Anyone with any experience with the Ef 100-400mm L

[Tzetsin]

Im looking to increase the range of my lenses. I'm a big fan of zooms, as I do most of my shooting while hiking or walking, so space and weight are always a factor.

I have a 70-200 2.8L IS ii and a 2x iii teleconverter so I can get 400mm, but I find the images very soft. I havn't checked the aperture range to find the optimal aperture, but it's not so good between 5.6 and 16 where I normally shoot with that setup.

I've been looking at the 400mm f4, reviews say its very sharp, as it should be being a prime, but with no IS, I think it will be too hard or impossible to hand hold with the 2x tele installed.

So, for a little more money, and a kick to the speed nuts, I can get the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L. Obvious advantages are variable focal range and IS (even with extender, though I will lose AF) but I worry what the image quality might be like. I know what your thinking, it's "L" glass, it's the best!! But I'm not so impressed with the telephoto capabilities I have now, and want to make sure to improve it with this new setup. 800mm is going to amplify any issues it might have.

So my question is, has anyone any experience with the 100-400 lens, or it paired with the extender? Perhaps there is a lens I havn't noticed that is a better fit for what I described as my needs?

I don't typically buy non canon equipment, but if there is a spectacular piece from another vendor I'm open to checking it out. I'm a bit hard on equipment, so build quality is very high on the list of importance, so if your going to suggest outside the L line, please insure it stands up.

[RichardTaylor]

I have had one for at least 3 years and it is my most used lens (I do a lot of motor sport photography) and one of my favourite lenses.

It is a sharp (I don;t have any problem using it wide open for my needs), quick focussing, Good build quality and a very versatile lens. (not just for sport/birds). The only downside it is a little heavy as a general purpose travel/walk around tele lens.

I know a lot of motor sport (road racing) shooters who use them and are happy with them , however I have never seen one used with a T-con, and personally I would be very reluctant to do so especially with a 2X.

You may find this thread of interest.
Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens

and this one.
Which long lens for sports?

[DelCan]

I've had the 100-400mm for a number of years. While I don't use it a lot I would never give it up. It is a sharp lens and IS is amazing. I have very seldom used a tripod. I have never used an extender with it so I can't help you there,

You won't be sorry.

[OsmosisStudios]

Well you won't be using the 100-400 with a TC: with your 2x TC, you'd end up with an 800 f/11; focusing would be nearly impossible. You'd likely not even be using a 400/4 with a 2x TC, as you'd be at 800 f/8, which would still be very difficult to focus.

[Tzetsin]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Well you won't be using the 100-400 with a TC: with your 2x TC, you'd end up with an 800 f/11; focusing would be nearly impossible. You'd likely not even be using a 400/4 with a 2x TC, as you'd be at 800 f/8, which would still be very difficult to focus.

Having a 400mm native focal length should be good for most of what I've done so far. I've already got the tc, I'll give it a go, check the difficulty and image quality, if it's too difficult oh well. I can afford a lot of gear, but it's not so easy to justify the astronomical cost of the faster long lenses so the tc will at least give me the option to try if the situation calls for it. I always travel with a tripod, so that will help. Once it's set up on a tripod I can zoom in with live view and get the focus that way, provided there is time. It gives me options anyway.

Thanks for the links Richard I'll give them a read. Delcan, thank you for the reply, great image too the depth compression of 400mm is pretty impressive.

I applied for the canons CPS program, if I'm accepted I'll be able to rent/borrow the longer primes from canon to see if they are worth the cost.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

... You'd likely not even be using a 400/4 with a 2x TC, as you'd be at 800 f/8, which would still be very difficult to focus.

Tzetsin's planning on getting a 1DX--he should still be able to autofocus with an f/8 lens if that happens. Agreed, though, a 1.4x would probably be a better bet with the 100-400L.

I haven't used the 100-400L. I went for the 400/5.6L prime, for the light weight, sharpness and AF performance, because I use it for bird-in-flight shots 95% of the time. Love it to pieces, but it's a PITA at the zoo and at other times when 400mm is too long, and not having IS limits it even farther.

A trick with autofocus and tcs is to tape over the reporting contact pins (three pins on the left). It'll throw off your EXIF, and the AF performance might suck, but without the TC reporting to the body, you can fool the camera into still trying to autofocus even with combinations where the max. aperture is f/8. That's how I use a cheapie Tamron 1.4x on my 400/5.6 (it's non-reporting).

[Tzetsin]

Ok, finally got a hold of this guy. Haven't had much opportunity to use it in any serious manner, but I got to play around a little.

Threw the TC on it... because you know I had to try it out... This is the kind of range a 400mm + 2 x TC and a 1.6 crop 60D gives you. The IQ sucks hard but if you were a paparazzi it'd do in a pinch ;D

This first image is taken with a 50mm prime on a full frame camera. It should represent fairly well what you would see had you been standing where the next image was shot.

_MG_8833-940.jpg

This is what it zooms to.

_MG_0104-940.jpg

I guess its proof positive that putting the TC on there isnt worth the trouble. I had to manually focus on a tripod and use the 10 second timer just to get it that good.

I guess that setup would pretty much only be good for shooting the "stars" both astronomical and earth bound

[RichardTaylor]

I agree - only if you are real desperate.
Thanks for posting.

[DelCan]

At least you know what it can do. You just never know when it will come in handy.