Review: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II

[Canon Rumors]

<p>Friend of the site Dustin Abbott has completed a comprehensive review of Canon’s brand new EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II. If you head over to his review, there’s also a full video review if you prefer to watch instead of read.</p>
<p><strong>From Dustin</strong></p>
<blockquote><p>I’m not finding much to criticize with this lens. It isn’t cheap, but it is a pretty killer optic with a pro grade build quality. It’s expensive ($2199), but no more so than Canon’s 70-200 f/2.8L or 24-70 f/2.8L variants. When compared with the higher end telephotos, however, it is a great bargain. It offers great reach in a compact package that most users should be able to handhold due to its manageable weight and excellent image stabilizer. It has amazing image quality with next to no real shortcomings. I love my Canon 70-300L and have enjoyed my Tamron 150-600 VC, but this lens has left me in a conundrum. I am strongly considering selling both of these lens in exchange for the new Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM II. I like it that much.</p></blockquote>
<p><strong><a href="http://dustinabbott.net/2015/02/canon-ef-100-400mm-f4-5-5-6l-usm-ii-review/" target="_blank">Read the full review</a></strong></p>
<p>Stock of this lens is extremely scarce and I suggest pre-ordering it as soon as you’re able if you want to be able to have one for the spring.</p>
<p><strong><strong><strong>Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II $2199: <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1092632-REG/canon_9524b002_ef_100_400mm_f_4_5_5_6l_is.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank">B&H Photo</a> | <a href="http://www.adorama.com/CA1004002U.html?KBID=64393" target="_blank">Adorama</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PF39PEY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00PF39PEY&linkCode=as2&tag=canorumo-20&linkId=DR7JYMNZQZ4LVBHE" target="_blank">Amazon</a></strong></strong></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

 

[Click]

Very good review. Thanks Dustin.

 

[ignomini]

Excellent review, thanks.

There is one comment in the comparison with the MkI which lists lack of push/pull zoom as a potential con. For those to whom this really matters, be aware the lens operates very well as a push/pull. Install the lens hood, which now locks in place, set the zoom friction to it's lowest detent, grab the lens hood and away you go. When you do this, the zoom ring spins, but I think it acts as a flywheel, so the action is actually smoother than the old lens.

Used the MKI for ten years. Absolutely thrilled with the new version.

 

[Maximilian]

Thanks, Dustin, for delivering again a really good review.

 

[YuengLinger]

Solid review that seems written by a photographer for photographers. Refrehing real-world images are tremendously helpful.

Thanks!

A note about availability. Very likely the massive dock strikes on the west coast of the USA are having some impact. I wonder if supply is as tight in Europe and Asia?

Despite being very reluctant to go as slow as f5.6, this lens seems so handy and sharp, it is hard to resist.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Thanks for the nice feedback everyone, and to CR for being a great partner in sharing my reviews. Roger's breakdown makes me even more enthusiastic about this lens.

 

[Besisika]

I had the chance to test mine this past week-end and I agree with Dustin's review. I can confirm that this is an amazing lens. I used mine on the other end of the mountains.

I have debated for a while whether to buy the 70-200 for my zoom lens and I am glad I haven't. I wanted the Tamron but Cameracanada.com never had it in stock, I am glad they never had.
I took it to Montreal pond hockey this past week-end and I am really pleased with it. Except in one point that I will explain later.
I haven't used a zoom lens for almost 3 years now and it took me a while to get back used to it, especially that we are talking 100 to 400mm. My biggest challenge was that I stood/seated literally 2-3m away from the goal at 100mm and when the puck run away I had to instantly zoom to 400mm to reach the other end of the field. The twist is so long that I had trouble balancing the horizon and it was seen on my photos when I track down a player from the other end to the closest that the horizon gets slightly inclined. I am not complaining at all, it just take some time if you used to prime like me.
Focus is fabulous, during the daylight it focuses instantaneously from 100mm to 400mm without any delay on a 1DX body. I was on shoot first and focus later focusing option and yet among 1200 photos I took, I missed only around 20 and I am sure that these were user errors. Don't forget I was shooting 10degree Celsius below 0.

IS is amazing. I tried all 3 of them. Mode 3 would be my favorite for sport. Mode 1 would be indoor and video.

