Anyone have a Canon 100-400L? Do you like it?

06/18/2009 10:40:26 AM · #1

20th anniversary is coming up next week--and hubby is being really sweet, and considering a 100-400L lens. I currently have the 75-300, and it's not great. It just isn't very clear at full extension.

It's a big investment, and it makes me a little bit nervous. Is it worth it? Any insight would be greatly appreciated! I use the 75-300 a lot...

thanks!

Prof_Fate

06/18/2009 10:50:40 AM · #2

I don't have a long lens and this one seems like a good deal so I'm interested in any feedback on it too!
//www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/100-400.html has a review and comparison. The 300F4 is a nice lens - i've used one - and I have a 1.4TC so this is a large temptation, but I'm a zoom guy and like the versatility of 100-400 - to do that with the 300 requires more lens swapping and perhaps missed shots. I'd never use the 100-400 at a wedding (too slow) but the 300 I might.
Decisions decisions!

PhotoDave

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

06/18/2009 11:03:19 AM · #3

I dont have that lens but have used one a couple times and its pretty sweet, the push/pull zoom takes a little getting used to but its not that bad, maybe try renting one first and see if you like it enough to buy it...

Heres another review on that lens as well

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

06/18/2009 11:07:12 AM · #4

Awesome lens for the price. If you can deal with the weight and push-pull zoom, it's tough to beat even with a prime. If I'm going anywhere where I need reach, the otherwise-stellar 70-200 stays at home.

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

06/18/2009 11:17:55 AM · #5

Originally posted by scalvert:

Ditto.

SaraR

Sony Alpha a7R III

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

06/18/2009 11:58:21 AM · #6

I love mine; sadly I may have to sell it :Â¬(

dahkota

Canon EOS-7D

06/18/2009 12:04:15 PM · #7

Love it. For a while, it was the most used lens I have. If I had to give up every lens but one, this would probably be the one I keep (I don't have a 70-200 2.8 IS).

Maggye

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

06/18/2009 12:04:37 PM · #8

I love mine too, works great!

06/18/2009 12:07:00 PM · #9

Is the push/pull zoom hard to control? Sounds a little odd...

Maggye

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

06/18/2009 12:08:08 PM · #10

Originally posted by vawendy:

Is the push/pull zoom hard to control? Sounds a little odd...

Not too bad once you get used to it

Steef

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM

06/18/2009 12:15:51 PM · #11

i've been kicking around the idea of the 100-400L or the 400 f/5.6L. I pretty much keep my 70-300mm pegged at 300 all the time, so why not grab the prime, but then again, maybe i'd have to zoom out sometimes and it would be worth the extra cost for the 100-400, or maybe keep the 70-300 for times when i might need a wider shot, and use the 400 when i need more reach or..

i'll be keeping an eye on this thread.

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

06/18/2009 12:17:56 PM · #12

It's my favourite lens.

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

06/18/2009 12:22:13 PM · #13

Originally posted by vawendy:

Is the push/pull zoom hard to control? Sounds a little odd...

You can adjust the push/pull constraint to suit your finger strength or dexterity. Some call this type of zoom a "dust pump", because it allegedly sucks dust into the lens during extension and while firmly mounted. I have not found this an issue during my course of use.

dahkota

Canon EOS-7D

06/18/2009 12:26:15 PM · #14

Originally posted by vawendy:

Is the push/pull zoom hard to control? Sounds a little odd...

The push/pull can be tightened or loosened. When I'm wandering around, I tighten it up so it doesn't slip but when I find a place I am going to shoot from for a while I loosen it up as much as possible to make quick changes. I don't find it difficult to use at all. Often you will see remarks about dust being sucked in but, so far, I've been pretty lucky. And anyone who knows me knows I treat my lens like crap in that regard... It really is worth the money. I also have the newer 70-300 IS that I use when I don't want to carry the 100-400L. You can definitely tell the quality difference in the output (image results).

whoops - its the 70-300...

Here - had this in my workshop for the last time someone asked.

100% crop at 400mm (640mm with 1.6crop) at 400 ISO and 1/100sec on monopod.

Message edited by author 2009-06-18 12:30:59.

