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Archive 2022 · beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400, is it time to retire & replace?

little tern
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400, is it time to retire & replace?

I have a beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400L, the first version with the push/pull zoom. I know I was shooting with it as far back as 2010, possibly much earlier but I don't have an easy way to figure out when I purchased it. I've taken thousands of shots (everything from being the official photographer at motorcycle racing events, to bird photography, to regular old snapshot type stuff). This has truly been a beloved lens. However (you knew this was coming) as my cameras and other tech gets better, and this lens ages, I am noticing more vignetting, less sharpness, etc. Currently, I prefer using my Canon 5D Mark IV. I have shuffled through several mirrorless cameras (fuji's x-system and some of the Sony's) but I always go back to a full frame Canon DSLR. Even though I'm tiny (120 lbs on a good day) I don't mind the weight of a full frame DSLR and the 100-400 lens and I've used it so much that the push/pull zoom feels natural to me. I don't know that I would want to go much longer than this lens when fully zoomed or much heavier if I were to replace it. Presently, I'm using it for birding and shooting dogs at various competitions (both in action and still--or as still as dogs can get).

Does the newer EF 100-400L II have an appreciable improvement in optics? Is there something else I should be considering? Should I just hold on to what I have for now because Canon has not been updating the EF lineup? Would love to hear thoughts and ideas.

for reference, my current lens: https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/ef345.html
I also own and really enjoy using a 70-200L F4

Mar 31, 2022 at 11:26 AM

AmbientMike
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400, is it time to retire & replace?

You should probably check on a repair. Older lenses shouldn't have more vignetting and less sharpness. Not sure about parts but a 3rd party shop may be able to adjust something

Mar 31, 2022 at 11:40 AM

gdanmitchell
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400, is it time to retire & replace?

little tern wrote:
I have a beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400L, the first version with the push/pull zoom. I know I was shooting with it as far back as 2010, possibly much earlier but I don't have an easy way to figure out when I purchased it. I've taken thousands of shots (everything from being the official photographer at motorcycle racing events, to bird photography, to regular old snapshot type stuff). This has truly been a beloved lens. However (you knew this was coming) as my cameras and other tech gets better, and this lens ages, I am noticing more vignetting,...Show more →

I had the original EF 100-400L — actually, we still have it for occasional use. I also have the v.2 version of the EF 100-400.

I actually liked the push-pull mechanism of the old lens. It is quick to operate and it makes ergonomic sense to move the hand "out" as you extend the lens, thus keeping your supporting hand closer to the center of balance.

But aside from such preferences, the v.2 lens is a significant improvement. It is sharper across the frame. It has less vignetting — though the vignetting can still be rather visible. It has faster and, I feel, more accurate AF. The IS works more effectively, allowing the use of lower shutter speeds. It works with the 1.4x TC, at least on most recent bodies.

Dan

Mar 31, 2022 at 11:45 AM

pokemeng
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400, is it time to retire & replace?

I have not owned them but the image comparison tool on the digital picture shows significant improvements with V2 and this is about in line with what I have heard here and there.

https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=972&Camera=453&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=113&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

EDIT: arg, it looks like clicking the link doesnt actually work well. If you copy paste it into the browser itll bring up the correct comparison

Mar 31, 2022 at 11:47 AM

jedibrain
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400, is it time to retire & replace?

Had both, still have the v2. It is noticeably better optically, though I was always very happy with the v1. It is much faster at AF than the V1, which for the faster camera I got (R6) was much better. Much better for sports and wildlife, though again the v1 always worked well for me - its just this one is better. On a used to used basis, it was worth the upgrade to me. And a used v2 is optically and AF wise close enough to the RF 100-500 it is not worth the really large cost difference (IMO).

Brian

Mar 31, 2022 at 12:50 PM

brad-man
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400, is it time to retire & replace?

I still use my EF100-400 v1 and it is as sharp as it always was, which is sharp. I have compared it to the v2, and the differences I noticed was significantly improved IS and it is sharper at the edges. I noticed a slight difference in AF speed and no difference in center sharpness.

I have since picked up the RF100-400 lens (I have an EOS R) and find it to be very close in sharpness to the L, better IS. much much lighter and a bargain at $650. So I use both, depending on which body I'm shooting. If you have an R mount camera, I recommend the RF100-400. It is so small and light and easy to use & carry.

Mar 31, 2022 at 01:00 PM

Sy Sez
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400, is it time to retire & replace?

I also missed the Push-pull zoom of the original, but the v2 was/is a significant improvement in IQ.

I used my EF 100-400L-2 with my R4, and later replaced it with an RF 100-500L, and I find the overall IQ to be quite close between the two.

