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

[Random Orbits]

Got mine yesterday morning and used it for my daughter's soccer game later the same morning. IQ and AF performance is better than the original, but there were a couple things that I wasn't expecting.

1. It's going to take me a while to get used to the twist zoom. The push-pull of version 1 didn't bother me, but I didn't love it either. It might not have been "cool" but it was fast. Version II's has more rotation than the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II, which makes it harder to go from 100 to 400 or vice versa in one twist with the lens foot in the way.

2. I had always used the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II for soccer but I wanted something with more reach. The new 100-400 works well for this application (servo AF with the 5DIII), but it is not quite as fast/accurate as the 70-200 f/2.8 II. Not overly surprised because the f/2.8 lens can use more accurate AF baselines, but the difference was more noticeable when the background had more contrast than the subject.

Overall, very pleased with the performance of the 100-400L II.

 

[chasinglight]

Got mine yesterday morning and used it for my daughter's soccer game later the same morning. IQ and AF performance is better than the original, but there were a couple things that I wasn't expecting.

1. It's going to take me a while to get used to the twist zoom. The push-pull of version 1 didn't bother me, but I didn't love it either. It might not have been "cool" but it was fast. Version II's has more rotation than the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II, which makes it harder to go from 100 to 400 or vice versa in one twist with the lens foot in the way.

I just pulled the trigger on the 100-400II. Upon first receiving it I am VERY impressed with the AF speed on the 5D3. Its the fastest AF I have experienced short of the lightening quick 500L II + 1DX I borrowed from CPS, which if memory serves was very very close.

As you mentioned the one complaint I have is that the zoom ring, even on SMOOTH is very very TIGHT. Maybe I am just used to the smooth zoom ring of the 70-200, but I would say the zoom ring is too tight for me...just something to get used to I guess.

 

[AlanF]

It will get looser with use.

 

[9VIII]

I guess that the 2% loss on the long end makes this lens fatally flawed. Time to return them to Canon and ask for a true 100-400, not a 100-396mm lens ;D

What's worse is that it's actually just focus breathing, which virtually every lens has. This design is a little worse than others but if you focus to infinity (probably 100 meters or so out) you will get a proper 400mm field of view.
I will gladly take the trade of focus breathing for the ability to use this lens for near-macro photography, a 400mm macro lens with the best IS on the market is just about ideal for plants and bugs outdoors.

 

[Random Orbits]

Got mine yesterday morning and used it for my daughter's soccer game later the same morning. IQ and AF performance is better than the original, but there were a couple things that I wasn't expecting.

1. It's going to take me a while to get used to the twist zoom. The push-pull of version 1 didn't bother me, but I didn't love it either. It might not have been "cool" but it was fast. Version II's has more rotation than the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II, which makes it harder to go from 100 to 400 or vice versa in one twist with the lens foot in the way.

I just pulled the trigger on the 100-400II. Upon first receiving it I am VERY impressed with the AF speed on the 5D3. Its the fastest AF I have experienced short of the lightening quick 500L II + 1DX I borrowed from CPS, which if memory serves was very very close.

As you mentioned the one complaint I have is that the zoom ring, even on SMOOTH is very very TIGHT. Maybe I am just used to the smooth zoom ring of the 70-200, but I would say the zoom ring is too tight for me...just something to get used to I guess.

Glad it is meeting and/or surpassing your expectations. Yes, the zoom ring is tight but agree with AlanF, it does loosen a bit with use.

 

[Hjalmarg1]

I thought this topic was for discussing Kevin Ebi's review on the Canon 100-400mm MkII but I found something different :-\

 

[iaind]

Just got mine and it handles better than mk1. Never really liked push pull design.
Am probably going to sell my 300 f4L as hardly use it now.