Canon 100-400L - anyone got one?

Calina

Hi guys,

was looking at "other people's" photographs today, in particularly some guy in the Canary Islands who seems to be shooting kitesurfing with a 350D and a 100-400L. As it's not completely outrageously expensive, and he seems to be getting nice stuff out of it, I was thinking about having a look at it.

I'd like to know how sharp it is a the long end, and also, whether it's reasonably okay with a 1.5 or 2.0 teleconverter on the end. I currently use a Sigma 500mm zoom which I'm getting on - for the most part - okay with - but I'd like a little more sharpness on the long end.

If I were to go down that route, it wouldnt' be an immediate purchase as I'm currently broke after the 40D last week.

Fenster

My brother shoots using one and it's honestly an amazing lens.

Paulw

I have the 100-400mm and don't use it that much these days. It is a great lens. Very good for it's range and clarity. It does take a little getting used to though.

But, combined with a 2x extender, it's not the best at all, especially when you factor in the aperture.

City-Exile

Someone in the Canary Islands will benefit from much better light than you're likely to get in Ireland.

Having said that, Paulw gave me a bash of his & I was very impressed.

Calina

I guess that's true up to a point...although we do better during the summer (usually).

I don't know. I'm also looking at waterproof casings at the moment as that's probably a slightly more pressing need and really I can't be flinging much more money at this for the next year or so.

Borderfox

I had one and sold it to get the Sigma 120-300 f2.8. Super lens but being f6.3 on the long end kills it for my use. Sigma is working out really well and should work out well when I stick a 2x on it

newbusiness

Great lens, but has limits:

375-400 mm is not as good as it should be, some might even say soft toward 400mm. This persists even when stopped down (I also shot in the Canaries!)

It's f/5.6 - needs LOTS of light, often unusable in Ireland in winter!

SIGMA's NEW 150-500mm OS! - just announced, if your not in a rush then hold off to see the reviews, should be a great lens (sigma's 50-500 was, this is a shorter range, has OS and is a newer design)

mikeanywhere

Borderfox wrote: »

I had one and sold it to get the Sigma 120-300 f2.8. Super lens but being f6.3 on the long end kills it for my use. Sigma is working out really well and should work out well when I stick a 2x on it

Totally agree with Borderfox. Its a shame it isnt a 2.8 and the Bigma lenses are top quality too at a fraction of the cost.


I dont use it anywhere near as much as I should but with the way my work is going there is less and less need for it. My 100-400 got me this baby which is going to be on a CD cover in the UK very shortly.