SandyP

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 USM

06/18/2009 01:04:07 PM · #15

Sara, if you seell yours, how much are you asking for it? I used to have the 70-300 IS, and it broke. I really loved that lens. Now, I have the 70-200L IS, which I also love. The quality is better than the 70-300 (I guess because of the L ??) but I do miss the extra zoom and have been wanting to buy a longer zoom too.

MattO

Nikon D4

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

06/18/2009 01:30:54 PM · #16

Originally posted by vawendy:

Is the push/pull zoom hard to control? Sounds a little odd...

Its not hard to control, what is hard to control is the amount of dust that the design is sure to put inside the lens over time. Nature of the beast and likely its only downfall.

Matt

Jedusi

06/18/2009 01:33:10 PM · #17

It's not a question of liking the lens - I love the 100-400.

Push pull is a shame - but it's no real issue. As for the 'Dust Pump' we've all heard the accusation, but I've never actually met anyone that's suffered it. Mine certainly doesn't and I've had and used it continuously for around 3 years now.

I take it you have looked here 100-400 to see the range of shot's it can take ?

Message edited by author 2009-06-18 13:36:27.

Scapeshots

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM II

06/18/2009 01:34:52 PM · #18

It comes in a close second to my 70-200 2.8L IS. The 100-400 rocks!

MattO

Nikon D4

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

06/18/2009 01:40:43 PM · #19

Originally posted by Jedusi:

I've owned two copies of it. Sold my last one after having it cleaned a second time by Canon. Read some of the other forums about it. Luminous Landscape and some others you will find some that have had the issue. Its a design issue and something that almost can't be avoided.

Matt

Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM

06/18/2009 02:00:04 PM · #20

Originally posted by Jedusi:

thank you! I hadn't thought of that.

The main concern that I have is: can it be hand held at 400 (or even at 300) and still be acceptably sharp? My 70-300IS doesn't seem to be sharp at full extension, even with a shutter speed of 1/5000. I haven't tried it on a tripod, because 97% of the time, a tripod isn't practical... With the extra weight, does it make hand-held shots more difficult?

(btw, thanks for all the responses--I'm finding this extremely helpful!)

SaraR

Sony Alpha a7R III

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

06/18/2009 02:07:45 PM · #21

Originally posted by vawendy:

Originally posted by Jedusi:
It's not a question of liking the lens - I love the 100-400.

Push pull is a shame - but it's no real issue. As for the 'Dust Pump' we've all heard the accusation, but I've never actually met anyone that's suffered it. Mine certainly doesn't and I've had and used it continuously for around 3 years now.

I take it you have looked here 100-400 to see the range of shot's it can take ?

thank you! I hadn't thought of that.

The main concern that I have is: can it be hand held at 400 (or even at 300) and still be acceptably sharp? My 70-300IS doesn't seem to be sharp at full extension, even with a shutter speed of 1/5000. I haven't tried it on a tripod, because 97% of the time, a tripod isn't practical... With the extra weight, does it make hand-held shots more difficult?

(btw, thanks for all the responses--I'm finding this extremely helpful!)

The majority of mine are hand held - and I can get reasonable images at 400mm as low as 1/200th with the IS on. I do get a bit of an aching wrist after a couple of hours, but worth it.

Steef

Canon EOS-40D

06/18/2009 02:08:08 PM · #22

Originally posted by vawendy:

I have the 70-300mm IS. i don't think it's the camera shake that is hurting your sharpness. Try stopping it down to f/8 if you have the light for it, i think you'll find your shots to be much more sharp.

Five_Seat

Canon EOS-6D

06/18/2009 02:10:51 PM · #23

I am borrowing the lens more or less indefintely from a friend and have used it on several occassions. I as long as you keep the shutter speeds pretty resonable - somewhere around the 1/focal length and you have the IS on, it is easy to get some sharp pics, at least that is what I have found with my 50D. With the IS I can get down to 1/200th and be pretty decent at 400mm handheld.

With that said I am also a 6-4 200lb 23yr old who doesn't really mind lugging it around all day. You have to remember that is considerably larger/heavier than the 70-300.

ace flyman

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

06/18/2009 02:15:56 PM · #24

just traded mine for a 70-200mm 2.8 is, I do miss the reach. The only minor problem, tough in low light conditions at the long end. Great lens.

EDIT; as in low light action shots (sports), still subjects just fine.

Message edited by author 2009-06-18 15:40:26.