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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Canon 100-400mm Lens - Your thoughts
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12/11/2011 04:52:01 PM · #1
Am pondering the purchase of a long lens and if I go Canon this is the longest zoom available.

All of the current lenses I own can be shot wide open with very sharp results.

I have a question to those of you who own this lens.
If you shoot this lens wide open (at all focus lengths) is it sharp?
What do you love and hate about this lens?

Thanks for the input.

12/11/2011 05:02:42 PM · #2
Not a firsthand experience, but here's a decent Review.
12/11/2011 05:46:44 PM · #3
I bought this lens earlier this summer. I very much enjoy using it for a wide variety of photos. It's extremely sharp, much sharper than I thought it would be.

I often shoot wide open and am very pleased with the results.

Love:
* Sharpness
* Push/pull zoom
* Very fast and accurate autofocus
* Pleasing bokeh
* Very solid build

Dislike:
* Very heavy
* Old IS only helps with 2 stops compared to 4 stops on newer lenses
* I would really have like f/4 constant

Hate:
* Nothing
12/11/2011 05:54:18 PM · #4
Originally posted by giantmike:

I bought this lens earlier this summer. I very much enjoy using it for a wide variety of photos. It's extremely sharp, much sharper than I thought it would be.

I often shoot wide open and am very pleased with the results.

Love:
* Sharpness
* Push/pull zoom
* Very fast and accurate autofocus
* Pleasing bokeh
* Very solid build

Dislike:
* Very heavy
* Old IS only helps with 2 stops compared to 4 stops on newer lenses
* I would really have like f/4 constant

Hate:
* Nothing


What he said, exactly. I like this lens a lot. I don't have any issues with sharpness wide open, though it does improve a bit stopped down. One thing he didn't mention is that there's noticeable vignetting wide open, but it's really easy to fix in post, it's automatic. Plus, your 7D has "Peripheral Illumination Correction", which will compensate for lens vignetting in-camera if you enable it, at least for supported Canon lenses, of which the 100-400mm is one :-)

R.
12/11/2011 06:12:34 PM · #5
Love mine. Very sharp. Accurate and fast focus. The slide zoom was weird at first but it is second nature now. I think the push pull action does increase sensor dust, but not a problem anymore with the sensor cleaner in the new cameras. I don't have any trouble carrying it around. You'll love it, especially if you shoot nature.
12/11/2011 06:22:11 PM · #6
Originally posted by Bear_Music:

One thing he didn't mention is that there's noticeable vignetting wide open, but it's really easy to fix in post, it's automatic. Plus, your 7D has "Peripheral Illumination Correction", which will compensate for lens vignetting in-camera if you enable it, at least for supported Canon lenses, of which the 100-400mm is one :-)


Huh, I have never noticed this on my 50D, and I have the peripheral illumination correction turned off. The crop sensor must not be big enough to show it.
12/11/2011 06:47:05 PM · #7
I love mine. Bought it to replace a 300mm prime and no regrets. One note, if you add 1.4 or 2.0 extender it will not autofocus unless you by-pass some contacts on lens which of course Canon does not support . But great lens and found it easy to adjust to slide zoom. Autofocus fast and spot on.
12/11/2011 06:53:18 PM · #8
Originally posted by giantmike:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

One thing he didn't mention is that there's noticeable vignetting wide open, but it's really easy to fix in post, it's automatic. Plus, your 7D has "Peripheral Illumination Correction", which will compensate for lens vignetting in-camera if you enable it, at least for supported Canon lenses, of which the 100-400mm is one :-)


Huh, I have never noticed this on my 50D, and I have the peripheral illumination correction turned off. The crop sensor must not be big enough to show it.


Correct.

R.

ETA: I see OP is a 7D, he won't have any issues with that.

Message edited by author 2011-12-11 18:54:07.
12/11/2011 08:29:00 PM · #9
I'll add another positive review. Any blurriness will likely come from motion blur due to the aperture limit rather than lens sharpness. You are impacted when limited to f/6.3, but your only other options are literally three times as expensive.
12/11/2011 09:02:22 PM · #10
Originally posted by DrAchoo:

I'll add another positive review. Any blurriness will likely come from motion blur due to the aperture limit rather than lens sharpness. You are impacted when limited to f/6.3, but your only other options are literally three times as expensive.


