100-400L Learning Curve?

I have done a quick search but haven't found an answer yet. Everyone says there is a learning curve with the 100-400L. Please explain to me just why or what that learning curve consists of. Is it really different than learning to use any other new zoom lens?

I've not really heard this before. I don't see what it peculiar about this lens over others. Most of the lenses I have heard require "learning curves" were fast primes with extremely smal DOF.

I think its because it is heavier and longer than any other lens that most people own at the time of the purchase. I would guess that people might say the same thing about the 400L and 300L if they bought those lens before the 100-400.

I have never heard this either. Maybe the push/pull zoom?

It is a beautiful lens - heavy to my girlfriend, but well worth it.

Far better pics than my 70-300 IS USM, but that is only 40% of the price

No learning curve if the weight is not a problem.

i got mine a few weeks ago and it felt fine right away. in fact, now that I think of it, my best shot with the lens yet was taken on the first day I owned it!

I've rented one to try out this weekend so I'll let you know So far I've say the push/pull is the only thing that feels different than my 70-200. It's little stiff to zoom smoothly.

There is a great learning curve to taking good photo's from a craft and a copmposition point of view. If you know how to do those things then no lens in particular has a learning curve you need worry about. Things like DOF on a very fast lens or shake on a longer lens are perfectly understandable if anyone knows the basics of craft so you just compensate based on knowledge and experience.

One thing with IS lenses I find is they can sometimes make you lazy. Some may think you can use USM and IS almost as a point and shoot. You can't ... or you can but you may be shocked at how poor a keeper ratio you have. Whenever you can take your time and ensure you compose and expose well. Same applies to any lens.

i agree with every word .
Rob.

But there's something special about this lens that needs training, or at least getting used to.

Its Zoom action is a push/pull type. Meaning it needs to be pushed or pulled to get the zoom range to where you want it to. No zooming Ring.

It also has a 'Zoom Friction' adjustment, to prevent an occasional unwanted zooming when tilted up or down.

I think your talking about the problems I had with the lens at first.
I thought as this lens was IS, I could use it at 400mm at 250th sec and get a perfect shot.
This was the only problem I have found so far.
Once you realise the limitation of the IS system, the lens really is great.

Agreed! felt fine to me-I got mine last week, and found that using my monopod helps get a higher percent of great shots. Very happy with mine

I rented one a couple of weeks ago, loved it, and picked up a used one for a great price. I have had some great luck with it. Figuring out the limitations of the IS is a necessary thing like Simon says.

I have one question for experienced users. If I were using my monopod should I have the IS on, and if so, should I use Mode 2 for panning?

Hi Sparky!

No learning curve here with the 300D + 100-400mm! Went out after 5 days of owning my first DSLR and This lens and shot 650 pics of a Thunderbird Airshow(All hand held)...98% keepers!!

Here's the album location and a couple of samples below!
http://community.websh​ots.com/album/20973471​0gAUxtn

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No different from any other lens for me.
Infact push/pull was very easy to get used too. Most of the people may hate it, but I like it for quick zooming in/out for fast subjects, easier then turning the ring...

I just mounted mine & clik clik clik
Only confusion I had in the begining & for which I consulted fstopjojo was how to make sure IS was working !