Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS USM Lens

Product Rating
4.33 of 5
3 reviews

Price Range
$1330 - $2404

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Product Description

Summary

Recently bought with a 5D with the intention is to use for wildlife photography.

Still learning to use the IS and its 2 modes but seems quick to focus on the subject.
Still learning how to use the lens and the camera features to get the most out of the lens.

The pictures so far seem sharp at all lengths. The zoom ring needs to be kept reasonably tight to prevent the lense slamming forward when pointing down and to prevent unintentional movement when zooming. Still not found an easy way of doing this one handed yet.

Manual focusing is quick and easy and the zoom being in the same ring makes composing easy.

Still mastering but at the moment I am pleased with the ability on the 5D and the pictures so far are terrific and getting better as I'm getting used to it.

Weight I thought would be an issue but not finding this as it seems to be balanced nicely with the 5D body.

Construction is excellent and everything feels well put together.

Strength

Quick to acquire focus
IS is a bonus hand held
Construction
Contrast
Balance with the 5D
Hood included in price

Weakness

Small amount of vignetting at full open max zoom (bird against bright sky) but not a real problem
Zoom tightening control requires two hands
Cost of filters

Summary

I've used this lens for a year and half now, and I'm happy with it.
I started out cheap, with a comparable Sigma, and upgraded after a week.
It's proved good for wildlife and motorsport, though limited by the f5.6 maximum aperture at 400mm.
Like most zoom lenses it's better stopped down from wide open, particularly on the 1D series bodies which show up the fall-off in the corners not so evident on the 20D with its 1.6 crop factor.

I'd recommend it for the 1.6 crop factor bodies (20D, 30D, XTi etc).

Purchase price was £1180

Strength

Good IS.
Surprisingly lightweight.
Easy to handhold at 400mm with IS.

Weakness

Push-pull design, external zoom changes length of lens.
Therefore not as water resistant as the 70-200 L IS 2.8.

Mode switches (IS, AF etc) are easily knocked when taking it out of a camera bag.
You need to get into the habit of checking them every time you use the lens.

Seems soft at 400mm/f5.6 but good at f/9.
Some vignetting evident wide open, improves at f/8.

Not usable with the 2x TC, no AF and manual focus is very sensitive, viewfinder is rather dark with the f/11 maximum aperture with the TC on.
Bear in mind I wear glasses and younger users may find manual focus acceptable.

Summary

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.

I used this lens to shoot my brothers surfing from numerous beachs in Hawaii. I use this lens with a Canon 5d and my Gitzo tripod with ulitmate ballhead. With the lens mounted to my tripod on the beach I was easily able to track the surfering. The focus was instant with VERY few mis focuses. I mostly used the lens at the 400mm area, and at that point with the lens fully extended and slight compression on the ballhead, I was able to easily track in any direction with very good balance.

In the next few weeks I plan on doing some shooting at the local zoo using primarily this lens. I am also planning a couple of trips into the Everglades and will be using this lens for the various wildlife.

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.

Weight when handholding

When using a Circular polerizor you have to set it to your desired spot before adding the lens hood.