Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM - Lens?
Discussion
Yep - got one of these too, and while it's heavy compared to most "normal" lenses, it's not too bad to carry around, and is light enough to hand-hold too.
I tend to use it when I can't be bothered to carry my 300mm f2.8 (which is too heavy to hand-hold for any length of time), and when I don't need the extra light that the faster lens gives. The only issue I have is that it I don't get autofocus when I use my 1.4x or 2x extenders as the max aperture drops below f5.6, but I tend to use the 300mm in these cases. You'll have the advantage of the 1.6 crop factor with the 10D anyway, so this shouldn't be so much of an issue.
All in all, I think it's a great lens, and the IS is very useful too.
I tend to use it when I can't be bothered to carry my 300mm f2.8 (which is too heavy to hand-hold for any length of time), and when I don't need the extra light that the faster lens gives. The only issue I have is that it I don't get autofocus when I use my 1.4x or 2x extenders as the max aperture drops below f5.6, but I tend to use the 300mm in these cases. You'll have the advantage of the 1.6 crop factor with the 10D anyway, so this shouldn't be so much of an issue.
All in all, I think it's a great lens, and the IS is very useful too.
It's a fantastic lens. I have one on my 10D too. Really crisp images.
The push pull zoom takes a bit of getting used to if you're used to the twist grips, and whilst you can hand hold, those with less strong wrists might have bother holding it steady at full zoom (my sister had hassle for example).
It's also so well built that it feels like it'll never break!
The two stabiliser modes are handy too (one designed to stop shake in one direction, which is good for panning shots.
If you're in the UK, I'd suggest a trip to Andorra or the US where it can be had for a 2/3s the price of the UK.
The push pull zoom takes a bit of getting used to if you're used to the twist grips, and whilst you can hand hold, those with less strong wrists might have bother holding it steady at full zoom (my sister had hassle for example).
It's also so well built that it feels like it'll never break!
The two stabiliser modes are handy too (one designed to stop shake in one direction, which is good for panning shots.
If you're in the UK, I'd suggest a trip to Andorra or the US where it can be had for a 2/3s the price of the UK.
murph7355 said:
It's a fantastic lens. I have one on my 10D too. Really crisp images.
The push pull zoom takes a bit of getting used to if you're used to the twist grips, and whilst you can hand hold, those with less strong wrists might have bother holding it steady at full zoom (my sister had hassle for example).
It's also so well built that it feels like it'll never break!
The two stabiliser modes are handy too (one designed to stop shake in one direction, which is good for panning shots.
If you're in the UK, I'd suggest a trip to Andorra or the US where it can be had for a 2/3s the price of the UK.
Yup, nice lense. I got mine at 17th Street Photo NY. Interesrting finding the shop....
Just a bit of advice on the maximum aperture front.
A heavy lens, such as the one you are interested in, demands fast shutter speeds or high ISO in order to avoid camera shake. As seen as you get a lot of noise at 400ISO plus, a slower shutter speed will be required if you want to keep around 100/200ISO. If your maximum aperture is around f5.6 then you are pretty much restricted if you want to shoot anything fast or in less than bright light.
I know that the price of f2.8 lenses can be scary, but trust me, they are worth it in terms of creative potential achieved with larger apertures, faster shutter speeds capable of shooting when light levels are low or when you need to capture some action. You can always use a tripod, but do you always want to be lugging one of these things around? Chances are the moment will be lost by the time you've put it up.
I have the Canon 70-200mm f2.8 Image Stabilizer and 24-70mm f2.8 lens. Both are excellent. The image stabilizer has allowed me to shoot at 1/30th second using the 1DS without a tripod. That's a fair old weight to manage and, therefore, a really strong selling point.
That's my experience anyway. I don't mean to sound patronising.
If you can manage a trip in to the States you will save a packet. I've bought most of my kit from New York over the years and the savings have been incredible.
EmmaP
>> Edited by EmmaP on Saturday 17th July 17:18
A heavy lens, such as the one you are interested in, demands fast shutter speeds or high ISO in order to avoid camera shake. As seen as you get a lot of noise at 400ISO plus, a slower shutter speed will be required if you want to keep around 100/200ISO. If your maximum aperture is around f5.6 then you are pretty much restricted if you want to shoot anything fast or in less than bright light.
I know that the price of f2.8 lenses can be scary, but trust me, they are worth it in terms of creative potential achieved with larger apertures, faster shutter speeds capable of shooting when light levels are low or when you need to capture some action. You can always use a tripod, but do you always want to be lugging one of these things around? Chances are the moment will be lost by the time you've put it up.
