Best option

[mlino]

Hi all!


I

[btaylor]

I would suggest the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS. It

[Fast Glass]

The 100-400mm is one of the best aviation lenses out there, I'd get that.


John.

[mlino]

How about the lens design (push-pull) of the Canon EF 100-400mm? Some consideration?


I

[bob williams]

How about the lens design (push-pull) of the Canon EF 100-400mm? Some consideration?


I'm afraid buying this kind of lens due to some comments I read on Internet which this lens design can result in dust inside the lenses in long term.
<div style="CLEAR: both"]</div>

Milno, Welcome to TDP,


The 100-400 is on my camera about 99% of the time.I normally shoot outdoors and I have used it in rain, snow and heavy dust storms( I live in the southwest)and it has never failed me.There is no mold,dust or moistureon the inside that I can tell.I also bought mine from a rental agency used, so no telling how much abuse it went through with them. My lens is 4 years old now and I must say ---when I do my job, the lens does its job. The push/pull does take some getting use to, but once you do, you may find that you prefer it to the rotating zoom ring as I have. I can't think of a more versatile lens for inflight airplane shots. I did have to do some AF adjustmentt on it when attached to my 7D, but other than that, the lens has performed flawlessly.


Here are some shots for you to consider (Sorry to the other members who have seen these)

















Now, If you think you need the 400mm range, but are not sure about the "Zoom" then do consider the 400 F5.6L---It is a prime, has a little better IQ, is smaller and easier to handle, is cheaper and it has a reallynice lens hood design.


Good luck


Bob

[neuroanatomist]

Concur on the recommendations for the 100-400mm. No dust issues for me. It's a great lens! I think you'll find the push-pull design is faster than the ring zoom, which would make a difference at an air show where the subject distance changes very rapidly.


Here are a couple more examples, although not from the kind of 'air show' you mean...



[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dr_brain/5021065582/in/set-72157624462563459/lightbox/][/url]
EOS 7D, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6<span style="color: #ff0000;"]L IS USM @ 400mm, 1/1600 s, f/6.3, ISO 1000



[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dr_brain/4998567740/in/set-72157624462563459/lightbox/][/url]
EOS 7D, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6<span style="color: #ff0000;"]L IS USM @ 400mm, 1/1600 s, f/6.3, ISO 800


--John

[piiooo]

+1 on 100-400L. No dust after 3 years of moderate using. The push-pull takes time to get used to and looks funky, but that does not affect the IQ []

[nvitalephotography]

I agree with everyone else. the 100-400 is the clear choice. you need the versatility of the zoom and will find that the extra length over the other lenses you listed will be very useful in many situations. Its not the fastest lens but if you are shooting prop driven planes you will usually be using relatively slow shutter speeds to blur the prop. And as long as it is relatively light out it will still be fast enough to stop faster moving jets.


I also agree with the others in saying the push pull is fine(I was a bit skeptical about it myself before buying one) and have never had an issue with dust getting into mine.

[nvitalephotography]

here is an example of this lens for aviation photography. (not the worlds best example but the only one I have on this computer)


50d, 100-400mm @210mm 1/250th, f14, ISO-100


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/8/7801.5543.IMG_5F00_5F00_5F00_1182_5F00_5F00_5F00_e dit.jpg[/img]

[mlino]

I really liked those pictures from Canon 100-400mm posted here and this helped me decide buying this model. One more question....


I have been looking for Canon