p.1 #1 · Canon 400 f/4 DO IS ii image stabilization question
Hi all,
Long time lurker, first time poster. I just got a used copy of the Canon 400 f/4 DO IS ii to pair with my r5 ii. It's tack sharp and I'm already in love, but I'm noticing some quirks with the image stabilizer on mode 1. It seems to be quite jumpy/jerky at times, way more so than my EF 100-400 ii. Turning the stabilizer off and back on seems to reset it so it doesn't "float" so much but I can't help shake the feeling something might be off? I managed to get a video of the behavior inside (its quite jerky here, but I also noticed in the field it could sometimes be less jerky and more smooth but still very floaty). Any thoughts on the matter? Thanks in advance!
p.1 #2 · Canon 400 f/4 DO IS ii image stabilization question
Copy/paste didn't work for me either.
I have found that my DO II exhibits similar behavior, and my three close friends who all have the same lens with an R5m2 have similar issues. Now whether this is good or bad, I think it's "normal" by a simple vote of majority and not isolated to your lens. We shots tens of thousands of photos with it successfully across four cameras with four lenses, and it's all good.
p.1 #3 · Canon 400 f/4 DO IS ii image stabilization question
From what I remember canon released a firmware to fix the ‘IS jump’ a few years ago. It seemed to be more of an issue on the mirrorless cameras than the EF mount dslrs.
p.1 #4 · Canon 400 f/4 DO IS ii image stabilization question
Thanks, guys! That's super reassuring that you're also seeing the same thing and getting great shots.
And good catch on the firmware! I definitely would not have thought to check that. Looks like I am behind, I'll give it an update and see if that resolves it.
p.1 #5 · Canon 400 f/4 DO IS ii image stabilization question
an_also wrote:
From what I remember canon released a firmware to fix the ‘IS jump’ a few years ago. It seemed to be more of an issue on the mirrorless cameras than the EF mount dslrs.
Definitely didn't get rid of the problem but the lens works
p.1 #6 · Canon 400 f/4 DO IS ii image stabilization question
Mine is more if a wham bam, shutter then clunk. Then back to normal.. Doesn't happen often, but when it does it definitely gets my attention. Like in I stop, take a look at it and cross my fingers.. I usually give it a hug, tell it how much I love it. Then slowly put it back into action.. Seems to work.. haha
p.1 #7 · Canon 400 f/4 DO IS ii image stabilization question
gkinard1952 wrote:
Mine is more if a wham bam, shutter then clunk. Then back to normal.. Doesn't happen often, but when it does it definitely gets my attention. Like in I stop, take a look at it and cross my fingers.. I usually give it a hug, tell it how much I love it. Then slowly put it back into action.. Seems to work.. haha
Mine flakes out and completely messes up 2-3 shots during a set on my R7. It makes a "clunk" sound as the IS resets with the images being circularly warped as a result. Are you seeing something similar? Good to know I'm not the only one with quirks on this lens.
p.1 #8 · Canon 400 f/4 DO IS ii image stabilization question
chuck4242 wrote:
Mine flakes out and completely messes up 2-3 shots during a set on my R7. It makes a "clunk" sound as the IS resets with the images being circularly warped as a result. Are you seeing something similar? Good to know I'm not the only one with quirks on this lens.
p.1 #9 · Canon 400 f/4 DO IS ii image stabilization question
Interesting discussion. I've used my 400mm DO II lens for a number of years and I don't think I have ever experienced the jerkiness of IS described. I continue to use it with my R5 and R7 bodies... I just took it out and practiced with my R7 and not seeing any jerky or jumpy behavior in the viewfinder, with mode 1 engaged. Lens firmware is at 1.0.9.
I will say, however, that I have always felt like the lens IS is rather weak. There is certainly a difference between having the lens IS on versus turned off, but the lens IS has never seemed particularly effective to me... This has been true compared to lenses like the 100-500mm, and especially versus other super telephoto primes like the 500mm f/4 IS II that I owned for a number of years. I seem to remember reading in the past that other users felt like the lens IS was rather subtle or weak as well. Not sure if others here agree with that assessment or not.
Regardless, I still love the lens for what it does provide and use it frequently for bird and wildlife photography.
p.1 #12 · Canon 400 f/4 DO IS ii image stabilization question
chuck4242 wrote:
Mine flakes out and completely messes up 2-3 shots during a set on my R7. It makes a "clunk" sound as the IS resets with the images being circularly warped as a result. Are you seeing something similar? Good to know I'm not the only one with quirks on this lens.
I haven't seen that... yet. Sounds like it's just known to have some quirks on mirrorless cameras. That said I'm getting sharp shots handheld down to 1/30 second so it's not too bad! Thanks, all.
p.1 #14 · Canon 400 f/4 DO IS ii image stabilization question
americankestrel wrote:
I haven't seen that... yet. Sounds like it's just known to have some quirks on mirrorless cameras. That said I'm getting sharp shots handheld down to 1/30 second so it's not too bad! Thanks, all.
It's a quirky lens, but it's the perfect weight for me, and I love the results I get.
p.1 #16 · Canon 400 f/4 DO IS ii image stabilization question
The Canon 400 f/4 DO IS II is a gem! Keep it! Maybe try using a pencil eraser on the lens contacts for the camera body to clean them up. There may be some oxidation which is normal with age. I've used it on the R3, R5 II and R1 after my old DLSR kits were retired and it gave it new life like never before. Is it up to newer RF standards? I would guess not. But it is a must have lens.
p.1 #17 · Canon 400 f/4 DO IS ii image stabilization question
an_also wrote:
I’m still using it on a 1DX III and it happens once a year maybe. It could be more of an issue on R bodies that have ibis? But I’m just guessing here.
Old lenses with IS don't use in-body stabilization. Only if you see the (hand)+ symbol in the viewfinder you have both systems going at the same time. It's only RF lenses, and even there, not all.
p.1 #18 · Canon 400 f/4 DO IS ii image stabilization question
It's so lightweight it makes it a dream to track birds in flight! I was just photographing some kestrels the other day and tracking them with the DO was way easier than with the 600 f/4. Safe to say I think it's earned a permanent spot in my kit
p.1 #19 · Canon 400 f/4 DO IS ii image stabilization question
Like other here I still use mine all the time (mostly with the EF 1.4 V3 TC) with my R3 and R5 MK II. It is sharp as a tack, compact, easier to hand hold than my RF 400f2.8 or RF600 f4. I only wish Canon would make a new updated RF version that would be lighter and take the significantly improved RF TC’s, I would buy it in a second. Loaned it to a friend to take to Africa with his R5 MK II and he got amazing images.
p.1 #20 · Canon 400 f/4 DO IS ii image stabilization question
Dave_E wrote:
Like other here I still use mine all the time (mostly with the EF 1.4 V3 TC) with my R3 and R5 MK II. It is sharp as a tack, compact, easier to hand hold than my RF 400f2.8 or RF600 f4. I only wish Canon would make a new updated RF version that would be lighter and take the significantly improved RF TC’s, I would buy it in a second. Loaned it to a friend to take to Africa with his R5 MK II and he got amazing images.
Dave
If they updated this for the RF mount it would be an instant buy for me. I use it on an R7 so with the crop factor it's basically a 600/800/1200 combo with teleconverters. Perfect for handheld shooting.
