Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM 35mm Zoom
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM 35mm Zoom
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[Jan 05, 2000]
Gary Russell
Intermediate
Model Reviewed:
EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Strength:
Excellent build quality, great zoom range, produces very sharp images, quick focusing.
Weakness:
None An excellent lens for sports and wildlife. Heavy but not much more than the EF 70-200 f/2.8 L. Very nice handling lens, and features like adjustable zoom friction ring and being able to attach lens hood on backwards when not needed (and for easy access to filters) are nice touches. Super quality glass produces some great results. The IS works very well for low-light and hand-held shots at extended focal lengths. And, when you have a big white lens, most people try not to get in your way when you're shooting. Customer Service No need. Similar Products Used: Canon EF 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS, EF 70-200 f/2.8 L (and with 1.4 Extender), EF 75-300 f/4-5.6 IS, |
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[Sep 04, 2000]
Gordon Grover
Professional
Strength:
Extremely sharp and contrasty lens, worthy of the "L" designation. Focusing is extremely fast because of the USM motor. Image stabilizer is a boon for handheld and monopod supported shooting, which has produced excellent sharp pictures without shake. Construction of the lens is robust, sturdy and real heavy duty, meant for professional abuse. My lens has taken more bangs than I can care to count, and is still holding strong.
Weakness:
A bit heavy. This is a unique lens, and terrific value for money. Canon's image stabilizer technology is simply too cool, and there are shots I could have never managed without IS. Customer Service Excellent Similar Products Used: 400/4.6L |
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[Nov 12, 2000]
Charles Richmond
Expert
Strength:
The IS on this lens makes it the one zoom telephoto for available light. I may have gotten a really good one but I have been astounded by the sharpness. I do not have hard numbers but a 400mm Sigma APO shot of a license plate was not legible and the shot with the 100-400 Canon was clearly legible. I did not expect it to perform better at its extreme focal length than the fixed focal length Sigma 400.
Weakness:
It is expensive and weighs a ton. I did have a problem with the power diaphram, but Canon service took care of it in 3 weeks. I will not be parted from this lens. If you can afford it then get it! Customer Service Canon service was prompt as these things are measured, but I sure missed having the lens for the weeks that it was gone. Similar Products Used: Sigma 400 5.6 APO |
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[Dec 07, 2000]
Jim Harrison
Intermediate
Strength:
Versatility, fast focusing, very sharp
Weakness:
Weight and size I shoot a lot of field sports for fun and have finally found the perfect lens for the task. Once I ditched my old Pentax equipment and went to Canon autofocus I found the 100-400 to overcome the softness of the 100-300 and 75-300 IS. I tried the 300 f4 prime and found it to be very sharp and fast focusing, but not versatile enough to capture fast moving players for which the zoom is ideal. I mostly shoot from a monopod with the IS feature disabled to facilitate horizontal panning. I'm sorry I didn't have this lens a decade ago and that I waited a year after its release before buying it. Customer Service Never used Similar Products Used: 100-300 f4.5 |
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[Dec 19, 2000]
Jennifer Olenbeck
Professional
Strength:
IS, slightly faster focus than Nikon 80-400.
Weakness:
Mine is an optical lemon. 70-200 + 2X TC is better, although that doesn't have IS. Focus is quiet and smooth, but isn't al that fast or accurate. Mine must be a lemon. The pictures are soft with or without IS from 200 outwards. I've test one other sample, it was better, but still not in the "good enough for $1800" catagory. The AF is good, but not really hugely better than Nikon's VR lens. Nikon's VR also works a little better on film, although Nikon VR gives me vertigo in the view finder, the Canon IS never did that. Customer Service Good. Similar Products Used: EF 70-200 + 2X, 500 IS, various Nikons including 80-400 VR |
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[Dec 18, 2000]
Scott Moran
Intermediate
Strength:
GREAT lens! Autofocusing is fast and the prints are sharp. Great for wildlife photography because of the broad focal range, and the IS feature, so you aren't fumbling with a tripod while a bear eats you. Another plus: People look at it and think you are a real pro, often moving out of your way. Focus tension ring is a great feature, also.
Weakness:
Airport security makes you virtually field strip it. Size and weight, however well worth it in photo quality. A great lens, which is well worth the high cost. Eat canned foods and drink diet pepsi for a few weeks. Then go out and do some shooting! You will LOVE the results. Customer Service Not needed. Similar Products Used: Sigma 70-210 AF, Canon 35-50 AF. |
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[Dec 27, 2000]
Brett Jameson
Intermediate
Strength:
"L" Glass
Weakness:
Hey, it's expensive, but if you want the best you have to pay for it. I got this lens to use for the Formula one race this past Septmeber. I knew that I wanted something long since I wouldn't be able to get that close to the action, and it came down to this and the Sigma 50-500. I finally decided that I would probably be too lazy to shoot on with a monopod so I decided to go with the IS, even though it would cost me about $500 more. I shot 15 rolls race weekend and was totally blown away by the results. Customer Service Haven't used 'em Similar Products Used: Canon 75-300 |
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[Dec 23, 2000]
Alex Ng
Intermediate
Strength:
Great zoom range, great optics, IS works very well most of the time. Better hood and case.
Weakness:
Out of focus blur is very jagged most of the time (bokeh), hence not that ideal for portraits. IS good for still objects but not that great for mobile ones. Subjectively I don't like the push & pull zoom, also the tightening and loosening switch should be improved (ie should be detached from the focusing ring). Great lens to have in the EF lineup, surprisingly good optics given the added IS group. IS really helps for telephoto. I would choose the lens over the 70-200 2.8L and maybe add a 135 F2L for portraits. Heard about the sample variation problem but luckily not a problem for my lens (but my 17-35 was terrible). Customer Service Non-required Similar Products Used: EF 70-200 2.8L, EF 70-200 4L, 100-300 5.6L |
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[Jan 06, 2001]
Barbara Kantor
Professional
Strength:
Very solid build, good focusing, IS really works!
Weakness:
Push pull design, softness. L quality throughout except for the optics, which isn't up to the other L lenses. The picture is soft at all apertures at 300 or 400. At 300, it's a quite bit worse than the 100-300 L at all apertures. Customer Service Ok Similar Products Used: Nothing really similar, maybe 70-300 IS and 100-300L |
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[Jan 16, 2001]
Aaron Marks
Expert
Strength:
Extremely accurate and quiet focusing system. For its F stop and versatility, it has very fast focusing capabilities. Built to last. Looks really nice on an EOS body.
Weakness:
Price, but if you have the money and take photography seriously, buy this lens. Drains camera battery fairly quickly. This is an incredible lens. If you're using the lens for a long period of time, unless you have extremely strong forearms, I recommend a monopod. All in all, this lens is an incredible investment. It surpasses other lenses that are comparable because of the crispness around the edges. Incredible uniform sharpness. Similar Products Used: Canon 400mm F/2.8, Sigma 100-500mm |