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

[Marauder]

Yes - just to add another enthusiastic confirmation of the power of the 7D II and this lens. For me this combination effectively replaced the cumbersome set of 5D III, 300mm f/4, a 1.4x TC, and the 100 mm f/2.8 macro lens for handheld nature photography, due to the combination of long reach, short focusing distance, and the high pixel count of the amazing 7D II. I'd say the lens is worth the money - and the 7D II is actually somewhat of a bargain. Here's a recent picture-

Superb photo! Thanks for sharing it!
So far I've only taken my 7D Mark II out once (well twice if you count yesterday, but every bird and animal in the world decided to hide on my and I didn't take a single shot, so I don't count it. LOL)
On the one experience I did have, I was rather amazed at how well the AF system works, even on the 100-400 model I. I am hoping for more opportunities to use it, possibly around Christmas!

 

[Marauder]

I can confirm the IS is incredible on this lens!
Below is handheld at 1/5th!

WOW!

 

[RickWagoner]

Here are some reviews that include measurements of MTFs, stops of IS etc. The objektivtest.se one has MTF measurements of the lens plus 1.4xTC III, and you can compare it with the Tamron 150-600mm and the Sigma 150-600mm S on the same site. The Canon is measured to be slightly sharper at 560mm than the others at a nominal 600mm on FF, and much more so on crop.

https://www.ephotozine.com/article/canon-ef-100-400mm-f-4-5-5-6l-is-ii-usm-lens-review-26892

http://www.lenstip.com/index.html?test=obiektywu&test_ob=439

http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/896-canon100400f4556is2

http://www.objektivtest.se/tester/canon-ef-100-400-mm-f45-56-l-is-ii-usm-test/

http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Canon/Canon-EF-400mm-F4-DO-IS-II-USM-mounted-on-Canon-EOS-1Dx__753

IT really is not smart to compare two or three very different lenses like you do. You have all this bench test results for the comparison but it is meaningless to real life shooting. Real life shooting is what matters to people who actually go out and use the gear. A 150-600mm owner is a birder, someone who needs the range and all around use for any bird they encounter, also they're on a smaller budget..The 100-400mm is a great lens but this in day and age not a one all for the everything birder on a budget. If you have a two body setup then sure it works but not if you're a one lens, all birds type. Also if you're not a mainly bird shooting but instead of more wildlife or sport then the 150-600 stuff really is not your bag anyway. There is a easy difference in shooting a huge deer ve a tiny bird. You will want the 600mm for the bird and if you think of playing the poor mans extender route the bird will be long gone by the time you put one on.

 

[cycleraw]

Once again another great review by Dustin. The Canon EF 100-400mm L II is a GREAT lens. I preordered the 100-400mm L II in October 2014 and received it November 2014 with thoughts that I would probably return it since I had recently purchased the Sigma 150-600mm Sport. Well, after just over a year of owning both the Sigma and Canon my Sigma 150-600mm Sport is now listed on e-bay.

Here's a shot cropped about 50% at 1/60th, f5.6, 360mm, IS Mode 1 with it mounted on my 1DMIV. Notice the motion blur of the CRAP but the Bear is tack sharp.

 

[Jet20]

I have been using this lens since summer on heavy duty and while I agree the optical quality (especially the lack of any aberrations) is out of this world, I do have two gripes:

1. As stochasticmotions noted above, my copy also showed dust inside the front element after a mere 3 months. This lens is definitely not as dust- and water-proof as you usually would expect from L lenses (and as Canon notes in the manual, it is merely "resistant" and as usual, they do not include any weather-caused damage in the warranty) So I wouldn't want to risk using it in rain or snow at such a high price!

2. While the IS does guarantee shake-free shots in 9 out of 10 cases, it does not keep the image as steady as I was used to with my Tamron 70-300. On that lens, the IS is fused to the optical system so the image stands rock-steady even before you press the shutter, helping with composition.

Also, my IS makes a "ticking noise" when kicking in (half-pressing shutter) and turning off (a few seconds after releasing) which you may not hear in loud environments but which is quite audible in quiet or indoor locations. Does any of you who also owns this lens notice this? I did not hear this noise the first months and my impression is that it is becoming more pronounced recently. I wonder if this is normal wear & tear or it's a defect that I should investigate.

