Canon 100-400 f4.5-5.6.......your thoughts

[HoHoHo]

I'm thinking of getting one for Le Mans and a couple of other motorsports events this year and general use when I need a decent zoom.

Whilst I'll use it on my 5D MKII, who owns one, and is it worth the money?

I'm also used to a ring zoom (24-70 f/2.8 and 70-200 f/2.8 IS), is the linear zoom a problem?

[RobDickinson]

I've borrowed one.

Its an intresting lens, theres realy nothing eqivelant out there.

Its damned sharp if you get things right, the IS IMO is a relic and needs tiem to settle but then should get you 2 stops.

The push pull zoom works well for me.

I went for a 400/5.6L instead, its lighter, cheaper, faster AF and better IQ ( edge sharpness and bokeh) - though there isnt a lot in it.

[DIW35]

These were taken with a Canon 100-400 mounted on a 5DII. Despite a lot of people saying that the 5DII isn't ideally suited to sport photography, I'm quite happy with the results I've been getting.

[dibbly dobbler]

I bought one last week and whilst it's a mighty impressive bit of kit I have been a bit taken aback by the size and weight of the thing - my 450D is like a matchbox stuck on the end of a bazooka! It's not something you would carry around in a bag and just stick on when you see a nice birdie or whatever but you probably already knew that It may be that I move it on to a more deserving home in due course but I will persevere for a while I think. If you're a serious snapper I suspect you would find it ace, but it may be that it requires a bit more comitment than I currently have ...

[HoHoHo]

Cheers Guys - bought and on its way

I take on board DD's comments re size etc - my 70-200 f2.8 tends to stay at home when I'm not using it as I'm not one for changing lenses on site (FOS, Le Mans by the track for example) because of the st that enters the camera.

Looking forward to having a play......

More images would be good to see

[crmcatee]

I've got one and like it - but it's a heavy lens if you're holding it for a while.

Top tip..
I've gotten into the habit of using the tripod mount on the lens with a monopod with a small ball head on top - not so much for stability(though it helps) but keeps to save my arms from feeling like they're dragging on the ground behind me after spending all day shooting with it. The ball gives you complete flexibility to shoot in any angle you want whilst you are not supporting the lens.

[HoHoHo]

Interesting top tip - thanks!

I've got a monopod which I carry around and it's worth remembering.

[DIW35]

Here's a couple more. Sorry they are all bikes, but they are the only shots I have using the 10-400 on the 5DII.

[toasty]

dibbly dobbler said:

I bought one last week and whilst it's a mighty impressive bit of kit I have been a bit taken aback by the size and weight of the thing - my 450D is like a matchbox stuck on the end of a bazooka! It's not something you would carry around in a bag and just stick on when you see a nice birdie or whatever but you probably already knew that It may be that I move it on to a more deserving home in due course but I will persevere for a while I think. If you're a serious snapper I suspect you would find it ace, but it may be that it requires a bit more comitment than I currently have ...

I've had mine for a couple of weeks now but not really had a chance to use it in anger yet. I agree it is a weighty log of a lens and not really suited to a casual walkaround. I am looking forward to using it for wildlife (when it gets a bit warmer) and Le Mans.

[XB70]

Agree with all of the above. A heavy beast but the reach is exceptional.

Mine is in the classified section at the moment if anyone is interested.

[Yellabelly]

I tried using a ball head but, when using the Sigma 150 - 500 found that it was not that easy to control. I now use a Manfrotto 234RC Monopod Tilt Head with Quick Release on top of a monopod and find that it is far easier to use.

YB

[minky monkey]

Imo, it can be an excellent lens. But it needs good light. I use one to shoot football and it's excellent in decent light, to get the best from mine I need to stop it down, it can get soft at the wide end.

I find the minute the light level drops, the AF struggles and I start to miss shots. As soon as that happens, I change to a 70-200mm f4. I shoot with a 7d, so the AF on that is pretty good.

[markmullen]

I used one at Le Mans last year, great lens but after 24 hours with it I was really feeling the weight and ended up using my old 55-250 for the last few hours.

[MonkeyHanger]

Had one, liked it, bought the 120-300 as f2.8 was more use to me and sold the 100-400.

A good one will be very good, but a bad one can be truly awful. Personally I'd go for a 70-200 and 400 f5.6 prime but that's just me.

It is probably the best lens out there if you like air shows.

Edited by MonkeyHanger on Monday 24th January 18:30

[anonymous-user]

Use mine mainly for airshows, although have done Le Mans a couple of times with it. Unfortunately Photobucket has compressed these a bit, but you get the idea.

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 24th January 20:51

[minky monkey]

MonkeyHanger said:

Had one, liked it, bought the 120-300 as f2.8 was more use to me and sold the 100-400.

A good one will be very good, but a bad one can be truly awful. Personally I'd go for a 70-200 and 400 f5.6 prime but that's just me.

It is probably the best lens out there if you like air shows.

Edited by MonkeyHanger on Monday 24th January 18:30

How are you getting on with the Sigma. I'm looking at one for football, I need fast glass for the floodlights. Any issues with it?

[RobDickinson]

Loved the 120-300/2.8 I borrowed for a weekend.

Wasnt as sharp as I'd like at 300/2.8 but certainly usable, gorgeous bokeh and flare.

Waiting for reviews of the new OS version which should be improved opticaly too, and weathersealed!

[MonkeyHanger]

minky monkey said:

How are you getting on with the Sigma. I'm looking at one for football, I need fast glass for the floodlights. Any issues with it?

I've had it nearly 4 years now. I wouldn't swap it for anything, but it's a heavy beast!.

[HoHoHo]

Arrived today and it's bloody lovely.

Slightly smaller than my 70-200 f2.8 and probably not much difference in weight. I'm off to Vegas for the weekend on a business trip and although I'm not going to be searching for wildlife in my spare time, the sun is shining, it's warm and I think I'll have a play and take a few shots of the strip.

Cheers guys and have a good weekend

Edited by HoHoHo on Wednesday 26th January 21:30

[RobDickinson]

Good luck with it, remember it will take some time to get things right, I know 400/5.6 doesnt seem that different to 200/2.8 but in reality it does add another dimension.