Canon 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM for F1

AndWhyNot

AndWhyNot

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Andrew
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Asking on behalf of my dad who ignored my suggestion to buy a Nikon body so we could share lenses...

He's off to both the Australian and Malaysian GP in a couple of weeks' time and is looking for a versatile lens with decent reach. How does the 100-400 perform (I'm expecting pretty well as it's white) and is there a sensible alternative. Will be paired with a 50D.

It has to travel with him so size/ weight is a consideration. Price - not such an issue as he's likely to buy used then sell on his return (cheaper than a two-week hire) but of course no-one wants to spend more than they need so the £1k mark is probably upper budget.

Anyone got recommendations or suggestions given the brief?

Thanks in advance.
 
a 50D and a 100-400 sounds a good combination. This lens has a push pull zoom action, and when it's at at its shortest focal length it is smaller, and lighter, than the 70-200 f2.8 IS lens, so size is not a major problem. It will comfortably fit into a case like a Lowepro toploader 75.

Definitely recommended. It's a great combination for most sports.
 
I have a 100-400 L and regularly use it on my 7D, which is a crop sensor body similar to the 50D and it's excellent. The IQ is fantastic throughout the whole range and the push/pull zoom is one of the reasons I bought it as I find it very easy to use. I've used it for aircraft (jets at 500+ mph), sports such as rugby and football and car/bike racing and it's coped very well with everything I've thrown at it so far. The size and weight shouldn't be a problem, I use mine handheld all day with no aches and pains.
 
As others have said its a great lens - has 2 mode IS but do keep in mind its pretty heavy, he may want to invest in a comfy neckstrap..
 
I find hanging things round my neck gives worse pain in the neck and back. I only hang stuff from my shoulders.

A lot of spotters use Sigma "Bigmas" (??-500mm?) and get very good results. But having had some bad experience's with Sigma's and not using one now I cant recommend really. Plus with a crop sensor you might not need the extra reach of a 500mm.

Not the best Canon "L", but to better it you have to go to primes, and loose the versatility.

Please note; 400mm plus crop gives a LOT of camera shake and needs VERY high shutter speeds and smooth panning to get the best.

Just trying to help
 
Andrew
You may just want to have a read of the "Conditions of Entry" for the Australian GP (bottom of page 1 on the web site under "Event Information" there is a PDF link to "Conditions of Entry", Section 5 item Q). I'm not sure if I'm reading this correctly, but it seems to suggest a maximum lens of 300m unless the prior written consent of the organiser has been obtained.
You might care to have a look and make up your own mind as to whether my interpretation is correct or not (or even check with the organisers?).
Oh, and by the way, I can heartily recommend the Canon 70-300L which I now have paired with my 50D, having upgraded from a 70-300 IS last year. This may or may not be too "short" for your Dad. All I can tell you is that mine has had a couple of outings to Silverstone and most of the time I have found the reach to be fine. However, never having been to either Melbourne or Malaysia, I have no idea how important the extra reach would be at those circuits.
Hope some of this helps. Regards.
 
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I have the 100/400 it's been paired with a 30D and now a 7D I find if very versatile, not to heavy and very sharp at f8. You need to read the manual to understand the different IS modes.

My Dad has the Sigma 120/400 with a 30D and that performs very well for 1/2 the cost.
 
Thanks all for the input, I'll look into the IS modes on his behalf.

goinggreynow said:
...but it seems to suggest a maximum lens of 300m unless the prior written consent of the organiser has been obtained...
Click to expand...

Appreciate you taking the time to add that info, he's going as a guest of Jean Todt (ex Ferrari, now FIA) so whilst I'll encourage him to double check, I'm also pretty sure the colour of his lanyard will be enough to ensure this won't be an issue. Lucky b'st'd :lol:
 
I've used all the sigmas in the *-500 range and the canon 100-400. The 50-500os is most notably superior. It has 4 stop OS and the best range but is a bit heavier than the canon.

I'd personally say the sacrifice is worth it though. It's an amazing lens. Easily one of my favourites.
 
You'll find Melbourne a very difficult track to take photographs from. Its very much like a street circuit and there's lots of safety fences in the way and people to even get into a good spot to capture images that don't have fence in them. Cars can feel very close to you out on the back section, but you still need a reasonable long lens to over come the fences. The grandstands didn't really give you any better views for photography, because any the safety fences and also limited space. My best advice if your dad has a weekend ticket, is to do all his photography on the Thursday and Friday practices, less people, come the weekend, opportunities to get anything worth while are very much lost and you would be better drinking a few beers and enjoying the action.

Malaysian I thinks a better circuit, especially in the grandstand area's. A 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 would be a lens of choice, for its compactness and weight, although its getting on abit now. The push pull system takes abit of getting used to, its not to all people satisfaction. Hope he enjoys his hols
 
AndWhyNot said:
Thanks all for the input, I'll look into the IS modes on his behalf.

Appreciate you taking the time to add that info, he's going as a guest of Jean Todt (ex Ferrari, now FIA) so whilst I'll encourage him to double check, I'm also pretty sure the colour of his lanyard will be enough to ensure this won't be an issue. Lucky b'st'd :lol:
Click to expand...

I've got a 100-400 your Dad can take with him - as long as he takes me with him too!!! As you say, Lucky b'st'd!!
 
draiman said:
I've used all the sigmas in the *-500 range and the canon 100-400. The 50-500os is most notably superior. It has 4 stop OS and the best range but is a bit heavier than the canon.

I'd personally say the sacrifice is worth it though. It's an amazing lens. Easily one of my favourites.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input, in the end he didn't want the bulk of the bigma so picked up a 100-400 today - cutting it fine as he leaves on Wednesday.

pete.rush said:
You'll find Melbourne a very difficult track to take photographs from. Its very much like a street circuit and there's lots of safety fences in the way and people to even get into a good spot to capture images that don't have fence in them. Cars can feel very close to you out on the back section, but you still need a reasonable long lens to over come the fences. The grandstands didn't really give you any better views for photography, because any the safety fences and also limited space. My best advice if your dad has a weekend ticket, is to do all his photography on the Thursday and Friday practices, less people, come the weekend, opportunities to get anything worth while are very much lost and you would be better drinking a few beers and enjoying the action.

Malaysian I thinks a better circuit, especially in the grandstand area's. A 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 would be a lens of choice, for its compactness and weight, although its getting on abit now. The push pull system takes abit of getting used to, its not to all people satisfaction. Hope he enjoys his hols
Click to expand...

Great advice, have passed this on. He's on business so think it's Sunday only but nonetheless I'm sure he'll do as he wants (as dads are prone to...) and remember your advice when reviewing his shots on Monday :lol:

On the push pull mechanism, he's old school yet remarkably pioneering. He was a strobist in the 80's having built his own optical triggers with components from a local kinda Maplin. I cut my teeth on his Pentax film SLRs in the same era and recall his longer zooms were push-pull (I finally got to the point).

danski said:
I've got a 100-400 your Dad can take with him - as long as he takes me with him too!!! As you say, Lucky b'st'd!!
Click to expand...

Aw, shucks, missed this offer ;)
 
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