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

Admin US West

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Nov 30, 2010
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Re: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM

We now have a second pair of kildeer nesting in a field next to our driveway, its only 2 ft from our fence. I snapped a couple of photos with my 100-400mm l and 1D MK III combination, both at 400mm, ISO 200, 1/800 sec.

As soon as I approached the nest, one began the broken wing act. I didn't really want to disturb them, and my neighbors horses were heading over wanting a handout, so I quickly took a couple of shots and left them alone.

There are only two eggs so far, but they almost always lay 4 eggs, so I'll check every few days to see if more eggs are laid. I'm glad to see them coming back every year and multiplying, i'm sure there are lots more nests, but this is the first time we've found two nests along our driveway.

kildeer-nest-2-2008-X2.jpg


kildeer-nest-2-2009-X2.jpg
 
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Jul 21, 2010
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Re: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM

People sometimes complain that the AF on the 100-400mm is somewhat slow. Perhaps it is, compared to the 400mm f/5.6L. But when coupled with the excellent AI Servo AF of the 7D, it was quite capable of locking onto and tracking a bird in flight coming straight towards me. The camera+lens tracked this red-winged blackbird from takeoff to landing, flying toward me as he covered a distance of about 20 feet, and only one or two of the photos in the ~14-frame burst were slightly OOF. Here's the penultimate shot from the burst, just before he landed:


EOS 7D, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM @ 400mm, 1/1600 s, f/6.3, ISO 1600

Thanks for looking!
 
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anttukos

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Re: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM

It's also a nice lens for video shooting. I'm able to have the image stabilization and it doesn't create too much disturbing noise as with for example EF-S 17-55/2.8. The focusing is still tricky if the objects move because of the depth of field.

Some sample videos here (most of them shot with 7D and 100-400 lens)
http://www.youtube.com/anttukos

Some photos from my blog:
http://hulttio-orava.blogspot.com/
 
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aldvan

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Re: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM

As I stated many times previously, the 100-400 is my favorite lens. Paradoxically, for my photographical field, it has a wide range of applications. It couldn't be the most updated lens, it couldn't perform the most outstanding lab test, but it allows you shooting from beautiful macro images (due to a wonderful bokeh and allowing you to stay relatively far from the subject) to portrait and, obviously, nature and sport. Great also for architectural details. And f/ values are ok for me since I guess that the main use for such a focal wouldn't be indoor shooting...
I use it with a 5D2 and with a 7D. As I stated in other posts, I'm not enthusiastic about 7D performance, giving me nothing more than 5D2 cropped image quality...
And it is really sturdy. I was close to the Bejing Olympic Stadium, very excited by H&deM architecture, not realizing that my backpack flap was open. Two kilos of alloy and glass were launched three meters away... No lens was broken and Canon service had to change just the helicoid and cosmetical parts (i'm very anal about that).

P.S.: my sincere congratulations for all the images published above!
 
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Jul 21, 2010
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Re: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM

Heidrun said:
Is it possible to build a new version of this lens with a fixed 5.6 aperture and inner focus so the lens does not change length during operation. Will this lens could be made more compact than it is today.

Could it be designed as in internally zooming lens? Sure. Would that make it more compact? Probably not. The 100-400mm is 7.75" long when retracted, and 10.9" long when extended to 400mm. The 400mm f/5.6L prime is 10.44" long, only 0.5" shorter than the extended zoom lens.

Look at it from the other side - the retracted zoom lens is over 3" shorter than the 400mm prime. For me, that's nice because a gripped body + 100-400mm will fit in a toploading case (e.g. Lowepro Toploader Pro 75AW), whereas a gripped body with the 400mm prime is way too long.
 
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Re: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM

Goincarcrazy said:
This lens has always been my go to for versatility. I always use it for races and air shows as well just for the versatility it gives me. Its able to be taken in public without too much attention where as my 600, forget about it!

A recent one:

6239214771_ab6e8409bc_b.jpg

I love egrets! Lots of them down here. Am going shooting in the everglades later today... hopefully I'll see a few...
 
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Feb 24, 2011
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Re: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM

It was a tough decision for me to get the 300mm with 1.4x tc instead of the 100-400. I can use 300mm at f/4 with my prime. But, the atmospheric distortion plays more of a role than any sharpness differences between the two.

It would be easier to find subjects if I were able to zoom out and the zoom in quickly.

I do need a lot more practice with wildlife/bird photography. I just don't get close to those kind of shots.
 
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Jul 21, 2010
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Re: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM

Two new-ish 100-400 patents, both look like extending designs. I really hope they don't make in internal zoom. That would make it longer than the 400/5.6, which is already inconveniently long. If by IF you mean internal focusing, it already is (it's rear focus, a subtype of internal).
 
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smirkypants

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Re: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM

There must be a conspiracy between Nikon and Canon not to update this range. The 100-400 and the Nikon 80-400 (is it?). They are both ancient. I'm sure as soon as one updates, the other will follow quickly. Both are only barely serviceable. The Nikon is utter, utter, utter crap, but at least you have the 200-400 option. The Canon isn't utter crap, but it's pretty hit or miss at certain focal lengths. If there were a D300s replacement out in the near-term, I would so carry both brands. I simply must have a 200-400 f4 and Canon has been trying my patience for years—at least four of them.... or is it five?
 
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markbueno

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Re: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM

Here are a few shots from this weekend using the 100-400. I love this lens!

These were taken at Jigokudani (Hell's Valley) in Nagano, Japan. There is a monkey park where these guys all hang out in a hot spring.

Canon 5d mk II

Thanks for looking!
 

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Re: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM

neuroanatomist said:
A recent shot with my 7D and 100-400mm:


EOS 7D, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM @ 400mm, 1/640 s, f/5.6, ISO 125

Great shots everyone

Kudos John!

That deserves 3 applauds! Alas I am limited :)

Would a 100-400mm smoke a 70-200 mk.ii + 2xiii combo or would be they comparable? I am weighing the thought of getting one or the other... would rather get the 2x if it is comparable.
 
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