I agree with Dustin, this lens can be comfortably used with gloves. Something that I was concerned about using a zoom during the winter.

I don't know how this behaves indoor, in poor - church lighting conditions. I haven't had the chance yet. Preliminary tests tell me that I would be able to use it without major concern at 1/50sec. I have currently used the 300mm f4 at 1/100sec and will replace it with this one at 1/50sec (using bounce flash). I expect to have difficulty in focusing from 100 to 400 instantaneously like I did with pond hockey, but I won't be needing that.

The only thing I would complain about is snow and very low temparature.
I used it without any trouble on Saturday, around minus 10-14C outdoor. On Sunday, it was around minus 20C and was snowing which forced me to to give up after 15min. I used the fixed 200mm f2.8 last year under same condition and didn't have the same issue. With the zoom, I assume because I zoomed in and out very often the snow falling on the lens melted down and created a thin layer that at some point caused more and more challenges. Besides, 1DX lost contact with the lens after 10min, I rebooted it and it worked for 2-3min and lost contacted again. After 3rd reboot, it showed unreadable red signs and at that point I decided to pack and go back home. All functioned well again after 15min under house temperature. I am not sure if it is the low temperature or the thin ice layer that caused the lost of contact.

I know, I am comparing two different lens but this becomes my 2nd favorite lens after the 85mm 1.2. I will see both on my two bodies for the majority of my works, both outdoor and indoor, both sports and lifestyle photography.

Dustin's review confirmed my own evaluation of my copy. It is a lens for me. Thanks for the review.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

P.S. Here's a direct link to the video review for those of you interested: http://bit.ly/16ibRAv

 

[ewg963]

Great review hands down....

 

[Pieces Of E]

I gave up reading for the annoying facebook, twitter, google+ and linkedin redirects down the left side of the page where the text is, insecure much?

 

[zim]

I gave up reading for the annoying facebook, twitter, google+ and linkedin redirects down the left side of the page where the text is, insecure much?

Nothing like that on the page I just read, no ads at all

Great review, thanks. Not going to stop me enjoying my 70-300L but...... Hmmmm

 

[bholliman]

Well done review Dustin! Done from a photographers perspective, which is much more useful to me than a bunch of technical data. This lens is on my radar, I currently am limited to 200mm. I'd like to add a 300/2.8 II, but not sure I can convince my wife to spend that kind of money since this is just a hobby. $2K for the 100-400 II might be more do-able.

 

[Marauder]

Another great review Dustin! I'm currently using the Mark 1 100-400 and this gives me lots to think about! Thanks!

 

[Mitch.Conner]

I gave up reading for the annoying facebook, twitter, google+ and linkedin redirects down the left side of the page where the text is, insecure much?

Was this on a mobile device? It looks like a pretty standard layout for a Wordpress theme to me. Social media links are pretty standard these days. They don't take up much room on his site. No more than they took up on my site before I disabled them because I don't use social media.

As for the review - this looks good. I'm waiting to see how it does with the new 5Ds sensor before I buy, but if it does acceptably, I'll definitely be getting one.

 

[Hjalmarg1]

<p>Friend of the site Dustin Abbott has completed a comprehensive review of Canon’s brand new EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II. If you head over to his review, there’s also a full video review if you prefer to watch instead of read.</p>
<p><strong>From Dustin</strong></p>
<blockquote><p>I’m not finding much to criticize with this lens. It isn’t cheap, but it is a pretty killer optic with a pro grade build quality. It’s expensive ($2199), but no more so than Canon’s 70-200 f/2.8L or 24-70 f/2.8L variants. When compared with the higher end telephotos, however, it is a great bargain. It offers great reach in a compact package that most users should be able to handhold due to its manageable weight and excellent image stabilizer. It has amazing image quality with next to no real shortcomings. I love my Canon 70-300L and have enjoyed my Tamron 150-600 VC, but this lens has left me in a conundrum. I am strongly considering selling both of these lens in exchange for the new Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM II. I like it that much.</p></blockquote>
<p><strong><a href="http://dustinabbott.net/2015/02/canon-ef-100-400mm-f4-5-5-6l-usm-ii-review/" target="_blank">Read the full review</a></strong></p>
<p>Stock of this lens is extremely scarce and I suggest pre-ordering it as soon as you’re able if you want to be able to have one for the spring.</p>
<p><strong><strong><strong>Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II $2199: <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1092632-REG/canon_9524b002_ef_100_400mm_f_4_5_5_6l_is.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank">B&H Photo</a> | <a href="http://www.adorama.com/CA1004002U.html?KBID=64393" target="_blank">Adorama</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PF39PEY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00PF39PEY&linkCode=as2&tag=canorumo-20&linkId=DR7JYMNZQZ4LVBHE" target="_blank">Amazon</a></strong></strong></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

