Just wondering if anyone has any experience using the 400mm 5.6L with a FF for bird shots. I currently have a 70-300L and use it with a 7d for birds. I have been pretty happy with this, but I would like to use my 5d3 for some bird shots and 300mm just doesn't cut it. Anybody use the 5d3/400 5.6L combo? It sounds like it is light enough to hand hold, so that is good. My main question is how big a deal the lack of IS really is. One of the bigger IS whites would be great, but not in the budget since I mainly do landscapes. I guess I am looking for a solid, value 400 and wonder if this is it or if I just should stick to what I have right now. Any thoughts or advice appreciated.
Canon 400L 5.6
- Thread starter jeanluc
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I have used it. It is a great lens- sharp, light, small, easy to carry. No is as you point out. Reach isn't great on a full frame 5D3 at 400mm (especially for small birds like hummers). If however you keep the shutter speed higher than 400, say 800, or maybe a little less (perhaps you have great technique and a steady hand) you should have no problem.
Take a look in the old forums section, this lens has recently had a lot of posts. For some reason people either seem to love or hate it. It is an old lens to be sure, but it still performs (great for me).
Scott
Take a look in the old forums section, this lens has recently had a lot of posts. For some reason people either seem to love or hate it. It is an old lens to be sure, but it still performs (great for me).
Scott
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Gday Jean, I currently use a 5dmk3 and the 400 5.6L for birding. I recently wrote a review of the 400 5.6L you may find useful. http://www.duadepaton.com/canon-ef400-5-6l-review-for-bird-photograph/
I believe it is the sharpest lens available in the sub $2000 range and I would recommend it. I also use it with a 1.4 converter for extra FL. The AF is slower and IQ takes a slight hit but it is the trade off.
Here is an example with the 5dmk3 + 400 5.6L +1.4ext
Cheers, Duade.
I believe it is the sharpest lens available in the sub $2000 range and I would recommend it. I also use it with a 1.4 converter for extra FL. The AF is slower and IQ takes a slight hit but it is the trade off.
Here is an example with the 5dmk3 + 400 5.6L +1.4ext
Cheers, Duade.
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For years, I shot birds with my 1D4 and 300/2.8, both with and without extenders. I will soon be 72 years of age and that combination was starting to get heavy to tote around. Last spring, I elected to purchase a 5D3 to pair with my 400/5.6 in an effort to lighten the load.
To put it succinctly, I've been delighted with the combination. It's light, fast and produces great image quality. The 400/5.6 is a fast focusing lens to begin with and it turned out to be quite impressive with the great AF of the 5D3, which is both fast and accurate. In my book, it's a match made in heaven.
I will post a sampling of images shot with the 5D3 and 400/5.6 below. I suggest you open them full size by clicking on them to get a good idea of the image quality.
As the 400/5.6 does not have IS, I suggest you make a point of keeping the shutter speed high enough to compensate. I try to shoot at around 1/800 second and up. The 5D3 can handle high ISO if needed. It also stands up well to cropping if needed.
I hope this helps.
To put it succinctly, I've been delighted with the combination. It's light, fast and produces great image quality. The 400/5.6 is a fast focusing lens to begin with and it turned out to be quite impressive with the great AF of the 5D3, which is both fast and accurate. In my book, it's a match made in heaven.
I will post a sampling of images shot with the 5D3 and 400/5.6 below. I suggest you open them full size by clicking on them to get a good idea of the image quality.
As the 400/5.6 does not have IS, I suggest you make a point of keeping the shutter speed high enough to compensate. I try to shoot at around 1/800 second and up. The 5D3 can handle high ISO if needed. It also stands up well to cropping if needed.
I hope this helps.
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Monopod will help since this lens doesn't have IS. The monopod is quite easy carry around and is light. Even @ 400mm, I think it might not be long enough for bird, unless you plan to do decent cropping.
Here are some photos with 400mm f2.8 IS II on 5D III. I was about 20-25ft away from the squirrel: http://www.dylanphotography.phanfare.com/6370438
Here are some photos with 400mm f2.8 IS II on 5D III. I was about 20-25ft away from the squirrel: http://www.dylanphotography.phanfare.com/6370438
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Reach isn't the greatest on full frame, but this is one great lens. It is very easy to hand hold and is balanced well. You can hike all day with it and not notice. I use mine on APS-C except for one trial of 6D on owls at dusk (really a trial of 6D AF, which is certainly sensitive in the dark). As mentioned, a monopod can be helpful when staking out a nest or pond, and you can still (awkwardly) move for BIF shots. I shoot at 1/500 or above, faster is better. Good technique, smooth panning are the key to good flight shots, and the perch shots require good to excellent technique for high keeper rate. I shoot bursts (on the 60D at least). The lens is at its best wide open at f/5.6, and I rarely shoot at smaller apertures, aside from the effective aperture decrease that occurs with a 1.4x TC. The 400 f/5.6 image quality is reasonable with the 1.4x TCII but autofocus is lost, so I use the TC mostly for pre-focused stakeouts. 6D as a birding camera is best applied in very low light situations.
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