Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

[Omni Images]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

I'm over the moon on this lens. I have been waiting to hear something on a new 400 for over 6 months now, and the reason I started visiting this site almost daily and more recently numerous times a day.
This lens hits all the marks I have wanted in a 400 lens ... bar one, it's a zoom, slightly lower image quality than a prime and the extra weight of a zoom ... but I'll concede that point if image quality is at least better than the 100-400 .. which I am sure it would be of course ... dare I say, it's canon glass ....
The impressive feature for me is the MFD .. 0.98 ! wow .. blows any prime 400 out of the water and any of the other "big whites" for that matter .. for small birds/animals ... even flora ..
The price is very reasonable for someone like me who may never be able to afford any of the "big whites"
So this lens is long awaited and will be part of my kit as soon as I see a few test reviews just to confirm it's good to go.
Unless of course they announce a 400F5.6LIIis with a mfd of around 1.4m

 

[ahsanford]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

I'm over the moon on this lens. I have been waiting to hear something on a new 400 for over 6 months now, and the reason I started visiting this site almost daily and more recently numerous times a day.
This lens hits all the marks I have wanted in a 400 lens ... bar one, it's a zoom, slightly lower image quality than a prime and the extra weight of a zoom ... but I'll concede that point if image quality is at least better than the 100-400 .. which I am sure it would be of course ... dare I say, it's canon glass ....
The impressive feature for me is the MFD .. 0.98 ! wow .. blows any prime 400 out of the water and any of the other "big whites" for that matter .. for small birds/animals ... even flora ..
The price is very reasonable for someone like me who may never be able to afford any of the "big whites"
So this lens is long awaited and will be part of my kit as soon as I see a few test reviews just to confirm it's good to go.
Unless of course they announce a 400F5.6LIIis with a mfd of around 1.4m

Just curious -- so many folks are ga-ga about the 0.31x, which I'm interpreting to mean that people want to fill the frame with their subjects and have to crop less. How often are folks pushing their MFD with lenses this long?

Has any company ever tried something like a 1:1 macro in longer focal lengths? Is that technically problematic for some reason? It seems everyone's macro lenses are 50-60mm (for crop), 100mm or 180mm... Why not longer?

- A

 

[Omni Images]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

For me when I'm "birding" it means I can get closer ... and for the smaller birds you can ... sometimes you may be there being still and they will fly right up close to you ... it happens a lot .. and with the old 400, a mfd of 3.5m well forget getting a shot, and forget getting those tiny birds or small reptiles etc any where near close enough to get the detail, and yes fill the frame ... so to me it's a game changer.
I think a bigger macro lens is just not really needed, so it's a design thing specifically for macro work ... you can put extension tubes on a bigger lens, but will loose longer focus, but you won't need to get as close to the subject with a longer lens.

 

[ahsanford]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

For me when I'm "birding" it means I can get closer ... and for the smaller birds you can ... sometimes you may be there being still and they will fly right up close to you ... it happens a lot .. and with the old 400, a mfd of 3.5m well forget getting a shot, and forget getting those tiny birds or small reptiles etc any where near close enough to get the detail, and yes fill the frame ... so to me it's a game changer.
I think a bigger macro lens is just not really needed, so it's a design thing specifically for macro work ... you can put extension tubes on a bigger lens, but will loose longer focus, but you won't need to get as close to the subject with a longer lens.

Sure, but it's technically possible, right? My 100L Macro is also a great short tele prime with the flick of a focus range switch. Why not try the same thing with a longer focal length?

- A

 

[Steve]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

Just curious -- so many folks are ga-ga about the 0.31x, which I'm interpreting to mean that people want to fill the frame with their subjects and have to crop less. How often are folks pushing their MFD with lenses this long?

Pretty often. A lot of people think that telephotos are used like telescopes, when the best results (for wildlife anyway) are when they are used like big macro lenses. You often want to use extension tubes with long lenses to get closer, especially when shooting from hides and setups.

 

[Omni Images]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

I'm sure it would be, but at what price ... and that's the rub ..
Many companies can do far more than what they finally put out because the market would not pay the price for it.
So it is always a trade of for what they can for the price and if the public would pay that much for it.
I'm Canon could put out many products we are craving for .. but the cost would be more than we would pay... so it sits on the shelf until things change and the technology or what ever it is that is making it too expensive changes.
I also have the 100 macro, love it, but no good for wildlife,300 to 400 I would say is min really for this sort of work.
I would also say the mfd is why many use a tele converter, as they increase range and you still keep the mfd of the lens, add that with a crop sensor camera and you have that tiny bird at full frame.
The new 7Dii along with this new lens is going to be a very common combination, and I think Canon has had this combo in mind for us "birders" and have made sure both would work very well together.