 

[Maximilian]

I can confirm the IS is incredible on this lens!
Below is handheld at 1/5th!

Delicious, Jan!

Please tell me the hit rate. And please don't tell me needed one out of one.
Then I ... have to rethink my hobby

 

[Ozarker]

For me, and me only, that is too much to pay for any lens of f/5.6 at 400mm. It is great that some love it, but it is not for me. No way.

If I didn't have the EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS II USM then maybe. Already have the EF 400mm f/5.6L USM. If I didn't have either one of those I would still not get this. I'd save the extra $1.8K to get the 70-200MM F/2.8L IS II USM and the 400mm f/5.6L USM.

The extra two stops are worth it to me in the 100-200mm range of this.

I know... 400mm with IS, but not for me. Not at that price.

Nevermind.

 

[Ozarker]

I can confirm the IS is incredible on this lens!
Below is handheld at 1/5th!

Beautiful photo!

 

[AlanF]

I have been using this lens since summer on heavy duty and while I agree the optical quality (especially the lack of any aberrations) is out of this world, I do have two gripes:

1. As stochasticmotions noted above, my copy also showed dust inside the front element after a mere 3 months. This lens is definitely not as dust- and water-proof as you usually would expect from L lenses (and as Canon notes in the manual, it is merely "resistant" and as usual, they do not include any weather-caused damage in the warranty) So I wouldn't want to risk using it in rain or snow at such a high price!

2. While the IS does guarantee shake-free shots in 9 out of 10 cases, it does not keep the image as steady as I was used to with my Tamron 70-300. On that lens, the IS is fused to the optical system so the image stands rock-steady even before you press the shutter, helping with composition.

Also, my IS makes a "ticking noise" when kicking in (half-pressing shutter) and turning off (a few seconds after releasing) which you may not hear in loud environments but which is quite audible in quiet or indoor locations. Does any of you who also owns this lens notice this? I did not hear this noise the first months and my impression is that it is becoming more pronounced recently. I wonder if this is normal wear & tear or it's a defect that I should investigate.

The IS on both my 100-400s is silent.
Lenstip has measured the Tamron 70-300 IS to be 2.5-2.7 ev http://www.lenstip.com/284.3-Lens_review-Tamron_SP_70-300_mm_f_4-5.6_Di_VC_USD_Build_quality_and_image_stabilization.html
and the 100-400 II to be up to 4 ev, as have other sites. http://www.lenstip.com/439.3-Lens_review-Canon_EF_100-400_mm_f_4.5-5.6L_IS_II_USM_Build_quality_and_image_stabilization.html
Perhaps your lens is faulty?

 

[greger]

Thanks for the review Dustin. I have owned the Mark 1 for a couple of years and I like it. I'll just have to try harder to get the pics that can be taken with the 7D Mark 2 and 100-400 Mark 2. For me to use the 1.4 Extender will make me use live view and my tripod.

 

[Hector1970]

I've really enjoyed 100-400mm II.
It's a great lens.
If you loosen it, it almost is a push pull (in case you prefer that type of zoom)
It's great for Sport with the 7DII.
I prefer the image quality when used with a 5D III (slower moving animals etc).
I think the lens is great I'm no so sure about the 7DII but there may be a bit of pixel peeking on my part.
The 5DIII image quality it hard to beat.
I find it eminently hand holdable. I often use it that way.
The IS is very good (and someone like me needs that).
I find it very good for landscape shots too, compressing the landscape.
It's really reduced my use of the 70-200mm F2.8 II (which is a shame in many ways as it's a lovely lens too)

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I have been using this lens since summer on heavy duty and while I agree the optical quality (especially the lack of any aberrations) is out of this world, I do have two gripes:

1. As stochasticmotions noted above, my copy also showed dust inside the front element after a mere 3 months. This lens is definitely not as dust- and water-proof as you usually would expect from L lenses (and as Canon notes in the manual, it is merely "resistant" and as usual, they do not include any weather-caused damage in the warranty) So I wouldn't want to risk using it in rain or snow at such a high price!

