Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II & EF 400 f/4 DO IS II To Begin Shipping This Week

[revup67]

Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II & EF 400 f/4 DO IS II To Begin Shipping This Week

While ordering on 11/10/14 through B and H and they were unable to deliver, I cancelled the order and went through another authorized Canon Authorized Dealer, B and C in Las Vegas. They had one left. ordered Monday 12-15 got it ground Fedex today 12-16-14. Unbelievable sturdy packaging by B and C (customer centric ). I had asked if they would just check the lens before shipping and they did - got a personalized note from the Manager (Ugy) in the box as well.

Had only about 30 minutes to try out the lens today with the Canon 1.4 III TC and here are my findings especially when compared to the Canon 400mm 5.6 L:

The attached image was taken with a Canon 5D MKIII, Canon TC III 1.4 and the Canon 100-400 IS II USM lens.
My test was to determine how slow of a shutter speed can I use safely to get a razor sharp bird image. ISO was on AUTO, shutter set at 1/50th and I pulled back on the extended 400mm to 280mm, Aperture opened at 7.1 with about 10 minutes left of daylight. Exposure was +2/3 and Metering set to Spot.

Here's the result (Fox Sparrow attached). Any birders using a 400mm 5.6L may want to reconsider as this lens made this shot possible. If using a 400mm L 5.6 with 1.4 TC III, hand holding perhaps you can shoot at 1/400th but image would have been under exposed an useless. This lens affords you the extended capabilities you need to "get the shot" vs. no shot. I might add the "only" disappointing factor here is the Canon TC 1.4 III. Still you only get spot focus, single point focus or expansion focus and all at center. No Zone or 61 point focusing. Also only centered focus points so recomposing is a must. I can live with this.

Other settings were IS on option 3, infinity focus, AF on and hand held. The lock release in the hood is interesting as well as the thumb wheel to remove the lens foot.

Used Lightroom to process and no added sharpness (just defaults). Its impressive how sharp the eye of this Fox Sparrow appears at just minutes before dark. Wow.

Hope this helps some of you.

Rev
(ocbirds.com)

 

[martti]

Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II & EF 400 f/4 DO IS II To Begin Shipping This Week

I have the old dustpump version I have been very happy with.
Do I REALLY need to upgrade? No.
Do I really really want to upgrade? Yes.
Before spring holidays...

 

[Besisika]

Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II & EF 400 f/4 DO IS II To Begin Shipping This Week

Hope this helps some of you.

Rev
(ocbirds.com)

Please post more comments when you have spent more times with it. I like to hear more from someone who has worked with both lenses. Would appreciate it very much. Would like one during the first quarter.

 

[revup67]

Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II & EF 400 f/4 DO IS II To Begin Shipping This Week

Day 2 - overcast - the following image was taken with these settings at 9:45 a.m.:

Settings (Tv): ISO 320, Shutter 1/200th, Aperture 8.0, Focal Distance=560, Spot Metering, EV +2/3, IS 3, infinity setting, expansion mode focusing and recomposed image

Image taken about 20 feet away (approximately 7 meters).

Gear: Canon 5D Mark III, Canon TC 1.4 III, Canon 100-400 IS II USM L. - Faithful Mode (not Standard). Shot in RAW and converted to JPG 1024 pixels Processed in Lightroom. No saturation or other adjustments other than sharpness increase from 25 to 70 and clarity change to +5. This was done only due to RAW conversion to JPG which softens the image. Actual RAW image was not necessary.

New observation: lens creep if less than 400mm. Gear was hanging over shoulder facing ground. Set the camera zoom about 1/2 way (200mm) and noticed that gravity has some affect on the lens creep. Approximately 50-80mm slippage. Not a big deal but not sure if this is normal for this lens or version 1. Interested in others comments on this aspect.

More impressive than previous day. Had I used my 400mm prime 5.6L image not possible at 1/200th and ISO increase would have been much higher as I typically shoot that lens at 1/800 or 1/1000 depending on footing. Perhaps as much as 1000 or higher.

Rev
(ocbirds.com)

 

[Mykel]

Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II & EF 400 f/4 DO IS II To Begin Shipping This Week

Hi Guy's
Got mine two days ago, must say I am very happy, I was mainly using the trusty 400 f5.6 and am really enjoying the new 100-400, I never used the old one so cant comment on that, matched with the 7D mk2 its a great combo.

 

[Click]

Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II & EF 400 f/4 DO IS II To Begin Shipping This Week

Hi Guy's
Got mine two days ago, must say I am very happy, I was mainly using the trusty 400 f5.6 and am really enjoying the new 100-400, I never used the old one so cant comment on that, matched with the 7D mk2 its a great combo.

Hi Mykel,

Very nice shots...And welcome to CR

 

[Deleted member 7828]

Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II & EF 400 f/4 DO IS II To Begin Shipping This Week

Anyone who has the 400 5.6 and the new 100-400 - which one is superior at 400?

 

[East Wind Photography]

Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II & EF 400 f/4 DO IS II To Begin Shipping This Week

Anyone who has the 400 5.6 and the new 100-400 - which one is superior at 400?