Very good review! I appreciate all this information. I just need to save to get this lens. :-[

 

[Steve Balcombe]

Great review - the only problem was it was so enthusiastic I started to wonder whether a lens really could be that good!

I gave up reading for the annoying facebook, twitter, google+ and linkedin redirects down the left side of the page where the text is, insecure much?

I thought they were in a pretty annoying place too, reading on a tablet, until I realised that in portrait orientation they move to the bottom right - or disappear altogether depending which browser I'm using. Out of curiosity I just looked at the page on my desktop PC, and they are there on the left but the left margin is much bigger (despite the resolution being identical to my tablet at 1920x1200) and this makes it ok. Responsive web design is great, but they don't always get it right!

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Great review - the only problem was it was so enthusiastic I started to wonder whether a lens really could be that good!

I gave up reading for the annoying facebook, twitter, google+ and linkedin redirects down the left side of the page where the text is, insecure much?

I thought they were in a pretty annoying place too, reading on a tablet, until I realised that in portrait orientation they move to the bottom right - or disappear altogether depending which browser I'm using. Out of curiosity I just looked at the page on my desktop PC, and they are there on the left but the left margin is much bigger (despite the resolution being identical to my tablet at 1920x1200) and this makes it ok. Responsive web design is great, but they don't always get it right!

Thanks to everyone for the feedback on this issue. I've passed it on to my web developer. I don't have an issue on my devices, so it's good to know there is one from others. We'll have to work on the positioning of that widget.

I get a lot of feedback about the importance of social media sharing from my partners, but it is all a work in progress for me. I'm a writer and a photographer, but web developer, not so much.

 

[candyman]

I gave up reading for the annoying facebook, twitter, google+ and linkedin redirects down the left side of the page where the text is, insecure much?

Nothing like that on the page I just read, no ads at all

Great review, thanks. Not going to stop me enjoying my 70-300L but...... Hmmmm

True! And, not to forget, the 100-400 II takes the canon extender - the 70-300L not.
This wonderful review of the 100-400 has strengthen my interest in this lens - though the 400 DO II is still nr 1 on my list.

 

[bmpress]

Great review...thanks. I have the Tamron 150-600 too and am in a total quandary about whether to switch to the new Canon 100-400. The worst thing I can say about the Tammy is that it is cumbersome in length and weight. And the next issue is that it is not as sharp as as I would prefer. I have never used an extender and wonder if using one would make the Canon + extender a real pain in the butt. Since money is not my problem what do some of the forum members think on this subject?

 

[WillThompson]

Great review - the only problem was it was so enthusiastic I started to wonder whether a lens really could be that good!

I gave up reading for the annoying facebook, twitter, google+ and linkedin redirects down the left side of the page where the text is, insecure much?

I thought they were in a pretty annoying place too, reading on a tablet, until I realised that in portrait orientation they move to the bottom right - or disappear altogether depending which browser I'm using. Out of curiosity I just looked at the page on my desktop PC, and they are there on the left but the left margin is much bigger (despite the resolution being identical to my tablet at 1920x1200) and this makes it ok. Responsive web design is great, but they don't always get it right!

Thanks to everyone for the feedback on this issue. I've passed it on to my web developer. I don't have an issue on my devices, so it's good to know there is one from others. We'll have to work on the positioning of that widget.

I get a lot of feedback about the importance of social media sharing from my partners, but it is all a work in progress for me. I'm a writer and a photographer, but web developer, not so much.

The floating crap stopped me from reading the review.

These web people just don't get it that nothing should ever float over the page ever.