2. While the IS does guarantee shake-free shots in 9 out of 10 cases, it does not keep the image as steady as I was used to with my Tamron 70-300. On that lens, the IS is fused to the optical system so the image stands rock-steady even before you press the shutter, helping with composition.

Also, my IS makes a "ticking noise" when kicking in (half-pressing shutter) and turning off (a few seconds after releasing) which you may not hear in loud environments but which is quite audible in quiet or indoor locations. Does any of you who also owns this lens notice this? I did not hear this noise the first months and my impression is that it is becoming more pronounced recently. I wonder if this is normal wear & tear or it's a defect that I should investigate.

First, I do remember how good the VC was in the Tamron 70-300. I moved it when I got the 70-300L, but I was actually disappointed in the IS in the 70-300L by comparison.

That being said, none of what you are describing sounds like typical behavior for the lens. I've used a few copies now, and the IS was virtually silent in both of them. I think I would investigate, particularly if the lens is still under warranty.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Hi Dustin

Thank you so very, very much for this review.

I really love my 400 f/5.6 but I've found myself in more than a few situations where it's fixed focal length has inhibited me and thus I began considering selling it for the 100-400 mkii. You've pretty much made up my mind now for me.

Do you have experience with the 400 f/5.6 and if do, how would you compare IQ and AF to the 100-400 mkii?

Really hope you reply to this.

Thanks!

The prime still has a minuscule sharpness advantage in the periphery of the image, but the keeper rate with the zoom and its great IS is going to be much higher.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Thanks for another great review Dustin! I just recently (Black Friday) purchased the 7D II and I am now considering replacement of my Canon 100-400 model 1. The new lens sounds awesome--just wish the price would come down a bit here in Canada, but that's unlikely unless out $ recovers substantially!

Still, lots of food for thought! 8)

We are not going to see US type prices here for a good while with the tanking Canadian dollar. That being said, you might consider CPS (Canon Professional Services) membership. I bought my own copy from Simon's out of Montreal via CPS pricing at $2179 CDN - a good deal less than typical retail. That more than pays for the $100 CPS membership and you also get the benefits of CPS to boot.

 

[Rupp1]

I can confirm the IS is incredible on this lens!
Below is handheld at 1/5th!

Just wanted to chime in with a "really nice shot".

 

[wsmith96]

Once again another great review by Dustin. The Canon EF 100-400mm L II is a GREAT lens. I preordered the 100-400mm L II in October 2014 and received it November 2014 with thoughts that I would probably return it since I had recently purchased the Sigma 150-600mm Sport. Well, after just over a year of owning both the Sigma and Canon my Sigma 150-600mm Sport is now listed on e-bay.

Here's a shot cropped about 50% at 1/60th, f5.6, 360mm, IS Mode 1 with it mounted on my 1DMIV. Notice the motion blur of the CRAP but the Bear is tack sharp.

I guess this answers the question, "does a bear S!@# in the woods?"

 

[arthurbikemad]

One of my faverouste lenses, love this lens!

 

[G650ER]

Thanks for the kind words guys! The keeper rate isn't high, but there is at least more than 1 photo worth editing and publishing.

Just for kicks, this lens worked pretty well with the 2x II with manual focus. All you need is ideal weather conditions, dead on focus and a strong forearm ;D

 

[Neutral]

100-400 II is excellent lens and what is exciting that it works perfectly well with 1.4x III extender, without noticeable image quality degradation.
IQ is so good that to utilize it to full extent it is better to use 5DS(R) or Sony a7rm2
Attached is one of the shots done using 100-400 II with 1.4x III extender.
Downscaled full frame and 100% crop.
Shot done using Sony a7r2 in AF-C mode with Metabones IV .
Adapter was upgraded to FW v.0.47 which provides full support for Canon 1.4x extenders including continuous tracking mode. Focuses almost instantly at f/8.
I really enjoy EF100-400 II.

 

[Neutral]

One more sample.
The same 100-400 II with 1.4x on Sony a7r2 set up for APS-C mode.
Equivalent focal length is 840mm.
Full frame (downscaled) and crop - fullsize