I have the Canon 70-200mm f2.8 Image Stabilizer and 24-70mm f2.8 lens. Both are excellent. The image stabilizer has allowed me to shoot at 1/30th second using the 1DS without a tripod. That's a fair old weight to manage and, therefore, a really strong selling point.
That's my experience anyway. I don't mean to sound patronising.
If you can manage a trip in to the States you will save a packet. I've bought most of my kit from New York over the years and the savings have been incredible.
EmmaP
>> Edited by EmmaP on Saturday 17th July 17:18
pbrett said:
Yup, nice lense. I got mine at 17th Street Photo NY. Interesrting finding the shop....
I quote myself www.17photo.com
There's B&H www.bhphotovideo.com but I like 17th better.
I looked at the 70-200IS. Very nice but if you need the reach you'll end up with a 2x extender and F5.6 anyway. More $$ as well. Depends on what you need (as always).
Cheers
Phil
EmmaP said:
...
A heavy lens, such as the one you are interested in, demands fast shutter speeds or high ISO in order to avoid camera shake. As seen as you get a lot of noise at 400ISO plus, a slower shutter speed will be required if you want to keep around 100/200ISO. If your maximum aperture is around f5.6 then you are pretty much restricted if you want to shoot anything fast or in less than bright light.
I know that the price of f2.8 lenses can be scary, but trust me, they are worth it in terms of creative potential achieved with larger apertures, faster shutter speeds capable of shooting when light levels are low or when you need to capture some action. You can always use a tripod, but do you always want to be lugging one of these things around? Chances are the moment will be lost by the time you've put it up.
I have the Canon 70-200mm f2.8 Image Stabilizer and 24-70mm f2.8 lens. Both are excellent. The image stabilizer has allowed me to shoot at 1/30th second using the 1DS without a tripod. That's a fair old weight to manage and, therefore, a really strong selling point.
...
EmmaP
>> Edited by EmmaP on Saturday 17th July 17:18
Emma
All valid points, but...
He's after a 400mm lens, I would think. Whilst you may be pushed to keep the thing steady in certain conditions, I would think that there are likely to be as many situations (potentially) where the lack of length will mean missing shots just as much.
Also, I don't get any noticeable noise on ISO400 shots, and even ISO800 are OK. IIRC the 1DS has a different type of sensor to the 10D (CCD v CMOS) - I wonder if that has some bearing on the noise you get at higher than ISO200, though I would have epxected it to bbe the other way round. Alternatively, perhaps you just have keener eyes than me
Canon don't currently do a 2.8 zoom lens with this much reach, so you're left with a compromise.
EmmaP said:
I know that the price of f2.8 lenses can be scary, but trust me, they are worth it in terms of creative potential achieved with larger apertures, faster shutter speeds capable of shooting when light levels are low or when you need to capture some action. You can always use a tripod, but do you always want to be lugging one of these things around? Chances are the moment will be lost by the time you've put it up.
>> Edited by EmmaP on Saturday 17th July 17:18
I agree that faster lens are worth a lot more, but it is very difficult to justify spending £6000 on a lens (or maybe less if getting it in the US) when you are an amateur. I've got the Nikkor 80-400mm which I find to be superb. Very compact, a great variety of focal lengths and not too heavy. Plus it has VR and is more than acceptably sharp. I've never used the Canon one, but I seem to remember it has USM, which is absent on mine, so is probably even better. Go for it!
ehasler said:
You only need 2.8 when shooting indoors.
Or outdoors with slow (e.g., ISO 50) film, and high shutter speeds, especially if there isn't strong sun light.
Absolutely right. And let's not forget the creative potential of large apertures. A large aperture isn't just for low level light!!
EmmaP
simpo two said:
We'd all like an Aston as well, but if it doesn't fit the budget, you don't have one. Few people are going to spend £1,000-£5,000 on a lens even if it *is* technically better.
I kind of agree, but...
If you're spending the same sort of money on a body, you're really not doing it justice by putting a mediocre lens on it.
The "kind of agree" bit comes from me previously having a Canon 75-300 IS USM non-L lens for long use. It gave what I thought were crisp, lovely pictures. Until I bought the 100-400L.
The difference in quality is hugely noticeable and worth the extra wedge IMO. Which isn't to say the 75-300 is a bad lens as it isn't.
As with most things involving component parts, they're usually only as good as the weakest link.
Popping a Mondeo engine into an Aston shell will give you some of the benefits, but not all
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