Just got my 100-400L

[Itheone]

After a week long wait, it finally arrived, used but you couldn't even tell, great shape and from a few indoor test shots, seems pretty sharp.


I had to tell somebody, my wife couldn't care less (because she doesn't know the price[:#]) and everybody else I know would look at me like I was speaking Turkish.


Now if only the weather was better so I can go out and shoot something.

[Colin]

shoot from the convenience and comfortof your car :D





Just remember to pull over first!

[40Doodle]

Congratulations and yes, you're among friends here
where you can talk about buying a $1200 lense without being called a
lunatic. At least I think you can![:D] With things like this (even with
my 40D purchase), I've found it is often better to just keep the price
to myself when asked by a non-camera buff. Most of times when I've
told them, the immediate response is something like "what....I could
buy a pocket xxxx for less than $100".


I would love to have the
100-400L in my lens arsenal, but finances preclude it at this point.
However, I will eventually get one too and it will be likely be a
refurb from Adorama, ect.


Very cool, I'm envious!


Rick

[Sinh Nhut Nguyen]

congratulation on the new lens, I think it's the most versatile lens for general wildlife photography. I hope you get a lot of nice images with this great lens.


When I told someone about how much one of my lenses cost, their immediate reponse is something like this "[*-)],[8-)]

[Itheone]

Here's a couple of shots from the backyard:


1) with 2X Extender ISO 800, f/11, 1/250s 800mm Manually focused:


Adjusted levels in RAW, no sharpening applied, no cropping.


/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.24.97/100_2D00_400test1.jpg





2) No extender, ISO400, f/5.6, 1/640s 400mm, Auto focus


Adjusted levels in RAW, no sharpening applied, no cropping.


/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.24.97/100_2D00_400test2.jpg

[Oren]

Seems to work just fine with the 2x extender. Pretty much damn sharp!

[clemmb]

Hand held or no?

[Itheone]

No, not handheld, had to use a tripod. It's pretty hard to hold it steady at 400mm (but doable) 800 is impossible. Plus at 800 I had to use Live view to focus, view finder gets pretty dark.

[Oren]

I'm wondering, what people were doing before live view? how would they focus manually in such a case? maybe they simply used a very high DOF?

[Colin]

/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.24.92/2009_2D00_01_2D00_11_5F00_BigMoonOver_5F00_0001_28 00_800x800_2900_.JPG


Manual focus on a 30D, 400mm f/5.6 with 2x converter, (800mm, 1/200s, f/16, ISO 400, minimal sharpening, cropped and downsized to 800x800 .... It's a little sharper pixel for pixel at 1600x1600, though the curves I applied to get the detail to pop were a little extreme, and I had to filter the color information a bit more to try to minimize the CA. Sure would appreciate an 800mm f/5.6, and a matching crane to wield it... Live View would have been nice too. Wouldn't have had to spent all that time wondering if it was sharper a little this way or that... :) But, yes, manual focus can still get us by....

[Oren]

Nice picture you've got there [H]


Just wondering, would it be possible to use the 100-400 IS along with the 2x extender handheld (thanks to the IS)?

[Colin]

Uh... I have no idea.[^o)]


I suppose, if you've got a lot of light. At 800mm, though, on a crop body, it's hard enough to just find what you want to take a picture of :)

[Oren]

Yeah I'll second that, but since you are with the 100-400 + 2x = 200-800, you start with 200, find your target and slowly zoom in.

[Mark Elberson]

<div>I just got mine too! Unfortunately the weather is keeping me inside as well so I've only been able to take a few shots around the house and through my patio door. I can't wait to properly break it in though! I'm really impressed with the images I've been able to obtain handheldwhile beingindoors all the way up to 400mm. I can already tell that it's going to take some time getting used to its 3lb weight though. It makes my 24-105 f/4L feel like a feather!</div>
<div>


Also, glad to see that many of you are having such great results with the 2x TC. It has inspired me to pick on up!
</div>

[Dann Thombs]

Great shots. I was tempted to get this one for a while, but opted for the 70-200 instead. I almost regret it now.

[Colin]

But, you don't reget it, do you?


The 70-200 is just so much fun!