Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM 35mm Zoom
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM 35mm Zoom
USER REVIEWS
[Feb 10, 2013]
Leo
Expert
Strength:
Nice reach, good IQ even on a Fullframe , solid build,IS
Weakness:
IS shows it's age. I need two hands to control the tightening ring. Very nice zoom with very big reach, there is no alternative. I have had the 400 F5.6L but saw no better IQ. The IS makes it possible to work without a mono-pod, but you need daylight off-course. Nice zoom for a visit to the zoo for example.
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[Sep 01, 2010]
ksbryan0
Intermediate
Strength:
Coupled with the 7D, this lens has a very convenient reach that allows captures of skittish wildlife. The focus sweet spot on my copy is in the F8-11 range, but is performs well at most any aperature smaller than wide-open. Though heavy, this lens is built like a tank and could probably be used as a defensive weapon or a baseball bat, without suffering any damage! Nearly all my shooting is done hand-held, and I have found the IS effectively delivers 1.5-2 F-stops. This is a little less than Canon advertises, but my hands tend to shake considerably normally-even worse after lugging this tool around for a couple hours. The Canon-provided lens hood has effectively prevented flare during all my shooting. The lens offers a very useful field of view range for a lot of all around shooting. I have used this lens for pseudo-macro photography of flowers and insects, and it has produced exceptional results, and does a nice job of blurring the background and delivers subtle bokeh when lighting conditions are right.
Weakness:
You won't have to read many reviews to find that a common complaint about this lens is it's weight, and there is no question that it is a heavy unit. Some will see this as a drawback, but it is also a testatment to the quality of construction. I suspect it could take a lot of abuse and still perform well, but I am not going to intentionally test that theory. If you haven't packed around long L-lens before, it will take some getting use to before it feels natural. The only performance weakness that I believe is serious is that, even when mounted on the 7D, in AF mode it has a hard time accurately adjusting focus on fast moving objects that are approaching or moving away, such as birds in flight. To some degree, it also seems to need more contrast for the AF to sharply lock focus than the Canon EF 70-200 2.8 L. I have tried to use a 1.4 TC II with this lens and have determined that the magnification becomes too great for me to effectively hand-hold the lens while shooting. The AF does not function when using the TC unless the pins are taped, but even then I have not been satisfied with the keep-rate of my results. After viewing a large number of images on a multitude of forums that were created using the Canon EF 100-400 4-5.6 IS L, I decided to give it a try myself. A Craigslist ad described a used, two-owner copy as near mint condition, which I determined to be accurate when I inspected it. Mounted to a Canon EOS 7D, I started to get to know my new L-lens. The push-pull method this model requires for the tele-zoom takes a little getting use to, but within a reasonable amount of time it started feeling 'normal' to me. The bigger adjustment was simply getting use to the extra weight of this lens and finding a comfortable way to carry it for a long period of time, especially when extended to the 400 mm setting. Over the past 6+ months I have had the opportunity to challenge the lens in a wide variety of shooting situations and conditions, and am satisfied enough with it that I have reached a point where I nearly consider it permanently installed to the 7D, and my "go-to" wildlife lens choice. Customer Service Haven't needed it yet. Similar Products Used: Canon EF 70-200 2.8 L
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[Jun 27, 2009]
ben wigg
Intermediate
Strength:
easy to use
Weakness:
none if you ask me i am a sporting photographer for a local soccer club and if u ask me this lense
Customer Service never need service by me or the previous owner Similar Products Used: sigma 50-500 |
[Jan 28, 2008]
iclick
Professional
Strength:
Well made, Excellent sharpness smooth operation. I love the push pull zoom it is fast and smooth.