 

[nda]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

I think the optical performance specs will be a significant improvement. What would be the point of a new version if it weren't? Just saying.

My copy of v1 is quite sharp. I doubt the new one will be significantly sharper (perhaps I have a particularly good copy). What it will have is greatly improved IS, lens coatings and (hopefully) weather resistance. The slotted hood for filters is also intriguing. Though I'm not particularly interested in upgrading, I will keep an open mind.

My lens is quite good and others have noticed the fact. I think it's more about techniques and lighting. This is at f6.3 ISO 200 on a 5D III (click on the photo for a larger size)

F-22 Raptor afterburner turn © Keith Breazeal by Keith Breazeal Photography, on Flickr

Wow! Fantastic shot Keith 8)

+1

 

[Bennymiata]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

I've owned the older version for about 5 years and I love it.
I do use it for bugs and flowers, as well as birds etc., and it looks like my wallet is going to take another hit to buy this lens.
The closer mfd will be very welcome.

I bet it goes under $2K after Xmas.

 

[JonAustin]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

I'm over the moon on this lens. I have been waiting to hear something on a new 400 for over 6 months now, and the reason I started visiting this site almost daily and more recently numerous times a day.
This lens hits all the marks I have wanted in a 400 lens ... bar one, it's a zoom, slightly lower image quality than a prime and the extra weight of a zoom ... but I'll concede that point if image quality is at least better than the 100-400 .. which I am sure it would be of course ... dare I say, it's canon glass ....
The impressive feature for me is the MFD .. 0.98 ! wow .. blows any prime 400 out of the water and any of the other "big whites" for that matter .. for small birds/animals ... even flora ..
The price is very reasonable for someone like me who may never be able to afford any of the "big whites"
So this lens is long awaited and will be part of my kit as soon as I see a few test reviews just to confirm it's good to go. Unless of course they announce a 400F5.6LIIis with a mfd of around 1.4m

I'm right there with you, although the MFD isn't the big deal for me. In my case, I want more reach with better image quality than the 100-400 I ... up until now, my longest lens was 70-200/2.8 II + 1.4x TC II.

I'm also hopeful that this lens performs well in the longer focal lengths (300-400) against the current 400/5.6.

Now, instead of checking Canon Rumors daily for updates, I can start checking B&H (after the 11/11 announcement), to get in my pre-order!

I often wonder if some people actually skip the 100-399mm focal lengths on the lens and just use the 100-400 as a collapsible 400 prime.

Given that many are still waiting for Canon to add IS to the 400/5.6, no doubt some people do use the 100-400 as you suggest!

I'm also intrigued by this little bit from the announcement:

"... a redesigned tripod mount that can be attached and detached without removing the lens from the EOS camera ..."

I wonder if Canon will -- as with their new center-pinch lens caps -- start making updated tripod rings with detachable feet for all their telezooms ...

 

[KeithBreazeal]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

I think the optical performance specs will be a significant improvement. What would be the point of a new version if it weren't? Just saying.

My copy of v1 is quite sharp. I doubt the new one will be significantly sharper (perhaps I have a particularly good copy). What it will have is greatly improved IS, lens coatings and (hopefully) weather resistance. The slotted hood for filters is also intriguing. Though I'm not particularly interested in upgrading, I will keep an open mind.

My lens is quite good and others have noticed the fact. I think it's more about techniques and lighting. This is at f6.3 ISO 200 on a 5D III (click on the photo for a larger size)

F-22 Raptor afterburner turn © Keith Breazeal by Keith Breazeal Photography, on Flickr

Wow! Fantastic shot Keith 8)

+1

Thanks for the comments ***I use the 100-400 primarily for airshows. The 100-400 is the favorite "Go-To" focal length for most airshow photographers.

***
Peek-A-Boo Preflight © Keith Breazeal by Keith Breazeal Photography, on Flickr

 

[Gooniesneversaydie11]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II



The current 100-400 is inner focusing. What's unclear from the CR post and your 'answer' is what makes it new.
[/quote]

My guess would be that it focus faster and more accurately than the MK1(one major difference between the 100-400 mk1 and the 400mm f/5.6 ).

As for the price being lower than expected, I think that as time goes on the technology becomes cheaper. The new lens coating and materials may not simply be about being "Better" as it is about reducing cost so that Canon can market this more aggressively.

