Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras by Canon
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Digital camera reviews of Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Digital camera Review: A great zoom lens
Summary: 5 Stars
I have this lens now for about 2 weeks and can say it is on par with the other L glass I own. I took this on a cruise and took some great shots at 100mm and all the way out to 400mm as well and my pics were razor sharp just using the I.S.alone,(no tripod), yes this lens is big and heavy but the pictures this thing takes are worth the work out.Digital camera Review: A monster lens that zeros in on shots you never thought you would take
Summary: 5 Stars
I shoot with a canon 5d Mark ll and generally carry two lenses. This one and my Canon zoom 24-70 which stays on the camera most of the time. I am an amateur and was not sure what to expect with this 100-400. What I learned is it is powerful and takes great shots at a distance you would never get the same way from close up because the subject does not know you are shooting them, this includes people and wildlife. The first time you shoot either with this you will be hooked. The shots are amazing and only when you look at them later on your computer screen will see the unbelievable detail. The power of the zoom is simply amazing, then when you crop a photo (as large as 30 MB on the 5D) you can really get some amazing detail. If you let a friend shoot with it they just nod in disbelief, much like the same reaction I had when I first used it.
The other reviews are correct when they say it is heavy. It is built like a tank and after carrying it around your neck for a half a day you will feel it.
It's not hard to use, in AF or MF you will do great with it. Just remember that shooting something far away requires the camera be held very still which means a tripod or supporting it on a wall or sometimes a shoulder of a friend.The lens is versatile also, you can follow a bird in flight and with a little practice get some pretty sharp shots. I have taken some pretty amazing shots of butterflies in flight and coming in for a landing on flowers along trails that were amazing. Dragonflies resting, frogs in grass, squirrels high up in trees, black bears stripping shrubs of berries are shots you can get when owning this lens.
This lens will open many doors for any photographer, making all kinds of great shots possible. I highly recommend it to anyone who is serious about photography.
Digital camera Review: A must have telephoto lens!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have used this lens for some years now, and even though I own other L lenses including the 70-200mm f2.8 and the f4, I prefer to use this lens because it is more versatile. This lens produces images, wide open, throughout its zoom range that are comparable in sharpness and color to the 70-200mm f2.8 (which is as sharp as you can get in zoom lenses). What's more, this lens beats all other lenses when it comes to macro photography in the field. This lens has maximum magnification of 0.20 at 400mm. The images are so sharp that I can see pollen, tiny barbs and hair on insects while shooting handheld from 6 feet away. The background blur is superb. The only other lenses that I carry are the 24-70mm f2.8 and the 50mm f1.4.Digital camera Review: A quality lens you won't regret buying
Summary: 5 Stars
I made several upgrades to my camera equipment this summer and this was one of my best purchases. I waffled between this and the 400 prime but in the end decided I wanted the zoom capabilities. The photos I've taken with this are simply stunning. I shoot mainly wildlife and landscape photography and this lens delivers every single time.
Make no mistake, this is a BIG lens and it's fairly heavy. But, don't let that deter you in the last. I have lugged this around on all day hikes and for the picture quality I wouldn't think of not taking it. The auto focus is near silent. The Image Stabilization is incredible. At max zoom the photo's come out very sharp with no blur. It took me a few hours to get used to the push/pull zoom but I've found it's so much easier to hit just the target you want this way.
The only real downside I can think of is that it's a f4.5-5.6 lens, which isn't necessarily great for low light. But, I've taken a number of low light shots and frankly have been quite impressed.
This is not an inexpensive lens, but as many have said, you get exactly what you pay for. I wholeheartedly recommend this lens to anyone looking to upgrade to a top quality zoom lens. You will not be disappointed. Below are a few shots I made right after receiving the lens.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2867499590_f3c590f9a9.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/2825840175_fda696cfa5.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/2827703146_0bbd820336.jpg
Digital camera Review: A versatile lens with one drawback
Summary: 4 Stars
This lens is great! I took it backpacking in the wilderness and to Yellowstone for the classic bear, bison, teton pictures. The images are better than any I have taken previously. I am excited to blow some of these up!
The drawback: obviously you only have about 2 true f-stops to start with. Shooting in the dark is possible, but takes a little more finesse considering the lack of f-stops.
Seriously, otherwise this lens is worth the money and a must-have for all true wildlife photographers. I am hoping to take it to Africa next year. I can't wait to see what it can do there!