To Carl (the OP) I would have said beware; whenever the question of "should I get this lens" comes up there are loads of fabulous examples posted of what the lens is capable of (as there has been here). But there are two things to consder:
1. You are going to use this lens on a 40D body in which case you will not be able to use it with a x1.4TC without a struggle (you lose AF unless you use the "pin taping" trick or a non-reporting TC).
2. Most of the superb example shots (O.K., I know there exceptions) are taken in very good light where the lack of IS is irrelevant.
I live in the Algarve most of the time and my home in London some of the time. I use the 400 f/5.6 on a 1DMk3. In sunny Algarve I have such brilliant light that I often have shutter speeds of 1/5,000s or more and very often use the lens with a Canon x1.4TCII which retains AF on the centre focus point. This lens is a dream and since getting it I hardly ever use my 100-400 zoom, and often take it out in preference to my 500 f/4 as a "walk about" lens.
BUT, using it in the U.K. I have found to be a totally different experience and even without a TC it sometimes struggles to do what I want it to do (mainly birding shots). The lens is excellent and probably best value for money in Canon's "L" line-up, but just don't expect the same results straight away as some of these guys are getting shooting birds in the Florida Everglades, or wherever.
Of course you have to balance this against the alternative solutions of selling your car or remortgaging your house and getting one of the fast 400 primes.
I'm sure you will love the lens - just pray for some good weather.
Colin Key wrote:
To Carl (the OP) I would have said beware; whenever the question of "should I get this lens" comes up there are loads of fabulous examples posted of what the lens is capable of (as there has been here). But there are two things to consder:
1. You are going to use this lens on a 40D body in which case you will not be able to use it with a x1.4TC without a struggle (you lose AF unless you use the "pin taping" trick or a non-reporting TC).
2. Most of the superb example shots (O.K., I know there exceptions) are taken in very good light where the lack of IS is irrelevant.
I live in the Algarve most of the time and my home in London some of the time. I use the 400 f/5.6 on a 1DMk3. In sunny Algarve I have such brilliant light that I often have shutter speeds of 1/5,000s or more and very often use the lens with a Canon x1.4TCII which retains AF on the centre focus point. This lens is a dream and since getting it I hardly ever use my 100-400 zoom, and often take it out in preference to my 500 f/4 as a "walk about" lens.
BUT, using it in the U.K. I have found to be a totally different experience and even without a TC it sometimes struggles to do what I want it to do (mainly birding shots). The lens is excellent and probably best value for money in Canon's "L" line-up, but just don't expect the same results straight away as some of these guys are getting shooting birds in the Florida Everglades, or wherever.
Of course you have to balance this against the alternative solutions of selling your car or remortgaging your house and getting one of the fast 400 primes.
I'm sure you will love the lens - just pray for some good weather.
Colin...Show more →
Colin thanks for the reality check. I do understand that with my limited experience it will be hard to get quality shots due to light conditions in the UK, especially on the Exe estuary in winter when I’ll be trying to get some of the many migratory birds which visit the area. Even if I could afford one of the faster primes I couldn’t justify it, need to learn to walk before I can run and if things do not work out the expense will not be to devastating.
Just to be a bit more optimistic than my previous post you might like to have a look at Keith Reeder's website http://capture-the-moment.co.uk/tp/ Keith uses a 100-400 zoom on a 40D (and previously a 30D) body with some fabulous results and being based in the north of England does not enjoy particularly good light. Keith is a great advocate of the zoom versus the prime (let us not divert into that argument again here!!) - he has an excellent copy (some early ones were a bit "dodgy") and is getting the best out of it, so you should be able to do as well with some practice since in MY opinion the prime is sharper wide open and has faster AF.
Just to be a bit more optimistic than my previous post you might like to have a look at Keith Reeder's website http://capture-the-moment.co.uk/tp/ Keith uses a 100-400 zoom on a 40D (and previously a 30D) body with some fabulous results and being based in the north of England does not enjoy particularly good light. Keith is a great advocate of the zoom versus the prime (let us not divert into that argument again here!!) - he has an excellent copy (some early ones were a bit "dodgy") and is getting the best out of it, so you should be able to do as well with some practice since in MY opinion the prime is sharper wide open and has faster AF.
I use the 400mm f5.6L a fair bit - and yes it does like lots of light - but if you can push the ISO up then, it can still be used.
This shot was taken at Salzburg zoo the other day- it was pretty dark under the trees and I had to drop the shutter speed down to 1/400 @ f/5.6 and use ISO3200. And it was hand held - as are 90% of my shots.
Exif should be intact.
The focus speed is blistering - I did try a 70-200mm f2.8IS with a 2x converter the other week - and the AF with the 2x is so sloooow (to be expected!) and it really did make me appriciate the prime.
