Canon 100-400 IS USM lens

[55jnj]

Anyone (amateurs not pros) here bought one ? Thoughts ? Recommendations or otherwise ?

Seems a fantastic piece of kit to me, especially for sports work such as motorsport etc. But also a (very) big investment just for a lens, which I don't mind making if there's a compelling reason. None of my existing Canon lenses are IS & I've managed up to now to get useful quality. Have I been missing something ?

Also it's a fairly weighty thing & yet isn't there an issue that you shouldn't actually use IS lenses with tripods or you risk damaging the lens ?

[anonymous-user]

Convinced yet

I have heard of a few people with Error 99 codes on the 20D with the 100-400 & battery grip set up. Mind you these are aviation photographers who give their gear a hammering.

All of the above were taken on a 300D with a 100-400L lens.

[55jnj]

Definitely sold - very convincing message - fantastic pics.

I have a 20D & the battery grip though which makes me a little concerned now. Was going to buy the lens tomorrow. Local dealer has brought one in on a best price match deal for me (incl Pixmania & the like). How will the error code be notified ? At the time of taking a shot, or only when I come to download ?

Went for a 20D over 300D because of write speeds etc but you seem to have captured fast moving action excellently. Well done again.

R

[55jnj]

Have been trying to guess where exactly you were standing at BH to get that shot of Piquet. Please enlighten me.

[simpo two]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I think a lot of the success of those shots is due to the skill of the cameraman, not just the lens

[.Adam.]

I've got one as well, very pleased with it. I brought it primarily because of the IS, the only problem is its bulk, but it is worth it. Some recent stuff I have taken with it on a 20D can be found here.

>> Edited by .Adam. on Thursday 13th October 21:45

[55jnj]

Adam, notice you too are using the 20D/100-400 IS combo as I intend to. Any "error 99" codes ?

[.Adam.]

55jnj said:

Adam, notice you too are using the 20D/100-400 IS combo as I intend to. Any "error 99" codes ?

I was just going to say no, but actually I have had a couple, both times have been cleared just by turning it off and on. Shall have to look into this to see if there is a 'fix'!

>> Edited by .Adam. on Thursday 13th October 21:50

[55jnj]

55jnj said:

Have been trying to guess where exactly you were standing at BH to get that shot of Piquet. Please enlighten me.

Guess 1. - Taken from the inside of Druids as cars have rounded the corner at the top of the hill & are coming down the hill towards Graham Hill bend ?????

[anonymous-user]

That was on Dingle Dell, right over the back of the circuit, just after the Westfield bend

I don't think I've ever had an error 99 code on the 300D, however I would like to upgrade to the 20D, for the faster speed/bursts, and the Servo AF.

[V6GTO]

It makes a great wildlife lens too.






See more on my Fuengirola Zoo thread.



Martin.

Edited to add:- havn't had any Err codes on my 20D yet.




>> Edited by V6GTO on Monday 17th October 12:34

[Scooby_snax]

Why not just rent it as and when you require it
Fixation rent them at £30 per day and from memory that is also their weekend price.....you will need to be able to get to Vauxhall Cross to collect though
www.fixationuk.com/rentlist.htm

[matt (gravy)]

55jnj said:

Anyone (amateurs not pros) here bought one ? Thoughts ? Recommendations or otherwise ? Seems a fantastic piece of kit to me, especially for sports work such as motorsport etc. But also a (very) big investment just for a lens, which I don't mind making if there's a compelling reason. None of my existing Canon lenses are IS & I've managed up to now to get useful quality. Have I been missing something ? Also it's a fairly weighty thing & yet isn't there an issue that you shouldn't actually use IS lenses with tripods or you risk damaging the lens ?

Hi,
Its a brilliant lens for amateur or professional use: its a great investment not only because its optically very good and the IS is very useful, but for a serious amateur, its versitility means you dont need to buy a mid range zoom as well. I took a 100-400L and 70-200L to Japan this week and barely used the 70-200.

I wouldnt worry about using a tripod with it. Its not a necessity... but a sturdy monopod to take the weight is a good idea.

Matt

[Bee_Jay]

Have one here, love it and use it for all my motorsports events on a 20D with Battery Grip - never had a lock-up yet.

[55jnj]

Picked it up today. Quite a piece of kit. Thanks for all the advice & input guys.

>> Edited by 55jnj on Monday 17th October 21:49