Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens

[hazardoussmoker]

Looking for some opinions on this lens from those who own one or have in the past. I'm looking at it possibly for wildlife and nature photography and wanted to know your opinions on it.

If not this lens then what would you recommend?

My main lens is the 24-105mm and also own the 55-250mm.

Thanks,

[RichardTaylor]

I mostly use one for motor sport,& urban birding on a 40D.
It is usually used with a mono pod

It's is a very versatile good light lens.
IQ more than meets my need for web publishing and prints up to A4
Bokeh is good as is its close focussing ability which makes it good for close ups of flowers and larger bugs like butterflies.
Mechanically it is great with fast focussing.
It runs rings around the Canon 55-250 (I have used one)

Dependant on the wildlife and when & where you are shooting I would recommend it.

The only down side is that it is a bit big & heavy for a general purpose/travel/ walk around long tele zoom (for that I have a Canon 70-300 F4.5-F5.6 IS)

[hazardoussmoker]

Thanks for the reply. I'm torn on it right now but am seriously considering it.

[inkista]

I've never used the 100-400L. I own the EF 400mm f/5.6L USM, because I'm primarily interested in taking shots of birds in flight. The 400/5.6 prime is a little lighter, a little longer, and a little faster to autofocus than the 100-400. Some say it's a little sharper and takes teleconverters a little better, but it kind of depends on who's writing the piece. It's a PITA to use on a crop body at the zoo--you run backwards a LOT.

The 100-400L is a much more versatile lens, both because of the zoom, and the IS stabilization. It does use a pump-zoom, though--where you push and pull the zoom away from and towards you, rather than a ring zoom, which some people love (it's faster) and others loathe ("dust pump"), so I'd recommend possibly renting one to see if you like it or not. Despite being L lenses, the 100-400L (and the 400/5.6L prime) are not weather-sealed.

[RichardTaylor]

Just to give you an idea of the versatility of 100-400. All pics have been PP'd from the original RAW files.

These first 3 are from a walk in the bush around old Manly dam (suburban, Sydney, Australia) one morning. Canon 40D + monopod.

(1) 400mm @ F5.6

Exposure 0.003 sec (1/400)

(2) 400mm @ F5.6


(3) 400mm @ F13


I originally purchased it for this sort of photography.
(4) 400mm @ F10


I have a friend who uses the 400mm F5.6 L, on a 50D, for motor sport and he loves it.

[gturner]

I have a few friends that are pro safari guides and use the 100-400L all day every day and produce magnificent images.

[hazardoussmoker]

Originally Posted by inkista

I've never used the 100-400L. I own the EF 400mm f/5.6L USM, because I'm primarily interested in taking shots of birds in flight. The 400/5.6 prime is a little lighter, a little longer, and a little faster to autofocus than the 100-400. Some say it's a little sharper and takes teleconverters a little better, but it kind of depends on who's writing the piece. It's a PITA to use on a crop body at the zoo--you run backwards a LOT.

The 100-400L is a much more versatile lens, both because of the zoom, and the IS stabilization. It does use a pump-zoom, though--where you push and pull the zoom away from and towards you, rather than a ring zoom, which some people love (it's faster) and others loathe ("dust pump"), so I'd recommend possibly renting one to see if you like it or not. Despite being L lenses, the 100-400L (and the 400/5.6L prime) are not weather-sealed.

I wish I had a place to rent one but I'm currently in Northern Japan and there isn't any place close that even sells one of these. Besides I don't speak very good Japanese

[hazardoussmoker]

Those are some incredible images and I see no issues in sharpness whatsoever IMO. That's the kind of things I am hoping for in that lens.

You guys have pretty much sold me on this lens. I don't think I can go wrong in picking this up.

[RichardTaylor]

Glad to help out!
+ smile

[hazardoussmoker]

Originally Posted by gturner

I have a few friends that are pro safari guides and use the 100-400L all day every day and produce magnificent images.

Thanks for the help.