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Archive 2015 · Canon 100-400mm II vs Canon 400mm F4 DO Lens

  
 
ox0312
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Canon 100-400mm II vs Canon 400mm F4 DO Lens


I was evaluating the options that I have in the 400mm range and I filter it down to these two lens... (400mm F4 DO II is little out of range)

Canon 400mm DO price is going down in the used forums - regularly selling in good condition between ($2500-$2900) range (don't want to offend the current owners).

New 100-400mm II is $2200 right now (difference of $400 - $600)

I already have 400mm 5.6 but looking for a lens with IS.

I can think of the following Pros/Cons of both... Please share you experiences/thoughts on both

> 400 F4 DO
Pros:
- Obvious one Stop Advantage
- Excellent AF
Any other....

Cons:
- Probably the worst MFD of all 400mm lenses
- Bokeh.... is it?
- Weight (4.3lb vs 3.5lb)


> 100-400mm Mark II
Pros:
- Best IS
- Best MFD
- Work better with 1.4 III Tele at F8 (I have cameras that can focus at F8)
- Zoom (obvious but not my preference)
- Any other

Cons:
- F5.6 at 400mm (one stop more)
- Any other??

Looking for general walk around lens for wildlife (Also have 500mm f4 IS) but looking for a 2nd lighter option for some situations. I can probably decide on my own but I always get some useful information from this forum which help the decision-making.

Thanks



Feb 10, 2015 at 08:35 PM
rprouty
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Canon 100-400mm II vs Canon 400mm F4 DO Lens


The 100-400 II IQ will really surprise you in a good way.

Rod




Feb 10, 2015 at 08:54 PM
PetKal
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Canon 100-400mm II vs Canon 400mm F4 DO Lens


100-400 II has better IQ than a typical 400 DO MkI, although there are some 400 DO MkI copies which are very good, but I view those as exception.

As far as AF responsiveness is concerned, both lenses are similar, although 400 DO would have an intrinsic advantage because it is one stop faster.

Similarly, 100-400 II + 1.4xTC yields very good IQ, better than 400 DO MkI + 1.4xTC, however, the latter combo has better AF performance.

Lastly, 400 DO MkI can get you to 800mm with 2xTC with autofocusing on a number of cameras. The zoom can not go beyond 560mm with AF on any camera.
However, I have not used my 400 DO MkI with 2xTC, because the performance was poor any which way I looked at it.

The bottom line: although the nominal aperture of f/4 gives 400 DO MkI a couple of expected advantages over 100-400 II, my opinion is that the zoom is a significantly better lens regarding IQ, versatility (variable FL + excellent MFD), handhold-ability (lighter + much better IS) and price.

Almost forgot about bokeh. No practical difference. 400 DO MkI has more susceptibility to global flare (resulting in contrast reduction) in response to strong extrenuous sources of light. However, mitigating the effects of such light is Photography 0.1.
Bokeh largely depends on lens-target-background geometry, background colours and texture, shot aperture, etc.



Feb 10, 2015 at 10:39 PM
mogud
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Canon 100-400mm II vs Canon 400mm F4 DO Lens


If I were about to buy either the 400 DO v1 or the 100-400 II, there would be no decision. I would buy the zoom for sure, hands down. As the OP stated, the 100-400 II has great MFD, superb IS and lighter than the 400 DO v1.

My 100-400 II is up there as one of the best lenses I own.



Feb 10, 2015 at 11:52 PM
ox0312
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Canon 100-400mm II vs Canon 400mm F4 DO Lens


PetKal wrote:
100-400 II has better IQ than a typical 400 DO MkI, although there are some 400 DO MkI copies which are very good, but I view those as exception.

....


Thanks PetKal for your response.

From your posts I noticed that you still have the v1 of the DO lens. If I read correctly, new Zoom is simply superior in most aspects ... I am afraid say but that will probably make the 400 DO v1 obsolete in the next few months (even in used market)




Feb 11, 2015 at 02:38 AM
PetKal
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Canon 100-400mm II vs Canon 400mm F4 DO Lens


I wouldn't go as far as calling 400 DO MkI obsolete, but there are certainly more cost effective options available today for general type of wildlife photography and such. However, 400 DO does have a nominal aperture advantage, and, depending on what one needs/likes to shoot, that advantage might be important to some people, some of the time.


Feb 11, 2015 at 06:51 AM
jabera10
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Canon 100-400mm II vs Canon 400mm F4 DO Lens


If you think you will be at 400mm and using a 1.4x TC most of the time, you may not want to count out the 400 DO Mk I. I have used the 100-400 mk II and 400 DO mk I with a 1.4x III, and as PetKal mentioned, the AF performance is better with the 400 DO Mk I/1.4x TC combination. Focus is instantaneous with my 400 DO Mk I/1.4x no matter how out of focus the subject is initially. I have to pay more attention and pre-focus with the 100-400 II/1.4x sometimes.



Feb 11, 2015 at 09:32 AM
dgdg
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Canon 100-400mm II vs Canon 400mm F4 DO Lens


The 400 DO Mk I is a sweet lens for the aperture. Walking around with the 100-400 Mk II is much easier and I almost didn't notice it over the shoulder when I recently rented it for a specific trip.

Since you have the 500mm f/4, I would say if you want a general walk around wild life lens, the 100-400 would compliment your setup very well. The 400DO while luggable on day hikes, is too similar to your 500mm, at least for my preferences. The 400 + 1.4x will be easier to track with BIF compared to the 100-400mm + 1.4x as you will be only at f/5.6, but I imagine your using the 500mm instead.

I would get the 100-400 Mk II and a 1.4x. It will also be great for roadside large animal wildlife that will be too close for your 500mm.

David



Feb 11, 2015 at 09:37 AM





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