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Archive 2013 · Can anyone comment on the comparison between 400L f5.6 & 100-400L?

  
 
firstgear99
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Can anyone comment on the comparison between 400L f5.6 & 100-400L?


I have the 100-400L and thought about the 400 f2.8, but don't really operate at the focal length enough to justify the money. On the other hand the 400L f5.6 is affordable. What do I really get by buying the f5.6? Will I see a far better image?

Your experience and comments is appreciated!

Regards, Herb



Jan 29, 2013 at 12:34 PM
Older Fossil
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Can anyone comment on the comparison between 400L f5.6 & 100-400L?


I have both a 100-400mm and a 400mm f/5.6. For me and my copies, this is my opinion:

The 100-400 is much more versatile and has IS. It is a bit soft at 400mm.
The 400mm is sharper wide open and autofocuses much faster, but has no IS.

If I know I'm going to be focal length challenged and will be photographing in good light, I'll opt for the 400mm (especially for BIF). If I want to be prepared for more variety in subject distance and light, I'll usually go with the 100-400.

Art



Jan 29, 2013 at 01:02 PM
Lotuselite
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Can anyone comment on the comparison between 400L f5.6 & 100-400L?


This is a very frequently asked question. Not trying to be rude here but I think you will access far more info from a number of sites with a search. Many of the people who have responded in the past may not want to go to the effort of repeating themselves.
There is ton of information on the two lenses already out there.





Jan 29, 2013 at 01:23 PM
CW100
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Can anyone comment on the comparison between 400L f5.6 & 100-400L?


firstgear99 wrote:
I have the 100-400L and thought about the 400 f2.8, but don't really operate at the focal length enough to justify the money. On the other hand the 400L f5.6 is affordable. What do I really get by buying the f5.6? Will I see a far better image?

Your experience and comments is appreciated!

Regards, Herb


I use to have the 400mm 5.6 prime but eventually got and kept the 100-400 because the 100-400 was more versatile for what I shoot (sports, events, wildlife, etc) and almost as sharp as the prime












Jan 29, 2013 at 01:36 PM
jakita33
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Can anyone comment on the comparison between 400L f5.6 & 100-400L?


Hey Herb,

Going to agree with previous posters. I started with the 400 5.6 and then added the 100-400 to my kit. While the prime focused more quickly, I didn't see that big of a difference in my pictures between the 2 that would overcome the incredible advanatge the 100-400 has with its versitility. Unlike the 400, I have been able to use the 100-400 in almost all my shooting from wildlife, to sports, to kids in the backyard. I sold the 400 years ago and never looked back.

J



Jan 29, 2013 at 01:41 PM
PetKal
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Can anyone comment on the comparison between 400L f5.6 & 100-400L?


As Lotus said, that is probably one of the most discussed (and tired) topics on this forum, next to the subjects such as "Do expensive gears always make good pictures" and "Canon makes lousy sensors".

The "search" will not give you a clear cut answer, because there ain't such a thing, but you are likely to take away some better understanding of comparative traits those two lenses have.



Jan 29, 2013 at 01:43 PM
Hersch
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Can anyone comment on the comparison between 400L f5.6 & 100-400L?


I had both for several years and used the 100-400 way more than the 400 prime. My choice of which to use almost always came down to versatility and close focus distance. The 400/5.6 is an excellent bird in flight lens with fast focus and a focus distance that is suitable for BIF. The close focus is over 11 ft. on the 400/5.6 and about 6 ft. on the 100-400. The 100-400 is not a true 400mm at the long end. (More like 380mm) It was a hard decision for me to make but I sold the 400/5.6 and kept the 100-400 based on versatility and the ability to focus closer. I could not see a noticeable difference in IQ to sway me one way or another.


Jan 29, 2013 at 01:58 PM
abqnmusa
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Can anyone comment on the comparison between 400L f5.6 & 100-400L?


I chose 400mm F5.6 prime lens
-- due to birding and nature photography
-- faster auto-focus
-- sharper at 400mm
-- sharp wide open at F5.6
-- works well with a 1.4X TC -- It can auto-focus Birds in Flight at 560mm F8 on 5D III (Tamron non-reporting TC)

Personally I see no need for IS. Especially if you shoot from a tripod.
I shoot hand held and get excellent results at 400mm and very good results with the 1.4X TC

I did not see the point in the zoom as I would be at 400mm 99.9% of the time

Edited on Jan 29, 2013 at 03:54 PM · View previous versions



Jan 29, 2013 at 02:40 PM
voltaire
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Can anyone comment on the comparison between 400L f5.6 & 100-400L?


Sold my 400 f/5.6 after owning both. My 100-400 is one of my most used lenses because of it's versatility. It's soft wide open but when you stop down one f/stop it is pretty sharp. It's a slow lens but it fits my needs.

Hope this helps.



