Test driving the 100-400

belmondo wrote in post #2249780
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.

Not using this lens should be considered a crime... Here is your fine: send it immediately to me, I will put it to good use

Can't wait, the money's in the bank, but I'm in Australia for another week. Guess what my first purchase will be when back home

I was seriously considering this lens... Ended up getting an Extender 2x II for the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS instead. Not as sharp as the 100-400mm, but for me it was cheaper and I maintain weathersealing. I plan to pick up either a 300mm or 400mm f/2.8L IS at some point so it didn't make sense. Plus I'm not the biggest fan of push/pull zooms.

I had one and hardly ever used it. It was always soft all all focal lengths. IS was noisy, and contrast was not good. Looks like there are some wonderful shots with this lens, maybe I just got ahold of a bad copy.

JBF wrote in post #2257044
I had one and hardly ever used it. It was always soft all all focal lengths. IS was noisy, and contrast was not good. Looks like there are some wonderful shots with this lens, maybe I just got ahold of a bad copy.

I've read about (here and other places) significate QA issues with this lens...and it seems to be either on one extreme (totally sharpness) to the other (soft everywhere)...it is one of their older models and I'm wondering if the newer versions might be more consistant...

wrong post

aero145 wrote in post #2257123
Out of curiosity; Why is the rebate of 100-400 in the US $40, but in the EU €250?

maybe (don't know for sure) because they pay so much more for the lens over there...the cost of everything camera-wise at least, is much much higher than the US.

Probably the case. I bought used, [never again] and it was badly misrepresented. Turned out it was made in 2000 according to the date stamp. But, whatever Canon did, it works like it should now. Sharp, fast and dependable. They replaced the IS unit and probably the chips in it and gave it a cleaning and alignment.

canonloader wrote in post #2257162
Probably the case. I bought used, [never again] and it was badly misrepresented. Turned out it was made in 2000 according to the date stamp. But, whatever Canon did, it works like it should now. Sharp, fast and dependable. They replaced the IS unit and probably the chips in it and gave it a cleaning and alignment.

I'm glad it worked out for you canonloader...I hadn't heard but I'm really glad. Your story scared me for sure...and I've never had any trouble with used lenses...

It may have just been a run of bad luck. Or it may have been sly sellers unloading bad junk. But I learned my lesson, and it's going to be an easy promise to keep. After all, look at the prices. You might, if your lucky, save up to $200 by buying used junk. And any day of the week, sliced any way, $200 is nothing compared to the knowledge of opening a box nobody has ever opened before. To say nothing of the 1 year, no questions asked, warranty.

Sorry to hear about your bad experience, I guess it depends who you buy from... with private sellers it is really luck of the draw and whether you meet someone honest. My Sigma 70-200 was nice, and I got it off ebay of all things. Luck really more than anything else. I would not count on it again..I think I have used up all of the good luck

My 100-400 was substantially cheaper, around $200, condition 10 at B&H. Received it in a Canon Refurbished box with Canon tamperproof tape, and as such this one has probably had the Extreme Makeover done by the service center if it needs it. Date code is a UT, last year. Standard B&H Used Product warranty.

Refurbished is not exactly used. It's a fine line I guess, but if it's been rebuilt, it's a different kettle of fish. I wouldn't have a problem with buying from someone like B&H either.

canonloader wrote in post #2257207
It may have just been a run of bad luck. Or it may have been sly sellers unloading bad junk. But I learned my lesson, and it's going to be an easy promise to keep. After all, look at the prices. You might, if your lucky, save up to $200 by buying used junk. And any day of the week, sliced any way, $200 is nothing compared to the knowledge of opening a box nobody has ever opened before. To say nothing of the 1 year, no questions asked, warranty.

I agree with you there. I did, however, snap up a lot of good "L" glass for my FD mount systems off eBay over the last few years as everyone but me was converting to digital and dumping their film stuff. Had no problems with any of them. Still, though, it is definitely "luck of the draw" when it comes to that deal.