I have been lucky enough to have been able to have a play with the lens and taken some images with it. It is beautifully built, small and light. The big thing is, it is *sharp* and sharp from wide open. The AF is fast, not quite 400mm f2.8 fast but very fast and seems accurate. The bokeh looks good, but the overall IQ looks *superb*. It is quite silly how small this lens is and how well it performs, it is quite unbelievable that this is a 500mm. Can't wait to get my hands on mine once they have been released.
Lance, this is great. Thanks for sharing with us. I have been flip flopping between getting the Z7 or this lens. With your comments, the deal is sealed in favour of the lens.
Great to hear some user reports. I’m surprised how little I’m hearing about this lens. It’s one of the most exciting announcements in a long time (for me). I’m surprised Canon didn’t go with DO technology on the new 600. The 400 DO and 300 PF seem to show that the technology has improved and there are no longer any “real world” image quality deficits.
40Driggs wrote:
Great to hear some user reports. I’m surprised how little I’m hearing about this lens. It’s one of the most exciting announcements in a long time (for me). I’m surprised Canon didn’t go with DO technology on the new 600. The 400 DO and 300 PF seem to show that the technology has improved and there are no longer any “real world” image quality deficits.
Canon 600mm is around 3 Kg, and 400mm f2.8 is 2.8 Kg..I think weight is already great. There is some conspiracy theory around compromises already over at Canon forum on FM, I guess we are difficult bunch to please..
40Driggs wrote:
Great to hear some user reports. I’m surprised how little I’m hearing about this lens. It’s one of the most exciting announcements in a long time (for me). I’m surprised Canon didn’t go with DO technology on the new 600. The 400 DO and 300 PF seem to show that the technology has improved and there are no longer any “real world” image quality deficits.
Weight/size loss might be more pronounced with less bright lenses like the Nikon PF ones compared to the Canon DO lenses (in general this would be expected, but it depends on details of the DO/PF technology like the size/place of the DO element). Maybe Canon realized that there isn't much to gain in their latest 4/600 by adding a DO element (as shown in prototype form 1-2 years ago).
Apart from potential image quality issues there are other potential problems with PF/DO elements related to production and environmental tolerances (e.g. vibration, temperature changes) that could also favor slightly less bright designs.
bs kite wrote:
Sounds exciting Lance! I think I'll hang onto this one.
Has anyone heard anything lately on shipping dates?
I've been trying to follow-up with B&H on this... Nikon still lists the 13th, but I have a feeling that they won't come close to meeting the back-orders/pre-orders on this.
I pre-ordered with B&H within hours of the release, but if they do not get their products on time, it will be wrapped up in their prolonged store closing that always coincides with the Jewish Holidays.
I too am excited by the lens, but not having it has not caused a near-death experience... so I guess I can wait a bit longer if that is what I need to do...
I don't want or need until late November, that's my next bird venue. In the mean time I'll goof off with the 300PF.
Not wanting or needing might allow mine to arrive early. If I had a big trip end of this month I'd never see it
For those who are looking for "early shipment," I fear that you are going to be waiting.
I contacted B&H this morning (see earlier post), and they said that the expected date of arrival has been pushed to mid-October. This date may be "mid-October" for fulfillment of non-NPS members, or mid-October for everyone. I am an NPS member and I registered my order with NPS... I still have a small hope to receive the lens in September, as I am co-leading a pair of two-day wildlife workshops in October and would love to have the new lens to share and try out on the workshop.
However, if they are having production issues, I'm more than happy to wait it out, as I would rather have a great lens than a poor lens delivered on the expected date.
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