Jan 29, 2013 at 02:41 PM
Imagemaster
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Can anyone comment on the comparison between 400L f5.6 & 100-400L?


firstgear99 wrote:
I have the 100-400L and thought about the 400 f2.8, but don't really operate at the focal length enough to justify the money. On the other hand the 400L f5.6 is affordable. What do I really get by buying the f5.6? Will I see a far better image?

Your experience and comments is appreciated!

Regards, Herb


No, you will not see a far better image. I have owned four copies of both lenses. I see no difference in shots taken wide open at 400mm between either lens. The prime will AF slightly faster and is lighter. The zoom is far more versatile.

These shots were taken with the zoom:























Jan 29, 2013 at 04:07 PM
acjd
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Can anyone comment on the comparison between 400L f5.6 & 100-400L?


Read This


Jan 29, 2013 at 04:23 PM
jasonpatrick
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Can anyone comment on the comparison between 400L f5.6 & 100-400L?


I've had both. Kept the zoom. For me, the sharpness at 400 wasn't noticeable unless I was cropping super deep into the image or viewing at 200%.

Love the versatility, IS, and better MFD on the 100-400 - it also allowed me to sell my 70-200, because for what I photograph, there was no need for both the 100-400 and 70-200. Netted me 1k to put into different gears.



Jan 29, 2013 at 04:30 PM
Cicopo
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Can anyone comment on the comparison between 400L f5.6 & 100-400L?


That L L test is VERY dated. I think it's fair to say that Canon's QC has improved since then.


Jan 29, 2013 at 04:42 PM
jason.alabama
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Can anyone comment on the comparison between 400L f5.6 & 100-400L?


This is a general observation:

The fact that these two lenses are often compared to one another with no definite winner implies to me that they are very close to being the same lens. I do understand that in some circumstances these differences can be significant. However, for more bang for the buck, I would spend my money on a lens that allows me to accomplish something completely different to the lenses that I already own. An example would be if I had the 100-400L, perhaps instead of getting a 400 f5.6, I would instead get a macro lens. Or maybe take the money that I would have used on the 400 f5.6, and save up another year or two and then splurge on the 400 f2.8.



Jan 29, 2013 at 05:24 PM
Lotuselite
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Can anyone comment on the comparison between 400L f5.6 & 100-400L?


I suspect that if the "mythical" updated 100-400 ever shows up the F5.6 prime will lose some of its attraction, unless of course Canon price it out of sight.
The prime is very good 400mm at a very good price, go anywhere beyond it and the cost curve goes near vertical.



Jan 29, 2013 at 07:39 PM
dmcharg
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Can anyone comment on the comparison between 400L f5.6 & 100-400L?


i rented 300 f4, 400 5.6 and compared to my 100-400 and my conclusion was the flexibility of the zoom far outweighs any tiny differences in IQ.


Jan 29, 2013 at 08:02 PM
firstgear99
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Can anyone comment on the comparison between 400L f5.6 & 100-400L?


Lotuselite wrote:
This is a very frequently asked question. Not trying to be rude here but I think you will access far more info from a number of sites with a search. Many of the people who have responded in the past may not want to go to the effort of repeating themselves.
There is ton of information on the two lenses already out there.

thanks for your post......and I appreciate those not wanting to repeat them selves.....point made. Thanks for your comments, they were informative.



Jan 29, 2013 at 09:25 PM
firstgear99
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Can anyone comment on the comparison between 400L f5.6 & 100-400L?


jakita33 wrote:
Hey Herb,

Going to agree with previous posters. I started with the 400 5.6 and then added the 100-400 to my kit. While the prime focused more quickly, I didn't see that big of a difference in my pictures between the 2 that would overcome the incredible advanatge the 100-400 has with its versitility. Unlike the 400, I have been able to use the 100-400 in almost all my shooting from wildlife, to sports, to kids in the backyard. I sold the 400 years ago and never looked back.

J

thank you for the excellent comments......you answered my question!



Jan 29, 2013 at 09:26 PM
firstgear99
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Can anyone comment on the comparison between 400L f5.6 & 100-400L?


Hersch wrote:
I had both for several years and used the 100-400 way more than the 400 prime. My choice of which to use almost always came down to versatility and close focus distance. The 400/5.6 is an excellent bird in flight lens with fast focus and a focus distance that is suitable for BIF. The close focus is over 11 ft. on the 400/5.6 and about 6 ft. on the 100-400. The 100-400 is not a true 400mm at the long end. (More like 380mm) It was a hard decision for me to make but I sold the 400/5.6 and kept
...Show moreperfect...thanks!



Jan 29, 2013 at 09:27 PM
firstgear99
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Can anyone comment on the comparison between 400L f5.6 & 100-400L?


Imagemaster wrote:
No, you will not see a far better image. I have owned four copies of both lenses. I see no difference in shots taken wide open at 400mm between either lens. The prime will AF slightly faster and is lighter. The zoom is far more versatile.

These shots were taken with the zoom:
thanks for the examples....by the way, damn you take nice photos!



Jan 29, 2013 at 09:28 PM
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