Test driving the 100-400

Very nice, sharp shots - excellent!
I love my 100-400 too - it is always on one of my 30Ds.

Elfie

Thanks all!

CDS: Does it mean I have to post a moon shot?

Dante: yes it does...for the days when the 300/2.8 is just too much to carry!


During the EF-S days my EF-S Travel Trinity, designed with high mobility, lighter weight and travel-ability at a premium, was the 10-22, 17-85 (now would be 17-55), 70-300 IS. I still recommend this to EF-S shooters.

Now my travel kit for full frame is 17-40, 24-105, 100-400. This setup will allow you to cover a very big spectrum of roles in as few lenses as possible. When less encumbered I feel better and shoot better. I searched B&H for "pack mule to carry my stuff" but they couldn't find anything. Throw in a tiny fast prime for ultralowlight work or bokeh, and you are all set. Remember the 3-5 lens setup thread? These are my basic 3, and the two primes can probably be a 28/1.8 for low light on the move, and a 100 macro. (for EF-S, same - except 60 macro)

Of course it all depends on your shooting style, but I take pics of anything that catches my attention, so this THE setup for me. It seems that I never have the opportunity to plonk myself in one place with a tripod except when shooting fireworks (17-40 FF, 10-22 APS-C preferred) so mobility is important. Even when shooting city scapes at night it's shoot, move tripod, move tripod, move tripod, shoot, move move move move..

Great shots! It seems that a bunch of us have just gotten this lens in the last two to three weeks.

Mine hasn't left the camera mount since I got it. I live near a number of wetlands reserves and have taken it out a couple of times to shoot cranes, herons, etc. Its everything I thought it would be.

I was planning on it, does that count :P

Mediasoldier wrote in post #2248947
I was planning on it, does that count :P

It counts! Unless I miss my bet, you'll have it before this latest rebate program ends.....and you'll LOVE it!!!

Couldn't do without mine. Had to go through a lot to get it fine tuned, but it was worth it.

It's almost Christmas....need an excuse anybody?

OK, Took mine out for the first time today as well (looks like many of us are aquiring this lens during the rebate!).

First, my obligatory "duck" shot - sorry, he was the only one I saw today:

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This is probably the most versatile lens in my aresenal, but among the least used. I was suckered into the allure of primes, and have left this on in the bag far more than I should have. (along with the 70-200 f/2.8L). I really should pay moer attention to them.

Canon_Bob wrote in post #2249764
Now, the REAL reason I wanted this lens so bad!:

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Ooooh....nice! You definitely don't want to get too near! He looks like he means business.. the wicked smile on his face hints at that.

I never really got into the prime lens thing, even though there are 4 in my list (some changes coming soon). I'm very much an on-location guy, I don't have the luxury of being able to control my subject or opportunity, so it's vital that I and the gear adapt to the situation. 'freedom to frame' is more important to me than 'being forced into a "creative" rut'.

c'mon Dec 7th it will be mine!

Nice gull shots! I love my 100-400 too. I've read and heard a lot about the 100-400 not being a sharp lens at the longer focal lengths, especially wide open. I'm happy to say that I got a sharp copy. I think that people sometimes expect too much from IS and perhaps exceed its limits. Anyway, it's a great lens and one of my most used.

I have to say that having just completed the post processing on all my shots today, I am EXTREMELY impressed with this lens! The IS worked very well on several hand held shots at 400mm, which really surprised me.

Although it is extremely long, I did not find it any more cumbersome than the 70-200 2.8 L (which I also use quite a lot).

It will take some getting used to, as I like a bit more Bokeh than I acheived today, but that will just take some practice with the lens I think. Maybe a little more AV mode for awhile. I also found it a bit difficult to move and acquire new subjects quicly, but that again is just practice.

I have recently converted from film, and I'm just getting my new inventory together. The zooms were first priority, and I will now circle back and pick up some specialty primes. I will say that coming from a pair of F-1's with a lot of FD series "L" glass, these ones are far better, and will definitely eliminate the need for so many lenses.

Canon_Bob wrote in post #2250209
I It will take some getting used to,

Trombone players seem to adapt to it more quickly.

It's simply an outstanding lens. In a perfect world, it wouldn't be a push-pull design, but this isn't a perfect world. We'll take what we can get.

belmondo wrote in post #2250218
Trombone players seem to adapt to it more quickly.

It's simply an outstanding lens. In a perfect world, it wouldn't be a push-pull design, but this isn't a perfect world. We'll take what we can get.

LOL - I knew all those guitar lessons were a waste of time.....I should've been taking trombone lessons!

The push/pull doesn't concern me at all, as this was a common zoom method from my 35mm days....it's just been awhile now.