Mar 31, 2022 at 04:03 PM

Shutterbug2006
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400, is it time to retire & replace?

little tern wrote:
Does the newer EF 100-400L II have an appreciable improvement in optics? Is there something else I should be considering? Should I just hold on to what I have for now because Canon has not been updating the EF lineup? Would love to hear thoughts and ideas.

for reference, my current lens: https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/ef345.html
I also own and really enjoy using a 70-200L F4

I have the version 1 lens and while it works great, I would like to upgrade to the II because it can focus really close, as close as 31 inches. At 400mm it can focus as close as 35" from the sensor.

I tried a nice copy.

It's ultra-sharp. At 400mm it's very sharp compared to my version 1. Some of that sharpness is because it has a Fluorite element. It focuses almost instantly. At 400mm, even if it's way out of focus when I start the auto-focus it focuses fast! And auto-focus is almost instantaneous with my Canon EF Extender 1.4x II.

My old version one doesn't focus as fast, and is not quite as sharp at 400mm.

Mar 31, 2022 at 08:36 PM

TeamSpeed
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400, is it time to retire & replace?

The first version was ok and matched the sigma 150-500 (before the 150-600), but both of those are surpassed by the MKII.

There were alot of copy variations of the first gen however, and some were worse than others.

Mar 31, 2022 at 10:41 PM

Ray Swindle
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400, is it time to retire & replace?

I used the v1 until it was stolen. It was a great lens with wonderful resolution. After the theft, I procured the v2. The v2 is so much better than the v1 in every way. I can rotate the zoom with my thumb and finger vs. pushing and pulling. I would not have bought the v2 as long as I had the v1, but due to the theft, I was amazed at the improvements. It stays on my R6 for field sports. My 70-200 f/2.8 vII replaces it for indoor sports. You are facing a very hard decision. I think it comes down to $$$. Can you afford to upgrade? If yes, do it. If no, stay with the v1. It is a great lens. Don't know about the vignetting, if it is a problem, upgrade!

Ray

Mar 31, 2022 at 11:01 PM

Peter Figen
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400, is it time to retire & replace?

The v2 lens is not only much sharper and much higher contrast but it focuses faster and works much better with a teleconverter than the v1 lens, and it'll work phenomenally well with you 5D4. It's literally a night and day difference.

Apr 01, 2022 at 02:22 AM

Z250SA
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400, is it time to retire & replace?

The 5D4 + 100-400LIs v2 is a truly magnificent combo. Add the 1.4x v3 and it just keeps giving. I actually felt rather spoiled/stupid/GAS-full when I decided to throw it all plus my second kidney for the R5 and 100-500 (and 800/11) late last autumn.

From this view, with the first real experiences of the newest tech in good light, I would say that _IF_ you have no desire what so ever to go mirrorless, the 100-400 v2 might be an upgrade worth the money, especially with the 1.4x v3.

But if you have even the slightest thoughts about the new mirrorless stuff, avoid any EF and go full out RF when that day arrives. It is that much better no matter how good the 5D4 + lenses are.

Apr 01, 2022 at 03:38 AM

TeamSpeed
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400, is it time to retire & replace?

The RF lens price delta over the EF counterparts, almost in every situation, doesn't yield meaningful advantages compared to price.

The EF lenses work great on the R mounts, there is no need to force one's hand to buy into both the R models AND the RF lenses. Get the bodies now, save money by keeping EF, and later move to newer glass.

Apr 01, 2022 at 04:55 AM

Alan Kefauver
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400, is it time to retire & replace?

In my experience, The V2 was a major improvement over the V1 EF 100-400, and the RF 100-500 is a major step up from there. Haven't used the RF 100-400.

When I say that the RF 100-500 is a major step up, note that I was using the EF 100-400 V2 on a 5D4, and the RF 100-500 on a R5.

Apr 01, 2022 at 07:23 AM

Z250SA
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400, is it time to retire & replace?

TeamSpeed wrote:
The RF lens price delta over the EF counterparts, almost in every situation, doesn't yield meaningful advantages compared to price.

The EF lenses work great on the R mounts, there is no need to force one's hand to buy into both the R models AND the RF lenses. Get the bodies now, save money by keeping EF, and later move to newer glass.

Good points there. That was the rout I thought I chose when I decided to make the 5D4 to R5 swap. But then there was the added size of the adapter, and the 45Mp R5 with a 100-500 would be about the same resolution as the 5D4 + 100-400LIS2+1.4xIII, uncropped, without extender, without adapter, all new tech, lighter, smaller, yeah...

So _IF_ the 20Mp of an R6 would be enough, add the RF 100-400 and you´ve got one powerful imaging machine at your hands. With age I have started to appreciate lighter gear. As well as better reach and good high Mp...-> R5 and the RF100-400 is really tempting!

Apr 01, 2022 at 08:08 AM

melcat
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400, is it time to retire & replace?

