Opinions on Canon 400 L f5.6 ??

[windoze]

im just curious about opinions. how it compares to 100-400 L at 400 mm? sharpness? etc...

[Seamus]

im just curious about opinions. how it compares to 100-400 L at 400 mm? sharpness? etc...
http://luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/forgotten-400.shtml

This is a very favourable review.

Shay.

[cmr164]

http://luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/forgotten-400.shtml

This is a very favourable review.

Shay.
Prime 'L' kicks the optical quality butt of zoom everyday. It is what I am finding with my 500 f/4.0L but it is something that I was taught at an early age. Zooms compromise sharpness of focus to obtain range of focal length. It is what they do, end-of-story. An 'L' zoom is sometimes better than an inexpensive prime but even that is not a given.

[Andy]

im just curious about opinions. how it compares to 100-400 L at 400 mm? sharpness? etc...

www.pbase.com/zylen look at daniella's bird zooms, she shoots with that lens a lot, troy :D in fact, i met her last week at the palo alto baylands, and she got some great shots with the lens :thumb

[mercphoto]

im just curious about opinions. how it compares to 100-400 L at 400 mm? sharpness? etc...

The 400/5.6 is supposed to be a very nice lens. I have heard mixed reviews of the 100-400, from "great" to "average". It does have image stabilization, however.

Do you need fine detail (get the prime), or do you need IS or the flexibility of a zoom?

[John Mueller]

Troy,I have owned the 100-400 and have the 400.IMHO the 400 is a lot sharper.:thumb
No comparison.

[Steve Cavigliano]

Troy,

I have to agree with everything that's been posted here. If you can handle being limited to one focal length, the 400 F5.6L is one sweet lens. If you would feel more comfortable with a zoom, then the 100-400mm or Bigma, would be worth considering. As posters have mentioned, the 400mm L, at 400mm's, will kick the butt of any zoom. The problem with that is, you have to zoom out with your feet. Sometimes, that's not practical or doable.

Good luck,
Steve

[windoze]

thanx everybody for their replies!!! here is mi sitch... when i look at the photos i post with the 100-400 L almost all of them are at 400 mm. im thinking " why dont i get a 1.4 converter to go with my 70-200 f2.8 and get the 400 L." it just seems to me im not using the 100-300 part of the 100-400 L isnt that a waste????


troy


im just curious about opinions. how it compares to 100-400 L at 400 mm? sharpness? etc...

[Andy]

thanx everybody for their replies!!! here is mi sitch... when i look at the photos i post with the 100-400 L almost all of them are at 400 mm. im thinking " why dont i get a 1.4 converter to go with my 70-200 f2.8 and get the 400 L." it just seems to me im not using the 100-300 part of the 100-400 L isnt that a waste????


troy

:agree

[cmr164]

thanx everybody for their replies!!! here is mi sitch... when i look at the photos i post with the 100-400 L almost all of them are at 400 mm. im thinking " why dont i get a 1.4 converter to go with my 70-200 f2.8 and get the 400 L." it just seems to me im not using the 100-300 part of the 100-400 L isnt that a waste????


troy
The 100-400L IS was one of my most used lenses until I bought the 70-200 2.8L. Now I have sold it, bought the 1.4x, and bought the 500 f/4L IS. The 400 f/5.6L would have been the choice except for a *very* nice night of poker and the sale of the 85 f/1.2 and the 100-400L.

[windoze]

i wish i knew how to play poker? Crazy eights anyone???
thanx for the help..


troy


The 100-400L IS was one of my most used lenses until I bought the 70-200 2.8L. Now I have sold it, bought the 1.4x, and bought the 500 f/4L IS. The 400 f/5.6L would have been the choice except for a *very* nice night of poker and the sale of the 85 f/1.2 and the 100-400L.

[windoze]

ok i just ordered it!!! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_1_112.gif

But what do i tell my wife??


I could lie?? http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/15/15_8_206.gif

or I could beg for forgiveness?? http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_1_72.gif

Maybe Ill just do what I always do when i want something...

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_3_19.gif








im just curious about opinions. how it compares to 100-400 L at 400 mm? sharpness? etc...

[Andy]

i wish i knew how to play poker? Crazy eights anyone???
thanx for the help..


troy

here's a gallery of 400mm f/5.6 pics by daniella (http://www.pbase.com/zylen/rebel_xt&page=1) taken last week at the baylands.

[windoze]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_9_134.gif Ive wrestled with the idea long enough! I ordered it!

those pix from Daniella are gorgeous!










here's a gallery of 400mm f/5.6 pics by daniella (http://www.pbase.com/zylen/rebel_xt&page=1)taken last week at the baylands.

[mercphoto]

For those who use the 400/5.6L prime, does it focus quickly? Would it be a useful daytime sports lens where focus speed is critical?

[Andy]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_9_134.gif Ive wrestled with the idea long enough! I ordered it!

those pix from Daniella are gorgeous!