Weakness:
None, it is just an allaroud wonderful tool. Excellent images on both FF 5D and 1.6 20D. Allows sharp selective focusing close in and long reaching telephoto. Teamed with the 24-1o5 an outdoor photographer will need only a superwide and a Macro to cover all aspects of the world. With the 20D crop factor you can rewach out and capture wildlife at incredible distance without disturbing anything. I have sold many 24 x 36 images taken with this lense with little or no software processing. Customer Service Have never needed any work done on any canon products in over 35 years of use. Still have and use 35mm equipment purchased in 1970. |
[Apr 25, 2007]
readingr
Intermediate
Strength:
Quick to acquire focus
Weakness:
Small amount of vignetting at full open max zoom (bird against bright sky) but not a real problem
Recently bought with a 5D with the intention is to use for wildlife photography.
Customer Service Jessops (Basingstoke) - exceptional as usual |
[Dec 15, 2006]
SmartWombat
Expert
Strength:
Good IS.
Weakness:
Push-pull design, external zoom changes length of lens.
I've used this lens for a year and half now, and I'm happy with it.
Customer Service Jessops took the Sigma back no questions asked, and sold me the more expensive Canon lens with no re-stocking fee. Excellent ! Similar Products Used: Sigma 80-400 DG EX IS (about £300 cheaper)
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[Dec 10, 2006]
bdunk
Expert
Strength:
Good balance with used on my tripod. IS and Focus are ecellent. Lens is built like a tank.
Weakness:
If the tightening ring on the lens is not set and you let the lens move forward without your hand on it the lens will fully extend causing the lens to slam.
I purchased this lens before a recent trip to Hawaii to visit my brother. I debated over this lens and the 70-200L f/2.8 IS with a 2x converter. I decided on this lens in part because of the savings in cost. With that extra money I also purchased a 17-40L.
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[Jul 10, 2006]
vhemmati
Intermediate
Strength:
FL Range, IS, Built Quality, Color and sharpness
Weakness:
Personally I don't like its white color but it's not a big deal for me. I bought this lens couple of months ago and man I like it! But I have to mention that this lens is my first exprience with Canon Tele lens in L series. The great thing about it is the IS which ables you to take handheld pictures. It is kinda heavy but what do you expext for this FL range and built quality? In my opinion having this lens beside a 24-105 IS is the best option for any intermidiate photographer. |
[May 28, 2006]
RikWriter
Intermediate
Strength:
Light, fairly compact, easily hand-holdable, versatile, good color.
Weakness:
Not as sharp as the 400 f5.6 prime, IS not that useful, zoom lock complicated to use. I bought this lens to replace my 400 f5.6L prime, since I wanted a lens that was shorter and more compact that I could take with me while hiking in a lens carrier on a waist pack. I kind of wish I had the 400 prime back, as it was a much sharper lens and produced more "keeper" shots than this one. The 100-400 is a great lens, but its IQ is just not as good as the 400. Also, for all the vaunted value of the IS system, frankly I have found it not that useful since my main use for this lens is wildlife, and while the IS can keep your image from moving it can't do a thing about the animal moving during a longer exposure.
Customer Service NA Similar Products Used: Canon 400mm f5.6L
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[May 23, 2006]
David Money
Expert
Strength:
The IS REALLY does work. San Diego zoo, late afternoon, shaded enclosure, 400ASA film but light so low that the best it could manage was 1/20 second at f5.6 with lens at 400mm. No chance? Every whisker on those Meercats came out sharp and clear! I really bought it for airshows and the focussing is fast enough to keep a jet in focus. A front cell focussing lens can't do that. Have to grumble about all the money I wasted not buying the right lens to start with!
Weakness:
Big and heavy. I got a lot of comment from the teeny digital users at the zoo - they were certainly impressed, but I had to tell them they wouldn't like to carry it all day. Haven't yet found a snoot bag that will carry the lens on a body with battery grip. Leave the tripod mount on the lens - it makes holding onto the thing much safer. No complaints about push pull zoom as there is a friction lock Had it for just over a year. Bought it for the rear cell focussing and IS. It semi replaces a Tokina ATX 80-400 which was very sharp but too slow on focus. I have kept the Tokina as it is a lot smaller and the 80-100mm bit is useful sometimes too. Customer Service Not needed Similar Products Used: Tokina ATX 80-400mm (sharp, slow focus, noisy)
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