I don't have either but the shots I've seen taken with the 100-400 and 400 both I would say the 400 is superior in sharpness and light transmission. However the 100-400 gives you the zoom capability. Though how much are you really going to use it at less than 400?

If you already have the 400 5.6 I would say keep it unless you really need the zoom for what you shoot.

 

[AlanF]

Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II & EF 400 f/4 DO IS II To Begin Shipping This Week

Anyone who has the 400 5.6 and the new 100-400 - which one is superior at 400?

I don't have either but the shots I've seen taken with the 100-400 and 400 both I would say the 400 is superior in sharpness and light transmission. However the 100-400 gives you the zoom capability. Though how much are you really going to use it at less than 400?

If you already have the 400 5.6 I would say keep it unless you really need the zoom for what you shoot.

Are you talking about vignetting when you say superior light transmission?

The stunning IS of the v II is really useful for handheld shots in low light. But, if you take only birds in flight or use a tripod etc, then I suppose that feature is not important and you can stick to the 400 5.6.

Edit: Just seen that TDP has the image quality data on its site. There seems nothing between the 5.6 400 and the vii

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=972&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=4&API=1&LensComp=278&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

 

[Aichbus]

Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II & EF 400 f/4 DO IS II To Begin Shipping This Week

Edit: Just seen that TDP has the image quality data on its site. There seems nothing between the 5.6 400 and the vii

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=972&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=4&API=1&LensComp=278&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

Well, in the corners, the 5.6 400 L looks better to my eyes and this becomes even more pronounced if you compare both lenses with the 2xIII attached:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=972&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=6&API=3&LensComp=278&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=4&APIComp=1

However, I expect that in real life and @ 800 mm/f 11 you will have more keepers with the zoom than with the prime most of the time due to the IS, unless you have reaaaly good light.

 

[Jane]

Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II & EF 400 f/4 DO IS II To Begin Shipping This Week

There is no specific RRS replacement foot for this lens but RRS recommended getting the MPR-113: 113 mm rail.

 

[East Wind Photography]

Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II & EF 400 f/4 DO IS II To Begin Shipping This Week

Edit: Just seen that TDP has the image quality data on its site. There seems nothing between the 5.6 400 and the vii

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=972&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=4&API=1&LensComp=278&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

Well, in the corners, the 5.6 400 L looks better to my eyes and this becomes even more pronounced if you compare both lenses with the 2xIII attached:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=972&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=6&API=3&LensComp=278&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=4&APIComp=1

However, I expect that in real life and @ 800 mm/f 11 you will have more keepers with the zoom than with the prime most of the time due to the IS, unless you have reaaaly good light.

I'm not so sure. The 400 prime has better light transmission than the new 100-400. 21 lens elements vs 7 on the prime. IS may help but it doesn't help in every situation. It's the zoom trade off.

 

[monkey44]

Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II & EF 400 f/4 DO IS II To Begin Shipping This Week

There is no specific RRS replacement foot for this lens but RRS recommended getting the MPR-113: 113 mm rail.

Why would someone get an RSS replacement foot for the 100-400 v.2 (or, v.1 for that matter) -- I've been using the stock foot on my v.1 for over ten years, and never even considered changing? Never even crossed my mind.

The foot with a plate works perfectly? Plate = $35 or so, RSS = $90 or so?? Don't know what difference it is?

 

[tron]

Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II & EF 400 f/4 DO IS II To Begin Shipping This Week

Edit: Just seen that TDP has the image quality data on its site. There seems nothing between the 5.6 400 and the vii

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=972&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=4&API=1&LensComp=278&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

Well, in the corners, the 5.6 400 L looks better to my eyes and this becomes even more pronounced if you compare both lenses with the 2xIII attached:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=972&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=6&API=3&LensComp=278&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=4&APIComp=1

However, I expect that in real life and @ 800 mm/f 11 you will have more keepers with the zoom than with the prime most of the time due to the IS, unless you have reaaaly good light.

I'm not so sure. The 400 prime has better light transmission than the new 100-400. 21 lens elements vs 7 on the prime. IS may help but it doesn't help in every situation. It's the zoom trade off.

Indeed! And I was wondering whether the new 100-400 would be practical for photographing sunsets.

For example: My 70-200 IS 2.8 II not so much! My 300mm f/4L (non-IS) on the other hand rocks...
(And I am not talking about magnification obviously...)

 

[Deleted member 7828]

Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II & EF 400 f/4 DO IS II To Begin Shipping This Week

Anyone who has the 400 5.6 and the new 100-400 - which one is superior at 400?

I don't have either but the shots I've seen taken with the 100-400 and 400 both I would say the 400 is superior in sharpness and light transmission. However the 100-400 gives you the zoom capability. Though how much are you really going to use it at less than 400?

If you already have the 400 5.6 I would say keep it unless you really need the zoom for what you shoot.

Thanks for the response. I don't have the 400 5.6 or any 400mm lens for that matter. However, I do have the 70-300 (L version).