:nod

congrats. you'll love it. now you can sell the 100-400 here on dgrin!

[pathfinder]

here's a gallery of 400mm f/5.6 pics by daniella (http://www.pbase.com/zylen/rebel_xt&page=1) taken last week at the baylands.


I just looked through that gallery Andy, and her images are exquisite. And Very sharp. And the really neat thing is, after looking at almost all of them, I did not find ONE that was not shot at f5.6 - In other words, they were all captured with the lens shot wide open, and were this sharp. That speaks very, very good for this lens, and for Daniela's technique.

You're gonna love it Windoze!!! :thumb

[gus]

I just looked through that gallery Andy, and her images are exquisite. And Very sharp. And the really neat thing is, after looking at almost all of them, I did not find ONE that was not shot at f5.6 - In other words, they were all captured with the lens shot wide open, and were this sharp. That speaks very, very good for this lens, and for Daniela's technique.

You're gonna love it Windoze!!! :thumb
I have done a lot of reading re the 400 f5.6 also & one reviewer said that it shot the same at f/11 as it did at f/5.6 which was in his words...the sign of a well put together lens.

[luckyrwe]

I have the 400/5.6, even with a 1.4x it is sharper than my 70-200. it is true what they say about primes being the best!

[windoze]

which 70-200 do you have? Im starting to get excited http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_1_209.gif


I cant wait!!!
troy



I have the 400/5.6, even with a 1.4x it is sharper than my 70-200. it is true what they say about primes being the best!

[luckyrwe]

At the time I had the 70-200/2.8, I recently traded it up to the IS version. I still think the 400 is my sharpest lens! I love that it will AF with my 1.4x on it!

[OlgaJ]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_9_134.gif Ive wrestled with the idea long enough! I ordered it!

Troy, you will love it. I don't have the steadiest hand in the world but happened to get my hands on one, borrowed from a friend of mine. After half a dozen shots, I decided that I was going to buy it. When I told my friend, he offered me his for $825 and it's mine now. :D

Here are some samples with 100% crops:

http://yiayia.smugmug.com/gallery/453738

Olga

[luckyrwe]

Beautiful Pics!!!!!

[windoze]

i never got to mention to you Thanx and your birds are quite beautiful!!!


troy
Troy, you will love it. I don't have the steadiest hand in the world but happened to get my hands on one, borrowed from a friend of mine. After half a dozen shots, I decided that I was going to buy it. When I told my friend, he offered me his for $825 and it's mine now. :D

Here are some samples with 100% crops:

http://yiayia.smugmug.com/gallery/453738

Olga

[gluwater]

I can't wait to see the pictures you'll take with this lens Troy.
With all these wonderful reviews and stunning pictures from the 400mm f/5.6L, I have to ask, is the 400mm f/2.8L IS really worth the extra $5500? I know it will be better but will it really be $5500 better? Does anyone have one or know a gallery taken by one. Not like I would ever have that kind of money but I'm just curious.

Nick

P.S. Troy if this ever goes up for sale at T & A Photo I get first dibs http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/lol8.gif

[luckyrwe]

I canot hand hold the Canon 400/2.8. I can hand hold the Nikon 400/2.8 and used to own it, but for Canon I will go 300/2.8 or 500/4.

[Khaos]

13 pounds of lens. I think that puppy is more used on a tripod or monopod for sports. And yes, for 2.8 and IS, it's worth the extra money. Unfortunately it's more extra than I can afford. Plus I'd rather have the 500/f4 first.

[gildco]

Olga: your bird pics with the 400 mm are superb. I currently own a 70-200mm 2.8L and love it, but even with the 1.4 TC I can't get the reach I want. Hence, I, too, am looking at the Canon 400mm. Have you tried it with the 1.4 TC? I presume that would increase the f/stop up one, if it will even take it.

[quote=OlgaJ]Troy, you will love it. I don't have the steadiest hand in the world but happened to get my hands on one, borrowed from a friend of mine. After half a dozen shots, I decided that I was going to buy it. When I told my friend, he offered me his for $825 and it's mine now. :D

[Bob Bell]

Olga: your bird pics with the 400 mm are superb. I currently own a 70-200mm 2.8L and love it, but even with the 1.4 TC I can't get the reach I want. Hence, I, too, am looking at the Canon 400mm. Have you tried it with the 1.4 TC? I presume that would increase the f/stop up one, if it will even take it.

[quote=OlgaJ]Troy, you will love it. I don't have the steadiest hand in the world but happened to get my hands on one, borrowed from a friend of mine. After half a dozen shots, I decided that I was going to buy it. When I told my friend, he offered me his for $825 and it's mine now. :D

I take the majority of my bird shots with the 400/5.6. Probably averaging 400 shots a week with it over the last 3 months. Its a pretty nice lens.

[luckyrwe]

Hmmmm, the 300/2.8 is $3800, but if I sell my 400/5.6 I could really put a dent in that price. Hmmm me thinks selling it would be a good option.