in the subject but AF lock again was no problem:

Another test of using single shot AF on a moving subject with the Sigma 500 and 2XTC.
Full frame and a crop.

nardes wrote in post #18779093
Not according to Canon

I was probably shooting at 2 metres, with the MFD quoted as 0.98 metres and I have been very pleased with the performance of this lens throughout its range, and with its performance on the EOS R. The occasional hiccough so far hasn't been an issue, just something to be aware of until the next Firmware update for the EOS R.

This resting Dragonfly was taken closer to the MFD and I am very happy with the lens performance.

Cheers

Dennis

Yes .. remember to add to that shooting at an insect with semi-transparent wings that move.

Busy native bees collecting pollen from a water lily.

Cheers

Dennis

LoneRider wrote in post #18778563
Not a mini, purebred Aussie. On the smaller side about 40lbs. The other is a Border Collie/Aussie mix. “Sheila’ and “Dingo”

Beautiful dogs .
I have a mini now and had the full size in the past, both are great dogs.