Anyone had experiance with the EF100-400 f4.5-5.6L IS USM II & EF1.4EX III

[jeffa4444]

Has anyone used this combo and if so how did you find it? Im looking to use with a Canon 5DS and a Canon 7D MKII.

 

[Mikehit]

I have used that combo a fair bit on my 7DII and think it is excellent. The close focusing is a revelation for a telephoto like that so it is a good field 'macro' (more of a 'close up' lens for butterflies etc) and the IS is welcome after having used the 100-400Mk1!
On the birdphotographers website some people have even taken to using the 100-400MkII instead of their 500 f4L if they don't need the wide aperture - I have not had opportunity to use the 500 myself, but it illustrates how good the lens is.

Bear in mind that on the 7DII when you add the 1.4x you can only focus with single point and you lose the ITR capability but other than that I am very pleased with it. I still read a lot of debate on whether to use the 100-400MkII by itself and crop versus using adding the 1.4tc so whichever route you go you will be happy I think.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

The Ver II with TC's has faster autofocus, better IS and some prefer the twist to zoom. I've owned both and IQ is about the same as the version 1, which is very good for the price.

When I first got the lens, I forgot to take the 1.4X TC off for 2 weeks, and never had a issue with AF or IS on my 5D MK III.

 

[2n10]

I agree with Mikehit as my experiences match his. I keep the combo on my 7DII most of the time. AF is a little slow for small birds in flight IME.

I feel the II is sharper than the I wide open at 400mm. You take the usual hit on IQ with a TC but it is not difficult to overcome at all in PP.

 

[wsmith96]

This combo works well for me. I use it to shoot the moon and I use live view to focus. Image quality is pretty good.

 

[arthurbikemad]

Like others I use this with 5d3, exactly as said before I often forget it's there, the 1.4iii works so well, I also shoot the moon with the 2xiii, MF but IQ is still good.

 

[canon1dxman]

Has anyone used this combo and if so how did you find it? Im looking to use with a Canon 5DS and a Canon 7D MKII.

Took that combo with a 7D II to South Africa for 2 weeks safari just over a year ago. Absolutely loved it. Perfect combination for what I needed on that trip. I used the mark 1 for around 8 years but prefer the newer combo.

 

[j-nord]

I've owned both and IQ is about the same as the version 1, which is very good for the price.

I've never heard anyone say the IQ is 'about the same' as the mki. From all the tests Ive seen the mkii is much sharper across the whole frame at every focal length wide open. Maybe you had an exceptional copy of the mki?

 

[dslrdummy]

On safari in Zambia last year with 7Dii and the only time I took the 1.4tc off was when the light started to go or very early morning. Haven't had a chance to try the combo on the 1DXii yet but the bare lense is exceptional on it.

 

[Tyroop]

Bear in mind that on the 7DII when you add the 1.4x you can only focus with single point

But 27 AF points, I believe, with this combo on the 80D.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I've owned both and IQ is about the same as the version 1, which is very good for the price.

I've never heard anyone say the IQ is 'about the same' as the mki. From all the tests Ive seen the mkii is much sharper across the whole frame at every focal length wide open. Maybe you had an exceptional copy of the mki?

I did have a good copy of the MK I, there were some with issues, particularly the older ones. I used it for 5 years or more.


Here are photozone tests of the two.

 

[nc0b]

I am very happy with the 5DsR, 100-400mm II and 1.4X TC III for general wildlife where the extra reach is needed. Added CA is minimal, unlike when I tried to use the TC with my 400mm f/5.6. When I shoot BIF I use the 400mm alone with the 5DsR or 6D. For perched birds, the zoom & TC combo is fine with the 5DsR.

 

[TheJock]

While out all day last Saturday for the Big Day I used a 7DII and my 1.4x3 + 100-400L V1, I found that it hunted when locking onto smaller targets, but other than that I found the focusing almost as fast as using the bare lens, I’ll try and post some images later when I get the chance to view/edit them. Sorry I know you’re asking about the V2, I have no experience with that lens.

 

[candyman]

Last weekend I used my 100-400 II + 1.4x III in combination with a rented 7D MK II
I usually use this lens with my 5D MK III


The combination of 100-400 II + 1.4x III is great. Certainly on stationary subjects. Bird in Flight becomes more challenging. And certainly on a very cloudy day. Even though it is a cloudy day, the lock-on is good. Attached an example of a photo on a very cloudy day. It is not all that great but ok. If displayed in smaller size, for web purposes, not bad at all.


