Canon 100-400 f/4-5.6 L

Scarecrow

Scarecrow

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Derek
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Hired this lens for use at a motorcycle race meeting, and confess that this is the first time that I have used any kind of L glass.

I was really pleased with the results I got, and would definitely add the lens to my shopping list for undertaking this type of photography. The focussing is quiet as well as quick, which is just as well as my camera was set to AI Servo most of the time due to the speed at which my subjects were moving.

Some people apparently don't like the push me/pull you style of zooming, but all I can say is that I didn't have a problem with it.

This is one of the images I captured with the lens. A bigger version can be seen by clicking on the photo.

 
I have had a 100-400 for about two and a half years now, I love it, gets a bit of unfair criticism but when used in good conditions it is a stunner. Would highly recommend.
Nice sharp biker image.
J
 
The 100-400L is a true belter of a lens - I found when I had one it softened up between 380mm and 400mm but still pretty hot.

Personally, I live the push/pull zoom. Works really well IMO
 
Yummy, like the look of that :)
 
It's a stunner of a lens! If you have the need for that length of reach then even for an L lens it is excellent value.
Would definately be in my lineup if I had the money!
 
It is a great lens. I am not using it to its full potential yet, but I bet it'll give some brilliant results.

 
Hmm, this is interesting... Now I'm up in the air again over what lens to buy!

My original thought was the 70-200L f2.8 as I thought the wide aperture would help with the dull days here.

But that pic looks cracking and I'm wondering if I really need a wide aperture now. The extra reach of this lens would be a great benefit along with the IS. I have a APC-S sensor now, but will be moving to FF as soon as I have all my glass sorted and I'm thinking the 70-200 maybe a little short...

So would you recommend this lens for:

Wildlife,
Horse riding/show jumping etc,
General use
 
There are comments about the lens being dark, also, the manual states that the IS will not function with a TC.
I have this lens primarily for wildlife
 
coldpenguin said:
There are comments about the lens being dark, also, the manual states that the IS will not function with a TC.
I have this lens primarily for wildlife
Click to expand...

I i have no issues with the IS not working with a TC. I almost permamently have a Canon 1.4x MKII attached to mine and it performs exactly as it should. Still retain AF as well albeit just the centre focus point :thinking:
 
There's a thread over on Fred Miranda just for showcasing BIF shots with the 100-400, since BIF is often quite demanding for AF. I've included several of my own efforts in one of the posts. http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/834834. I have those shots plus a few more in an album here - http://picasaweb.google.com/EezyTiger/Birds02#

I also have an AI Servo sequence of 24 frames showing my 100-400 tracking my running dog in this online album - http://picasaweb.google.com/EezyTiger/7DAIServo#

If you want to see how the 100-400 compares to a 70-200 with teleconverters then take a look at this comparison - http://luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/400v400.shtml

I do have some motorsports shots but it's not really my common style of shooting, so I don't have many examples, but the 100-400 copes well. Here's one at Brands, in the clear, with my 30D + 100-400 @ 400mm and 1/160...

20070819_152535_LR.jpg


Shot through fencing at Silverstone with my 40D at 400mm, 1/250....

20080608_134040_4951_LR.jpg


The IS is excellent, and in my experience works perfectly well with a Kenko 1.4X teleconverter. This was shot with a 1D3, handheld at 400mm with a 1.4X teleconverter making 560mm in all, and at a shutter speed of 1/80....

20090808_105220_0149_LR.jpg


Without IS the handholding guidelines suggest I should have used a shutter speed of 1/800. I needed to shoot at 1/80 in order to achieve sufficient rotor blur.
 
I have this lens and really rated it with my 50D - Created some great sharp shots. I used it quite often with extension tubes to lower the minimum focussing distance and that always worked well.

Have recently changed to a 7D - Haven't really used the lens in anger yet on the new camera - Hope it will be as good.
 
Thanks for the highly informative post Tim! :thumbs:

I think this lens would be my best choice now. Your pics give great examples of what it's capable off and the lens definitely produces exactly what want.
 
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