love my 400 5.6....

....plus 1.4 TC !

File Name GU2E8539.CR2
Camera Model Canon EOS-1D Mark II
Shooting Date/Time 7/12/2009 2:25:48 PM
Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/800
Av( Aperture Value ) 8.0
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
Exposure Compensation 0
ISO Speed 200
Lens 400.0mm
Focal Length 560.0mm
Image Size 3504x2336
Image Quality RAW
AF Mode Manual focusing

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Nice pics. Nice clarity.Where were those taken

Thanks. That was a CCS/ASRA roadrace at Heartland Park, Topeka, Kansas.

....another one....just 'cuz I like it so well. Man...the TC takes so well to this lens...and at 560mm you've got a bit of reach.
All it takes is....LOTS of light !

File Name GU2E8627.CR2
Camera Model Canon EOS-1D Mark II
Shooting Date/Time 7/12/2009 2:33:38 PM
Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/1000
Av( Aperture Value ) 10.0
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
Exposure Compensation 0
ISO Speed 400
Lens 400.0mm
Focal Length 560.0mm
Image Size 3504x2336
Image Quality RAW
White Balance Mode Auto
AF Mode Manual focusing
Parameters Settings Tone Curve Standard

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Those are some extremely sharp images ! I've read quite abit about that lens and would love to have one myself !

....and bear in mind that both of those had the Canon 1.4 TC between the lens and the body. And....the orginal looks even better here on the screen than what you see posted. They are going to print nice...

Yup, 1D/400/1.4 is the best bang for buck long combo.

Nice shots, very sharp indeed! Surely, with that 400mm lens you were using a monopod?

Yeah, for those shots, which with the 1.4TC making it 560mm, I was using the monopod. When I just shoot it as a 400, I only use the monopod if the shot makes it convenient....in other words, if I need the flexibility to do some extreme panning, etc, then I hand hold. 400 is about my limit for reliable hand holding.
Thanks for kind words on the shots.

I love mine awesome and more versatile lens than I ever expected

I am interested in adding the 400mm f5.6 to my collection. I need more reach as when it comes to shooting migrating birds which come in when winter strikes their home ground, my 70-200 with a 2TC is unable to put the bird into the frame. They appears as dots or larger dots. Would this lens do the job.

The migrant birds are shy of people and would fly off when people approach - so we have to shoot from our 4WD with the windows down.

Gee, isn't a 70-200 (at 200) with a 2x TC (uck) = 400mm? So, you did not gain anything MM wise. Yes, better AF, better IQ and then the ability to start adding TCs. If you can handle MF (or know the 3 pin tape trick) the 400/5.6 takes a 1.4x TC very well. ANd even a 2x TC well. Now, we are talking about some mm, though dark and hard to hold still.

Very nice.....Ive been wanting to add that one to my collection also.

Peter,
I've never shot birds, so I really can't answer your question. Only thing I can say is that all I ever hear out of the birders is "I can never get enough reach !" For sure....that makes sense, as small as many of them are. I read about guys/gals setting up camo blinds to hide in to try to get closer. Best of luck with them....that looks like a very challenging subject....and one that would require patience.