Original 100-400?

[Cory]

I've used the 100-400 and rented the new version and both were profoundly amazing.
For general purpose (wildlife, events, etc. on a crop sensor) are both similar enough to point one to the original one over the 100-400 II?
I actually sort of like the handling of the I.
Thanks.

 

[tomscott]

The MKI is an old design, the IS isn't particularly brilliant and there is large variation between copies meaning you can get very sharp and very soft copies. 400mm is not brilliant either and on crop cameras worce, the push pull design is down to preference but it is half the cost of the new one but you can only buy it second hand now as its discontinued.

The new one is very sharp, takes extenders very well the IS is hugely better I much prefer the design over the push pull. Overall one of the best upgrades to a main stake in a lot of peoples bags.

I wouldn't push someone toward the MKI it tends to need more adjustment over time whereas the new design is vastly superior meaning less variation and less likely to get a dud. It also works better on the high density sensors of the 7DMKII and the 5DSR.

The combination of the 7DMKII and the 100-400mm gives you a pretty incredible range of 160-640mm add a 1.4 the sharpness reduction is small and you get 896mm very very versatile.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I've used the 100-400 and rented the new version and both were profoundly amazing.
For general purpose (wildlife, events, etc. on a crop sensor) are both similar enough to point one to the original one over the 100-400 II?
I actually sort of like the handling of the I.
Thanks.

The newer copies (last 5 years +/-) of the ver 1 seemed to be consistently good. There is only a slight improvement of the IQ for the ver II over the ver 1, but the IS and AF speed are a huge improvement. Some prefer the rotational zoom ring over the push-pull of ver 1.

Another thing to watch out for in a used ver 1 is the locking ring and smooth push-pull. The mechanism relies on ball bearings, and if they get sand in them, they will be destroyed. The cost of the fix can be equal to the value of the lens. Mine never had a problem. I Replaced it with the Ver II last Christmas when they first came out. I'd recommend the Ver II simply for the improved AF and IS. A refurbished MK II when available at the Canon store on one of their 15% off deals is a good buy.

 

[old-pr-pix]

I'd say my copy of 100-400 MkI is likely average. It was a refurb. from Canon so tested to meet spec., but probably not the sharpest copy available. That said, when things go right it can produce very sharp images. It seems to be sharpest at closer focusing ranges than at infinity. Even 400 mm is very good.

As stated above, I'd consider upgrade to MkII for the IS and AF improvements alone. I am skeptical that the IQ change vs. my copy would be that great. An out of focus or camera shaken shot is worthless no matter how "sharp" the lens was.

I too like the push-pull design better so I'm not convinced yet to make the switch.

 

[Maximilian]

Hi Cory!

I love my V1 and I can take a lot more than decent pictures with it.
I like the compact built of the push-pull also and never had any issue with it.

But if I had the money I'd buy the V2 at once bacause of all the Brownie points (AF, AF with TC, IS, coating, etc.) already mentioned - evene if there was no increase in IQ.

Any questions?

 

[wsmith96]

I skipped the Mk I and just got a Mk II refurbished for $1457. If you watch Canon's refurb site, you can get great deals at this time of year. I've heard that on a crop there isn't much difference in image sharpness due to the crop sensor only seeing the center part of the image circle. I've got both crop and FF cameras so the image quality improvement across the frame was important to me.

Cheer's