full frame+100-400

After a while of thinking and weighing up between the 300 f/4 and the 100-400 before the rebate for them ends on the 31st of Dec, i think the more versatile 100-400 is probably a better buy for my needs.

One thing i haven't heard much about is the performance of the 100-400 on full frame cameras, most of the online reviews are done on a 350D. I've looked in the achive thread but couldn't find any shots which said they were on a 5D (or 1Ds), that's not to say they aren't there but many don't have the exif intact or the poster didn't state the camera used.

Could any owners of a 5D or 1Ds and a 100-400 let me know what it's like on a full frame wide open, vignetting, edge sharpness or anything else you'd like to add

Cheers, Col

i'd check here: http://luminous-landscape.com/new/inde​x.shtml

I'm almost positive he has done many reviews on it, since the d30 days and even before. IIRC he thaught the 400 5.6 was better than the 100-400 at 400, and it should be, but the zoom is obviously more versatile

Thanks for the link Corey to be honest i'd read that review a long time ago and completely forgot about it. Interesting read

I know there are at least a few people with this combo who could chip in here, i'd really value your thoughts and opinions
Please

I find that it's a good combination. I am suspicious of the copy that Michael Reichmann used in the test on Luminous Landscape as mine is quite sharp and works well with the 5D. From the Chattanooga air show last year....

One more from near the dam....

Col_M,
It works fine on FF cameras
At least it works great on my 5D
Here on this page is a couple of shots taken with a FF (5D) and the 100-400L with 100% crops also shots taken with a 2xTC
My Canon 100-400L

Thanks a lot guys, the Luminous Landscape review did worry me a little, i knew that a zoom isn't going to match a prime especially the 400 f/5.6 but the 100-400 performance there looked awful, all the images here help rebuild my confidence in the lens.

It's a great combo - I have been without mine for 8 or 9 weeks now but will be getting it back soon and will be re-visiting some sites to try it out again.

I was looking at the 400mm vs the 100-400 and I went for the 100-400 because of the versatility of zoom - I really can't be bothered swapping lenses too much in the field and, often, the need for a move from 400mm to less than 400mm happens too quickly to make a lens change practical.

Over here the 100-400 was about $500 dearer than the 400mm so I really spent a lot of time thinking about it before making the purchase.

I have both, but frankly, I can't remember if I've shot anything with the 100-400 on my 5D. I'm pretty sure I have, and if so, I don't remember anything that was out of place. The 100-400 is an excellent, sharp lens and I just don't see any issues with it on a FF camera.

Mark

John_B, wow! I've heard that the 100-400 is not-so-good on 5D's, but there, you put it on the 5D, and good pictures. With 2x, it's still very good... Amazing.

Canon EF 200-800mm f/9-11L IS, whoa!

i concur with Tom's opinion of MR's copy of the 100-400.......i do however believe that there is indeed copy variation.
went through testing some 5 copies to date and found one that is sharp from end to end wide open.
on my 30D it is great, but when i put it on my 5D it's unbelievable.
the only thing that keeps my in favor of using it on the 30D is the way the crop facter makes it a longer lens..............i know i can crops from my 5D, but somehow the results are just not as good as they are straight out of the 30D..

Thanks for the replies guys

summerwind4...5 copies!! did you send any back to get Canon to try to "optimise" it before you decided to get a replacement?

I also hear what you're saying about using the crop factor when you need a little extra reach by way of FOV, that's what i plan to use my 350D for

no, i tested copies at the store...........my sales manager always felt that i was being too critical, so we also tried 3 different bodies..............
while the images from the other 4 lenses were acceptable at 8x10 prints, he agreed that the one i have now is a standout from the crowd copy.
the camera shop here where i live is awesome, sorta the B&H of the central valley, but he had no idea what pixel peeping was until i showed him where i judge sharpness...........

ah ok, thanks for the explanation