This is a lens I've been awaiting for a while ever since I started with FF cameras. 300 isn't always enough reach for me on a 5D (it's great on a 7D though). So...I am undecided as to whether to trade the 70-300 in for one of the new 100-400s, keep both, or perhaps another lens such as the 300 f4 which might be useful on the 7D2 for campus animals (they let you get surprisingly close sometimes).

The 400 5.6 would be great...if it only had IS. Since I prefer the freedom of handheld shooting...I've basically written that one off.

 

[JonAustin]

Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II & EF 400 f/4 DO IS II To Begin Shipping This Week

...I am undecided as to whether to trade the 70-300 in for one of the new 100-400s, keep both, or perhaps another lens such as the 300 f4 which might be useful on the 7D2 for campus animals (they let you get surprisingly close sometimes).

You aren't talking about coeds, are you?

 

[Mykel]

Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II & EF 400 f/4 DO IS II To Begin Shipping This Week

Here are a couple of photos from yesterday with the 100-400 Mk2, 7D mk2 and the 1.4 extender mk3, happy with the results, have been cropped in a fair bit.

 

[revup67]

Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II & EF 400 f/4 DO IS II To Begin Shipping This Week

I have faithfully used the 400 5.6 L (usually with a 1.4 TC III extender) for the past several years and opted to go this route over 100-400 v1 due to the IQ. However, compare the MTF charts of the new IS II 100-400 and the 400 5.6 L and its drastically better. There's no comparison any longer. The 400 5.6 L has many short comings and I've exploited the hell out of it. The slowest I could get a 1 reasonable shot of 3 is 1 at 1/640th, any bird shot with branches and a gray sky always has CA, no options to open the aperture when darkness hits - static at F8. With the zoom, you can pull back to 250mm which opens the aperture 7.1 to eek out more light if needed and shoot at 1/50th all hand held, not possible with the 400mm 5.6L. Once the loss of light occurs for birding you may as well pack it up and go home especially with a 1.4 always at F8. Unless you like shooting with ISO 10000 or ISO 12800 or no shots at all.

Earlier I had made a comment about lens creep on the 100-400 II, my oversight. There is a ring on the zoom to tighten or smooth the zoom. You can lock at any focal length from 100 to 400. Excellent.

Attached photo taken at 1/500, ISO 1600, F8.0 with IS 2 100-400. Don't believe I would have been able to pull this off without softness on the 400mm 5.6L @ 1/500.

Rev

 

[dgatwood]

Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II & EF 400 f/4 DO IS II To Begin Shipping This Week

...I am undecided as to whether to trade the 70-300 in for one of the new 100-400s, keep both, or perhaps another lens such as the 300 f4 which might be useful on the 7D2 for campus animals (they let you get surprisingly close sometimes).

You aren't talking about coeds, are you?

Ever see deer on a college campus? They get so used to people that you can walk right up to them. They may or may not let you pet them, but occasionally you'll bump into one in the dark, and they'll look at you as if to say, "Look where you're going, moron," and then go right back to eating leaves or whatever.

They also tend to cross at the crosswalks—more consistently than college students, too.

 

[Deleted member 7828]

Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II & EF 400 f/4 DO IS II To Begin Shipping This Week

Well, decision made (sort of).

My local camera store had one (yes!)...so I decided to grab it. I also decided to hold onto the 70-300 for now since I could not decide what to do yet.

First impressions - never had the old version so can't compare to that....that said, tried it out on my 5D3...finally, a true telephoto I can use with that camera! Even with the crappy lighting in my apartment forcing ISO 6400, images still looked quite clear and sharp. Definitely a winner and money well spent

I can say this - this is one of those "shoot with confidence" lenses - seems to be consistently strong throughout the range, even all the way open at 4.5-5.6. But for $2K you'd expect nothing less...

The "zoom throw" or whatever you call it - it's very long. Getting from 100 to 400 quickly requires a long twist of the zoom, so for those who want to go quickly between the range, perhaps the push/pull of the old version is better for that. But - at least it doesn't pump dust nearly as much (and precise framing is much easier).

There is a tightness ring that allows you to adjust the resistance of the zoom mechanism. You can also lock it at any focal length. I notice a bit of "zoom creep" phenomenon on my copy when I have it set all the way to loose (in fact, if I point it directly downward, it will "self-zoom" from 100 almost all the way out...) - don't know if anyone else's is like that.

Also - f/4.5 doesn't last for long at all. By 135mm you're already at f/5 (the 70-300 doesn't reach f/5 until about 150ish IIRC)...but you don't hit f/5.6 until after 300mm...so this lens DOES have a 1/3 stop advantage at 300mm over the 70-300. As a bonus, it performs just as well at that setting, so you don't have to worry about any quality difference. Where the 70-300 does win out is on size and weight - there is a CONSIDERABLE difference in handling between the two lenses which should be noted.

I have not tried it on the 7D2 yet...but with the weather outside and the lighting in here, though, it'd be useless anyway.

ETA: also...it seems as if the lens is not truly 400mm when focusing on close subjects? Seems to get a bit shorter...