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I am planning on upgrading my T3i to the 7D and this lens is at the top of my list of ones to purchase. I do a lot of birds and nature work and was wondering how well this performs on the 7D, as well as how well the autofocusing works, particularly the Servo.
Any input will be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance.
It performs really well. The 7D's AF is excellent, although the 5DIII and 1-series bodies are a bit better. For birds/wildlife, the 7D + 100-400mm is a great combo. Here's an example of focus tracking by the 7D+100-400:
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3342/5...bfb9f893_z.jpg
EOS 7D, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM @ 400mm, 1/1600 s, f/6.3, ISO 1600
He took off from the bare tree in the blurred background, and AI Servo tracked him for about 16 shots at 8 fps, with probably 2 OOF shots in the series.
Most (but not all) of the images in the Birds set on Flickr are with the 7D + 100-400mm (relevant EXIF details are in the descriptions).
Hope that helps...
Wow. that's incredible. Now, to save up. First comes the 15-85mm so I can bundle the kit lens with my T3i when I sell it, then the 7D, and finally the 100-400mm.
Also, checked out your shots, they are fantastic, I especially love the "Birds Eye View" and the Cedar Waxwing.
That looks like a winning combo to me!
Same here. I have been using my 55-250mm, but I have felt the need for more, I think this will do it. Here are some of my shots with that lens, nothing quite like as good as that Red Winged Blackbird, but it's all I got hahaQuote:
Originally Posted by Richard Lane
http://i.minus.com/iREBa8oBhFGEP.jpg
http://i.minus.com/icySBcznKJMdi.jpg
http://i.minus.com/ib273hhtpXDACp.jpg
http://i.minus.com/ibbRLV9Z65hYOB.jpg
http://i.minus.com/ibyx3j0kKwa0Wg.jpg
Dave,
I'm really digging the 2nd and 4th one, nice work!
You also may want to try a portrait/vertical crop for the first one.
Rich
The reason it's cropped like that is because it's my desktop background right now, but I think I have a cropped one lying around, let me check. And much appreciated. The turkey I saw on a bikeride and I had my camera in my backpack so I snuck up on the guy. Got the shot just in time too, he flew off once he heard the shutter. And the one of the tern was very lucky, they are so fast and it was extremely hard trying to get an in focus shot of them, this guy hovered above me for a few moments allowing me to get him.
EDIT: Here's it cropped down, better?
http://i.minus.com/ibugRNNlIfOlNk.jpg
I like the vertical better for this pose, but now I think it's a bit over-cropped, so you're losing some resolution.
Perhaps just take away some dead space from the right side of the frame of the original, or try for a milder vertical crop.
I hope that helps! :)
I see what you're saying now, I will keep that in mind for future shots, I'm not going to recrop and keep cluttering this thread with the same shot over and over.
Hi David,
Welcome to the forums. I use the 7D and 100-400 L combo. I agree it works really well. Sometimes the AF isn't as fast as I would like, but it is still much faster than my other telephoto lens (an old 75-300).
A few recent pics from the combination:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7119/7...c31fd563_b.jpg
Loon-7326 by kayaker72, on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7116/7...86c6e054_b.jpg
HB-7412 by kayaker72, on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8303/8...922489ef_b.jpg
small-8036 by kayaker72, on Flickr
Thanks,
Brant
Welcome to the forums, David!
Let me start off by saying that turkey shot is awesome! Very sharp!
I've used the combo for awhile now and think it is the best combo for the money! I started out with the 300mm f/4L IS and a 1.4 extender but have been happier with the 100-400mm.
A vast majority of my bird shots on flickr were taken with the 7d and 100-400mm combo and can be seen here ...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dtrocio...7623646857233/
A few of my favs ...
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/6...ef3ed6ae_z.jpg
Snowy Owl by Denise Trocio ( www.dtrociophotography.com), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/6...220b6a2d_z.jpg
Killdeer by Denise Trocio ( www.dtrociophotography.com), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8014/7...e4421584_z.jpg
Bald_Eagle by Denise Trocio ( www.dtrociophotography.com), on Flickr
Denise, your snowy owl shot is stunning.
Thank you! It was the first (and only) snowy owl I had ever seen! I am hoping he will be back this winter!!Quote:
Originally Posted by ham
Those are phenomenal shots Denise, nice gallery as well. I cannot wait to get my combo of the 7D and 100-400mm now that I have seen what it can do.
Wow, I can't believe I missed this post---I do own and use a 7D with a 100-400 and it is my favorite combo when walking, hiking or just need a carry around rig. Like you, birds, wildlife and nature are my favorite subjects.Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidWare
That said, this combo is capable of very nice shots, but can also leave you frustrated at times. Learn to use the IS the lens offers----when the opportunity allows, use manual focus, shoot above 1/800th and use a tripod if you can. I don't know what you are used to but moving in to the super-tele range requires practice and patience---but.......this combo can produce some incredible shots: here are some that I am proud of:
http://rwilliamsimaging.com/img/s10/...24223741-4.jpg
http://rwilliamsimaging.com/img/s1/v6/p298360030-4.jpg
http://rwilliamsimaging.com/img/s11/...48350207-4.jpg
http://rwilliamsimaging.com/img/s10/...22325512-4.jpg
So as you can see from these shots and those that others have posted, this is a very capable combo---and highly recommended---Good luck.
Bob
Great shot's Bob, I especially like the second one. Is it a road runner? I only saw a few while I was out in Cali, so I'm not too sure. The others are great as well.