I've looked a couple of times at the 100-400 - but the push pull zoom doesn't feel right - it may be that it just needs practice.
anglefire wrote:
I use the 400mm f5.6L a fair bit - and yes it does like lots of light - but if you can push the ISO up then, it can still be used.
This shot was taken at Salzburg zoo the other day- it was pretty dark under the trees and I had to drop the shutter speed down to 1/400 @ f/5.6 and use ISO3200. And it was hand held - as are 90% of my shots.
The focus speed is blistering - I did try a 70-200mm f2.8IS with a 2x converter the other week - and the AF with the 2x is so sloooow (to be expected!) and it really did make me appriciate the prime.
I've looked a couple of times at the 100-400 - but the push pull zoom doesn't feel right - it may be that it just needs practice. ...Show more →
Thanks Mark, I'm convinced with practice I'll be able to get some good shots, alot of the shots I have seen often start at 400iso especially when at F8. Would be great to see some more shots from UK shooters the ones posted here from the US are as always top notch.
To be honest, unless its really bright, I tend to start at ISO400 when I've got the 400mm mounted - but not always the case - I went to Mallory park earlier this year and was using ISO100-200 pretty much all day.
With MkIII I tend to use shutter priority, with ISO safety shift on and sometimes also limit the aperature values (That way the ISO is pushed down as well as up).
This is one of too many I have on my website, taken at Mallory!
1/320" F6.3 ISO100
If you are into birds, this was taken at Kenilworth Castle back in May.
Going off at a tangent a bit Mark, but just wondered what you did regarding noise reduction (and with which software) in the Eagle Owl shot. I presume you shot in RAW?
Only reason for asking is that I am currently considering Neat Image, Noise Ninja or Noiseware as a photoshop plugin.
hfillmore wrote:
Even though I have the 600 now, I'll NEVER sell my 400 5.6. It's just too handy, too light, too sharp, and super fast focusing to ever sell. This one lens is the reason why I went with Canon to begin with. Holds its value incredibly well. Have you checked the FM reviews on this lens?
Dittos. I've got the 300, 500, had the 600 till I sold it Friday, and have the 800, and I'll never sell my 400 5.6----it's a killer lens at a great price. Nothing beats it for a lightweight and small travel lens. And it's sharp as a tack. With the newer cameras high iso performance, the aperture is becomeing less and less and issue.
Maybe it's me (most likely) or maybe the fact that I really enjoy coffe, but I could not get good focus hand holding the 400. I would find it informative if people posting these wonderful shots would also inform as to handheld, monopod, tripod, other. In deciding about a lens purchase handholdability (is that a word?) is an important consideration.
trenchmonkey wrote:
Early mornings, last light I'm at ISO 800-1250 with this combo...no probs. Sure f4'd be better
but that DO will set ya back 5x as much. Check out Jody Melanson's stuff, he's the 400 f5.6 King! Mr. Zoom's no slouch either but he's a 500 f4 IS guy now.
Trench,
I don't descriminate Even though I recently aquired a 500 f4 I will most definately be keeping the 400 5.6 for BIF action and when I want to travel light. Each lens is a tool and will be used for what they are best at. I also have the 100-400 -- good for zoos
Colin Key wrote:
Going off at a tangent a bit Mark, but just wondered what you did regarding noise reduction (and with which software) in the Eagle Owl shot. I presume you shot in RAW?
Only reason for asking is that I am currently considering Neat Image, Noise Ninja or Noiseware as a photoshop plugin.
Colin
I tend to not use any noise reduction - this was, as you correctly say, taken in Raw and then processed in CS3, with the standard noise reduction settings used in there. I'm afraid, I can't help regarding the plugins!
Keep this thread rolling, some great shots with a sleeper of a lens in today's f2.8 world. Just got mine from b&h last wednesday and it's been raining ever since last monday from lovely tropical storm Fay. Sun is out today but have to take the shutters down. This lens is gonna get a workout on wednesday when i'm off.
DocsPics wrote:
Maybe it's me (most likely) or maybe the fact that I really enjoy coffe, but I could not get good focus hand holding the 400. I would find it informative if people posting these wonderful shots would also inform as to handheld, monopod, tripod, other. In deciding about a lens purchase handholdability (is that a word?) is an important consideration.
All my pictures with this lens are handheld. Trenchmonkey says everything you need about the technique. And I also enjoy coffee as much as you can imagine !
A tip for those who have just gotten the lens. If you are going to do a lot of handheld shots, remove the tripod mount. I took mine off about two years ago and in my opionion it makes the lens lighter and easier to hold and use.
If you're going to hand hold this lens take the tripod mount off. I notice while supporting the middle of this lens my hand is on the focusing ring, after the lens achieves focus the ring can be moved and lose focus so I tape it.