F/5.6 I believe. I will compensate low light by using high iso. Less motion blur but more noise.
12/11/2011 09:07:52 PM · #11
I love my 100-400. It's my default lens. I use it at 400mm a large amount of the time. And I shoot wide open frequently. I highly recommend it.
12/11/2011 09:14:10 PM · #12
some cracking shots with i on here i want one but mk11 body upgrade first

//www.dpchallenge.com/lens.php?LENS_ID=13
12/11/2011 10:17:07 PM · #13
Ok, thanks everyone for the feedbak. Will keep pondering it for now.
12/11/2011 10:56:06 PM · #14
Originally posted by cloudsme:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

I'll add another positive review. Any blurriness will likely come from motion blur due to the aperture limit rather than lens sharpness. You are impacted when limited to f/6.3, but your only other options are literally three times as expensive.


F/5.6 I believe. I will compensate low light by using high iso. Less motion blur but more noise.


Quite right. I just know I'm limited at the Duck night games. I shoot iso 3200 and usually can only get it to 1/400 at the fastest. Sounds fast, but it isn't quite enough.
12/11/2011 11:13:31 PM · #15
I wonder if/when this thing will get released.

It seems like a great alternative which would have 200-400mm range at a fixed f/4 plus a built in 1.4x extender for 560mm range
12/11/2011 11:36:54 PM · #16

I certainly like it
12/12/2011 12:08:42 AM · #17
Originally posted by bhuge:

I wonder if/when this thing will get released.

It seems like a great alternative which would have 200-400mm range at a fixed f/4 plus a built in 1.4x extender for 560mm range


I'll bet that lens will cost big bucks. Probably 5 times what the 100-400 costs.
12/12/2011 12:54:49 AM · #18
Originally posted by cloudsme:

Originally posted by bhuge:

I wonder if/when this thing will get released.

It seems like a great alternative which would have 200-400mm range at a fixed f/4 plus a built in 1.4x extender for 560mm range


I'll bet that lens will cost big bucks. Probably 5 times what the 100-400 costs.


Rumor had it targeted for $3,500-4,000, actually. Who knows how accurate that is?

R.
12/12/2011 05:02:40 AM · #19
Kind of echo what everyone else has said, I love mine, great sharpness, often use it just hand held, also use a lightweight cheap monopod and a belt pouch to take the weight sometimes.

The other lens I am considering but no idea how sharp is the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 ... it's heavier ~2.5kg rather than 1.5kg but with a 2 x converter 600mm @ f5.6 is very appealing for the extra reach and f2.8 is appealing to 100mm. I don't know how sharp it is though, I'm going to hire one for a weekend in January to play with.
12/12/2011 06:01:32 AM · #20
There are great reviews for the newer Canon 70-300L. Just feel that my 70-200 f4 with a 1.4 on it is too similar to this. That's why the 100-400 is more appealing.

Also like the look of the 50-500 OS sigma but I don't think it's very sharp shot wide open and that is a must for me. Maybe I'm wrong and it is sharp - anyone got one that can make a comment on it?

12/12/2011 05:38:43 PM · #21
Be aware Canon is releasing a new version of the 100-400. This lens is faster by half a stop (f4). Uses new coatings and a up to date IS system. I would imagine the push pull will be gone. Not sure though on this one. I have heard it is coming out after the 200-400. So I am not sure of a release date.
12/12/2011 05:49:30 PM · #22
Originally posted by Magnumphotography:

Be aware Canon is releasing a new version of the 100-400. This lens is faster by half a stop (f4). Uses new coatings and a up to date IS system. I would imagine the push pull will be gone. Not sure though on this one. I have heard it is coming out after the 200-400. So I am not sure of a release date.


I'm interested Where did you hear this?
12/12/2011 05:54:51 PM · #23
Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by cloudsme:

Originally posted by bhuge:

I wonder if/when this thing will get released.

It seems like a great alternative which would have 200-400mm range at a fixed f/4 plus a built in 1.4x extender for 560mm range


I'll bet that lens will cost big bucks. Probably 5 times what the 100-400 costs.


Rumor had it targeted for $3,500-4,000, actually. Who knows how accurate that is?

R.


The Nikon 200-400 runs about $7000 without the 1.4 tele. Hard to believe the Canon would be that inexpensive.
12/12/2011 05:58:38 PM · #24
Originally posted by cloudsme:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Rumor had it targeted for $3,500-4,000, actually. Who knows how accurate that is?

R.


The Nikon 200-400 runs about $7000 without the 1.4 tele. Hard to believe the Canon would be that inexpensive.


You're probably right. I'm not very good with vaporware :-)

R.
12/12/2011 07:07:34 PM · #25
Originally posted by cloudsme:

Originally posted by Magnumphotography:

Be aware Canon is releasing a new version of the 100-400. This lens is faster by half a stop (f4). Uses new coatings and a up to date IS system. I would imagine the push pull will be gone. Not sure though on this one. I have heard it is coming out after the 200-400. So I am not sure of a release date.


I'm interested Where did you hear this?


Canon rumors.com.
They say it may be announced in January.
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