100-400mm Tips

CumbrianCanary

CumbrianCanary

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I am hiring a 100-400mm from Lensforhire.co.uk for a trip to Scotland next week. This is my first try of using L glass and I am looking forward to it.

Anyone got any tips on how to get the best out of this lens? I will be using it on my 450d.

Thanks,
CC
 
Just keep an eye on your shutter speed and bump up your iso to keep it high enough to stop shake, other than that, snap away :)
 
Dont forget to turn the IS off if you are using a tripod..
 
Some useful tips there, thanks.

I expect I will be using the tripod for some of my shots so I'll turn the IS off (still don't fully understand why this is necessary!), but mostly handheld, so I guess I will be testing the ISO capabilities of my camera if the sun doesn't come out!!!
 
I'd imagine it needs to be stopped down a little to get the best from it too, especially at the longer end of the zoom range. At 400mm I wouldn't really go much below f7.1, unless you want to do a lot of PP when you get home.
 
Thanks Richard

I was thinking about that fact that this is a 10 year old lens now. Will Canon be looking at replacing or upgrading this anytime soon? Or is it a case of it 'aint broke so don't fix it?
 
CumbrianCanary said:
so I'll turn the IS off (still don't fully understand why this is necessary!),
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Hi

It's to do with the older design may act erraticaly if mounted on a tripod, where as the new generation (like your 55-250IS) have an automatic sensor that detects the use of a tripod - still advisable to switch it off though if not using for a while to help with battery saving. Some of the other IS lenses also have a 2 stage IS, the 2nd stage allowing panning, but still giving some IS in the other field (eg vertical) :thumbs:

Hope this helps and doesn't confuse even more. Have a good time in scotland and enjoy the lens, it's one of the ones i'm looking at :clap:
 
CumbrianCanary said:
Thanks Richard

I was thinking about that fact that this is a 10 year old lens now. Will Canon be looking at replacing or upgrading this anytime soon? Or is it a case of it 'aint broke so don't fix it?
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As long as its selling well then its good news for Canon as a product its just raking in money for them. I guess they have recovered all their production investment years ago.

However, it would be nice to see it upgraded with latest IS, and I guess if it was to be relaunched people would love to see a constant f4 version.
 
Thanks for the explanation Andy. That does make sense now.

I have trying to justify the expense of this lens for a while, so I thought the only way to try it out was to hire one, as I don't know anyone that has one I can borrow. My only fear it I will have to buy one the day I sent the hire one back!
 
I would guess with the upgraded IS and constant f4 would come with a significant price increase too :'(
 
Yes would agree with that

I'm in a similar boat, thinking about this lens, but more likely the 300 F4 IS Prime, keep putting off going and trying either, as I'm sure I'd end up buying one !!!
 
I'm not sure how a new design of this lens would improve much apart from maybe adding a bit more to the IS, but it does two stops, and it is really the first stop or two that are most useful. Optical technology hasn't moved much in the last ten years. If it was made internal zooming or constant f/4, it would be very long and very heavy (check out the Nikon 200-400 4 :eek: Fab lens though). Even later similar designs from other top manufacturers have not improved on it.

On the IS thing with a tripod, I use it on this lens. I think some others do too. Apparently it does drain the battery, but I've never found that to be a problem especially as I carry a spare. And sometimes it does seem to go a bit funny so I turn it off - it's easy enough to see when it gets upset. But when it works, ie mostly, it's really good especially on a tripod when chances are you have a longer shutter speed.

The key to sharp images with this lens are careful focus and minimal camera shake. When push comes to shove and you're faced with 1/250sec stopped down or 1/500sec wide open, go for the shutter speed. And IS on!

I only turn off the IS when it has a hissy fit, not just because I've got it on a tripod.
 
HoppyUK said:
I'm not sure how a new design of this lens would improve much apart from maybe adding a bit more to the IS, but it does two stops, and it is really the first stop or two that are most useful. Optical technology hasn't moved much in the last ten years. If it was made internal zooming or constant f/4, it would be very long and very heavy (check out the Nikon 200-400 4 :eek: Fab lens though). Even later similar designs from other top manufacturers have not improved on it.
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Making it heavy would take some of the appeal of this lens being suitable for hand held shot.

Thanks for the tips too, can’t wait to get out there and try it.
 
HoppyUK said:
I'm not sure how a new design of this lens would improve much apart from maybe adding a bit more to the IS, but it does two stops, and it is really the first stop or two that are most useful. Optical technology hasn't moved much in the last ten years. If it was made internal zooming or constant f/4, it would be very long and very heavy (check out the Nikon 200-400 4 :eek: Fab lens though). Even later similar designs from other top manufacturers have not improved on it.
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I'd agree 100% with this.

Plus, the nearest Nikon equivalent (AF 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 D ED VR) is a positive embarrassment by comparison. The Canon 100-400L is so far ahead of any of its competitors, I don't see any real incentive for Canon to do anything to it at present.
 
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