To be clear: 100-400 II is a great lens and I am very pleased I purchased the 1.4x III

 

[Mario]

I did a quick and dirty test some time ago. The IQ with the 1.4 III is still excellent. I also had the V1 of this lens, and mine wasn't even close, the V2 was even with the 1.4x III attached significantly better than the V1 without the 1.4xIII.

http://severi.be/en/blog/2015/01/15/canon+ef+100-400+ii

And a second part, but only in flemish/dutch (the exifs should be understandable ;-)).

http://severi.be/nl/blog/2015/01/15/meer+tests+met+de+100-400+ii

Mario

 

[J.R.]

I am using this combination on the 1DX II. Works great - will post some pictures later today when I get home.

 

[candyman]

I did a quick and dirty test some time ago. The IQ with the 1.4 III is still excellent. I also had the V1 of this lens, and mine wasn't even close, the V2 was even with the 1.4x III attached significantly better than the V1 without the 1.4xIII.

http://severi.be/en/blog/2015/01/15/canon+ef+100-400+ii

And a second part, but only in flemish/dutch (the exifs should be understandable ;-)).

http://severi.be/nl/blog/2015/01/15/meer+tests+met+de+100-400+ii

Mario

Hello Mario,
Great shots!


Do you have photos taken with the 5D MK III + 100-400II +1.4x III @ 560mm?
(I saw only 1 @400 and 1 @401mm)

 

[AlanF]

I am very happy with the 5DsR, 100-400mm II and 1.4X TC III for general wildlife where the extra reach is needed. Added CA is minimal, unlike when I tried to use the TC with my 400mm f/5.6. When I shoot BIF I use the 400mm alone with the 5DsR or 6D. For perched birds, the zoom & TC combo is fine with the 5DsR.

I prefer not to use the 1.4xTC with the 5DS R as I think you lose more than you gain, but that is debatable. The 1.4xTC with the 5DIII is very similar in IQ to the bare lens on the 7FDII.

 

[Mario]

I did a quick and dirty test some time ago. The IQ with the 1.4 III is still excellent. I also had the V1 of this lens, and mine wasn't even close, the V2 was even with the 1.4x III attached significantly better than the V1 without the 1.4xIII.

http://severi.be/en/blog/2015/01/15/canon+ef+100-400+ii

And a second part, but only in flemish/dutch (the exifs should be understandable ;-)).

http://severi.be/nl/blog/2015/01/15/meer+tests+met+de+100-400+ii

Mario

Hello Mario,
Great shots!


Do you have photos taken with the 5D MK III + 100-400II +1.4x III @ 560mm?
(I saw only 1 @400 and 1 @401mm)

Thanks, Candyman. I just had a dive into my archive, and yes, several with the 5DIII and the 100-400 II @ 560 mm. Here are 2 consecutive shots of a blue tit, both 5DIII, 100-400 II + 1.4x III @ 560 mm, 1/125, f/8, ISO 800, -2/3 EV.

edit: there's a difference in color, the processing of the last one was done at the time of the testing, the first one I quickly processed just before posting this.

Mario

 

[j-nord]

I did a quick and dirty test some time ago. The IQ with the 1.4 III is still excellent. I also had the V1 of this lens, and mine wasn't even close, the V2 was even with the 1.4x III attached significantly better than the V1 without the 1.4xIII.

http://severi.be/en/blog/2015/01/15/canon+ef+100-400+ii

And a second part, but only in flemish/dutch (the exifs should be understandable ;-)).

http://severi.be/nl/blog/2015/01/15/meer+tests+met+de+100-400+ii

Mario

Hello Mario,
Great shots!


Do you have photos taken with the 5D MK III + 100-400II +1.4x III @ 560mm?
(I saw only 1 @400 and 1 @401mm)

Thanks, Candyman. I just had a dive into my archive, and yes, several with the 5DIII and the 100-400 II @ 560 mm. Here are 2 consecutive shots of a blue tit, both 5DIII, 100-400 II + 1.4x III @ 560 mm, 1/125, f/8, ISO 800, -2/3 EV.

edit: there's a difference in color, the processing of the last one was done at the time of the testing, the first one I quickly processed just before posting this.

Mario

Great detail! Thanks for sharing!