Personally, I always preferred the 400mm f/5.6 Prime over the 100-400 MK1 due to its IQ,speed, and a deep loathing for "push/pull" zooming. Weight never bothered me. If this lens is better than the 400 f/5.6 @ 400mm, then I am sold.

 

[Rockets95]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

So this lens can use the 1.4 and 2.0 TC?

I hope so, but the 70-300 L does not. I was interested in that a couple of years ago, but ended up with the 70-200 f/2.8 L II. I purchased a 1.4 extender and they did not play well together. It was a long story, but I sent the extender back.

 

[Omni Images]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

I too have been using the 70-200F2.8 for too long now, I got the 2xiii converter, but not impressed with the image quality hit and oh so slow focus, that I all but never use it anymore.
The only other two options for me (wallet) were the old 100-400 and the prime 400F5.6 ... and the 300F4 has been a sneaky fav just for it's mfd of 1.5m and IS also, but wanting 400mm just made not want to commit to that either.
But none have been that great to make me buy anything... so I have been waiting ... and yes even holding my breath till something new came on the horizon.
MFD was a big thing for me which did rule out the old 400F5.6
Image quality (I heard/read) wasn't that great with the old 100-400 ... 1.8m mfd was almost acceptable.
The 300F4 hit all the marks, but was still only a 300mm

I don't see myself using much under 400mm most of the time, so a prime for me would still trump a zoom.
A new 400 F5.6 with shorter mfd would sway me for sure over the 100-400, but I don;t know how much longer I can hold me breath for .... I would be very happy to inhale this new version right now ...

Nice shots too btw Keith ... I love the detail in that tire ...

 

[Dylan777]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

Nice lens! At this point, my $2200 is going to the TS-E 17mm, though.

I will not pre-order it. However, if the IQ is good as Canon recent releases I might end up with one when they offer $200-$300 rebate. Just like 16-35 f4 IS.

Still waiting for that 1DX II rumor......... : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

 

[Loswr]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

The current 100-400 is inner focusing. What's unclear from the CR post and your 'answer' is what makes it new.

My guess would be that it focus faster and more accurately than the MK1(one major difference between the 100-400 mk1 and the 400mm f/5.6 ).

Not sure that would warrant highlighting it as 'new'. Maybe... I'd guess a floating focusing system like the 70-300L, for improved sharpness at the MFD (which is quite close for this new lens, and would possibly be pretty soft there without floating focus).

 

[Steve Balcombe]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

Just curious -- so many folks are ga-ga about the 0.31x, which I'm interpreting to mean that people want to fill the frame with their subjects and have to crop less. How often are folks pushing their MFD with lenses this long?

Lots of people use lenses like this as walk-around wildlife lenses. A bird in flight will be followed by a static small bird a few feet away, then a butterfly or a dragonfly at 1:3.

BTW I did a quick calculation. You can easily work out the actual focal length if the magnification is 0.31x at 980 mm, using the lens formula 1/a + 1/b = 1/f while knowing that magnification = b/a:

980/1.31 = 748
980-748 = 232
1/f = 1/748 + 1/232 = 0.00547
f = 177 mm

So this is another lens with extreme focus breathing - no surprise as the 70-300L is also less than 200 mm at 1:1. I don't see this as a problem though - for distant subjects you need maximum focal length and that's fine because it will be ~400 mm down to a few metres. And for near-macro 177 mm is plenty long enough - it's the 0.31x that counts. The big issues will be image quality at MFD, and how well does the IS work for hand-held shots at that distance. The 70-300L's IQ is better than the 300/4L IS for distant subjects, but not as good at MFD.

 

[MadHungarian]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

I'm definitely going to have get this one, depending on the reviews. The reported size/weight is a bit more than i was hoping for, but the 77mm filter size means i only have to drag along one set of filters, which cuts the weight by several ounces.

 

[PureClassA]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

Heh... I believe I called this at $1999 - $2200 and got a little good natured ribbing for it. Salt with your crow? ;D

 

[JonAustin]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

Heh... I believe I called this at $1999 - $2200 and got a little good natured ribbing for it. Salt with your crow? ;D

I was right there with you ($2100 - $2400), although in my case, it was more wishful thinking that educated insight ...

 

[Don Haines]

Re: Introducing the Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II

Heh... I believe I called this at $1999 - $2200 and got a little good natured ribbing for it. Salt with your crow? ;D

I was right there with you ($2100 - $2400), although in my case, it was more wishful thinking that educated insight ...

I believe I predicted $2500 to $2600..... this keeps my prediction record perfect... wrong every time