You don't say whether you always use the lens hand-held, but if you do use a tripod be aware that the supplied tripod foot on the Mk II is horrible. Not only is it not Arca-Swiss, but on mine it just wasn't stable. Fortunately I was forewarned by forum posts here and had budget set aside for a third party replacement, but it could be an unpleasant surprise with what is already a very expensive lens.

I can't comment on the difference between the Mk I and II, since I never had the Mk I, but my Mk II is a *very* good lens. The loose–tight ring makes no sense to me and seems to be a hangover from the old Mk I push-pull design.

As to what else you might consider, Tamron and Sigma make 150–600 lenses which I think can be had in EF mount. A review I've seen suggests they are not as good optically. Sony makes a reportedly wonderful 200–600 with internal zoom which is actually slightly cheaper, but it weighs 2kg and is probably too heavy for you. Also, for sports 200mm might be too long.

Regarding the EF 100–500mm, be aware that if you put a teleconverter on it you can't set the lens to wider than 300mm (i.e. 420mm with a 1.4× converter). It is also slower than the EF 100–400m Mk II at most focal lengths. And they kept that horrible hatch on the lens hood, which I glued shut on my Mk II. I don't know what they were thinking putting the programmable control ring right near the mount; who could reach it there on a lens like this? I can't help thinking this lens will get its own Mk II sooner rather than later and might be a very bad buy, especially at its grossly inflated price.

More generally regarding keeping old lenses, 10 years isn't a problem from a photography point of view, but it might be financially. That's because if it breaks you might not be able to get it repaired, and if it doesn't break it might become harder to sell. I have some lenses up to 15 years old that I like a lot and don't "owe me anything" if they do break, and a couple I really should have sold when it was easier. Then again, the EF to RF transition means no-one really knows what will happen to used EF lens prices. I do think the EF 100–400 Mk II will still be preferred by quite a few people over the RF 100–500 for years to come so will be easier to sell than the Mk I, so if you can go from the Mk I to the Mk II now for a known cost you're happy with, that lessens the financial risk overall of staying in the EF system.

Edited on Apr 01, 2022 at 09:16 AM · View previous versions

Apr 01, 2022 at 09:10 AM

TeamSpeed
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400, is it time to retire & replace?

Having adapters with EF lenses adds 20mm for any lens from the VF, which is many, many cases is insignificant. I never understand using that as an argument for not using EF lenses. It is a constant for any EF lens and I personally never notice it. I have both the R6 and 5D4 as reference.

Edited on Apr 01, 2022 at 09:07 PM · View previous versions

Apr 01, 2022 at 09:14 AM

tuxbailey
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400, is it time to retire & replace?

Alan Kefauver wrote:
In my experience, The V2 was a major improvement over the V1 EF 100-400, and the RF 100-500 is a major step up from there. Haven't used the RF 100-400.

When I say that the RF 100-500 is a major step up, note that I was using the EF 100-400 V2 on a 5D4, and the RF 100-500 on a R5.

Is the RF 100-500 a major improvement because of size and operation or is it optically much better than the V2?

I am personally thinking about the RF 100-400 for my R6.

Apr 01, 2022 at 09:24 AM

TeamSpeed
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400, is it time to retire & replace?

From reviews I have read, the lens is lighter, a bit shorter, and goes to 500mm without need of an extender. RF extenders are also more expensive than the EF counterparts.

I use the 100-400II with 2xIII often, and my R6 has no issues with it, and results are pretty good, and really good with the 1.4xIII though...

Price check:
100-500 + RF 1.4x = $3400 (close to the price of an R5)
100-400 + EF 1.4xIII = $2800
Price delta = $600 for weight and size savings, with a "1.25 built in TC", and a tiny bit better IQ

One has to decide if that is worth it or not, and if one already has some of these EF components, then the price delta is even more to switch, approaching $1000.

Apr 01, 2022 at 09:32 AM

Z250SA
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · beloved 10+ year old EF 100-400, is it time to retire & replace?

I have a bunch of ZE lenses. Of these I use mostly the 21 and the 28 when I´m going light. The addition of the adapter has shifted the camera from "medium" to "large", especially with the 21. With the 40/2.8 STM even the 1DX was pocketable, slightly depending on the pocket of course. Not so with the adapter even on the RP. Too much 3D.

The R5+100-500 fits in my Peli 1450. The 5D4+1.4III+100-400 did not. Add the adapter to the R5... well there was my line. The R5+100-500 is really nice. But the RF100-400 would be a true gem. If it truly delivers.

I was a little annoyed when I found out that the sensor was placed much forward in the mirrorless than in the film or sensor in the DSLR. They had the chance to make really small cameras, but waisted it.

Apr 01, 2022 at 09:33 AM

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