Oooh Todd I made the mistake of renting one for a day it is such a versatile lens: 300 f2.8 IS , 420 f4 IS, 600 f5.6 IS in one! Such versatility makes it great for wildlife, BIF, sports, even portraits etc etc.
What I really needed it for though is catwalk fashion shows goin' on all year in Milan. It's a KILLER lens for that, and a money maker! lighting is usually cr*p so you need the f2.8. It separates the model from the bg really well and the focal length is perfect IMO. Even though it's a fixed lens...no worry, the models are walking straight towards you...they zoom for ya
If I had the 300 f2.8 I KNOW I can make the magazine pay twice what they're currently paying! Renting it all the time is not an option - too expensive in Italy G. Todd Kalif wrote:
Great images, Nello. Tack sharp and with great color. I have a situation and a question. I'm teetering on the brink of buying a 300 f2.8 for my sports shooting--given these shots, the main advantage I see to the 300 is the f2.8 for night games. What else in impelling you to search for a 300?
Thx Rob i'm really happy right now Rob Tillyer wrote:
Very nice Nello. Looks like you 've got some glass you can enjoy. I really like the first three.
Thx Hung You can bet you'll see more. Can't wait to go out again! Hungtran10 wrote:
congrats nello. these shots are fantastic. looks like you are off to a great start with your new toy. can't wait to see more shots.
- hung
Sam I kinda' get the feeling that is not goin' to work Sam tran wrote:
Try this Nello: Take several shots of Gucci bags with your new lens, then Photoshop them with different color, shape or form (landscape, portrait), etc... whatever , and print pictures then post it int her closet, hopefully it will wear down her lust for the bag , OR it might be back-fire on you, your choice dude! I am jealous like hell
Congrats, Nello! You sure got a sharp copy which coupled with good hands is the perfect recipe for great shots. This is definitely one of you best posts I've seen, with some fine detail. As far as I can tell it is not the kind of sharpness that you get by pushing the sharpness slider in PS, it is a clean sharpness that cames from well exposed, clean shots and a nice piece of glass. Well done. You also gave an excellent demonstration of the ability of the lens (and the photog as well) to get some great IF shots. The Pheasant shot is awesome, but the whole set is great. I don't use my 1-400mm that much because I just love the 300, but I've never thought for one minute to sell it. I'm keeping it. I guess you too.
Socrate
Tony Imagemaster wrote:
Great shots, Nello. Welcome to the "you can't get a sharp shot with the soft 100-400" club.
Tony
Thx Nathan! I think PP can also make a huge difference. having said that these were sharpened only in Canon's DPP at +4.
Levels and all in CS3 and then a bit of Noise Ninja. Nathan Hobbs wrote:
its a great lens your going to love it.
I think your copy is exceptional, I got great results with it, but your shots are just WOW
Thx Bruce that's my fav. shot too B Benson wrote:
Looks like you got a great copy. Congrates Nello, Love the pheasant. Bruce
Lil I really do like the push-pull. Sometimes I get confused between the grip ring in front and the focus ring which is right next to it, but i'm sure i'll get over it in a few days Lil Judd wrote:
Great shots Nello - -
looks like you got that lens nailed already. I miss push/pull zooms. They're so convenient.
Congratulations on your new toy
Lil
I think the prime is just as sharp if not sharper and faster focusing too! it's just that I can't live without the IS John Nieves wrote:
These are sharp!. I like # 1 for the subject. But the detail in the second picture is incredible. How do think it would compare to the 400 5.6?
Nello, buy her the Gucci bag and get the 500mm seems like a great compromise to me. Great job with the 100-400mm I tried Anthony's 1-4 last week, seems like a nice lens.
You have a great eye Socrate you're right, I only sharpen these to 3-4 in DPP that's it; and could actually do without sharpening sometimes (like the sparrow shots).
I was used to the 70-300 IS which at the long end needed a lot more sharpening.
Like you, I know i'll never sell this lens...I might add others but won't sell it
Ok now Valentino Rossi's gonna race..just a warm up for tonight's game!
Mamma mia che paura Shasoc wrote:
Congrats, Nello! You sure got a sharp copy which coupled with good hands is the perfect recipe for great shots. This is definitely one of you best posts I've seen, with some fine detail. As far as I can tell it is not the kind of sharpness that you get by pushing the sharpness slider in PS, it is a clean sharpness that cames from well exposed, clean shots and a nice piece of glass. Well done. You also gave an excellent demonstration of the ability of the lens (and the photog as well) to get some great IF shots. The Pheasant shot is awesome, but the whole set is great. I don't use my 1-400mm that much because I just love the 300, but I've never thought for one minute to sell it. I'm keeping it. I guess you too.
Socrate
it is such a versatile lens: 300 f2.8 IS , 420 f4 IS, 600 f5.6 IS in one! Such versatility makes it great for wildlife, BIF, sports, even portraits etc etc.
i'm really happy right now 
Sam I kinda' get the feeling that is not goin' to work 
you're right, I only sharpen these to 3-4 in DPP that's it; and could actually do without sharpening sometimes (like the sparrow shots). 