Canon 100-400 question

Steve400 · 18-07-2007, 13:16

im thinking of saving up for this lens but ive a question about the push-pull zoom.

ive read reviews and some people mention about the pushpull zoom method blowing more dust unto the sensor.....is it bad or is it just if the zoom is constantly being changed?

thanks,
Steve

**stepheno** · 18-07-2007, 13:21

Tha amount of dust that gets onto my sensor is no better or worse than when using the 100-400. It is not an issue to me.

Steve400 · 18-07-2007, 13:41

thats what i wanted to hear, woud you recommend the lens stephen?

Thanks

***Dave*** · 18-07-2007, 13:55

Some reviews here for you Steve :- http://www.pixalo.com/reviews/showpr...oduct/80/cat/5

john crossley · 18-07-2007, 15:48

I've got one and I think it is an excellent lens. But it depends on what you use it for. If all your shots are at the 400 end maybe the 400 f5.6 might be a better choice. Like everything else its down to personal preference.

***Steve*** · 18-07-2007, 17:02

There are many happy users of this lens.

I have used this lens on several days out and personally couldn't get along with the push pull system, so much so that I decided against buying one for myself. The lens itself, the quality, size, weight, IS system etc were beyond question though, so if the zoom system is one you can use happily, then it comes highly recommended and there is very little out there that comes close.

What I am trying to say is, if possible try before you buy as it is a lot of money to spend on a lens that you might not be comfortable with.

danpen · 18-07-2007, 18:08

I certainly don't have more dust issues with this than with any of my other lenses. I too found the push pull system annoying, until I'd used it for a couple of weeks. Now I quite like it, it's substantially quicker to zoom than my old 50-500mm that had the normal system and that's great when you're having to chage to the two extremes at short notice (I use it a lot when taking shots at sporting events 'cause you can really easily keep rezooming as an athlete runs towards you and get several cracks at it.)

cheers

Dan

**stepheno** · 18-07-2007, 19:55

To add to my first point - I love mine. It's everything Steve said and I took to the push/pull quickly. I too find it easier to focus with this and I use the full range.

gsgary · 18-07-2007, 20:24

Will you be shooting sport ? i would go for a 300F4 + 1.4x if it gets dull you still have 300F4 or save a bit more and get a second hand 300F2.8 like mine

John F · 18-07-2007, 21:16

I have been using the 100/400 for a couple of years now and I have never had a dust problem. At first I was dubious about the zoom but now I actually prefer it. When photographing birds in flight it is easier to locate the bird at 100mm and then quickly zoom to 400 mm. The white tailed eagle pictured below was taken with this zoom lens. I also purchased the 100 mm f5.6 prime lens and it quickly fell into disuse for two reasons: 1. I was missing shots at close range because the closest focusing distance is 11 feet which is not so good for butterflies, dragonflies and the like. The absense of IS meant that my hand held shots were not really any sharper. There is a small difference when the lens is used on a tripod.

monkeydave · 18-07-2007, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsgary

Will you be shooting sport ? i would go for a 300F4 + 1.4x if it gets dull you still have 300F4 or save a bit more and get a second hand 300F2.8 like mine

just what i use i recommend this

but all depends on what you will be shooting most of...

Steve400 · 19-07-2007, 13:03

i would hopefully have been shooting sport (rallying and cricket) and aircraft aswell as any other moving things!!

i had thought of the 300mm f4L but im not sure i can justify having it aswell as the 70-200 f4L. if i had the 100-400 range i wouldnt need the 70-200mm. there is the 28-300mm f3/5 which would be nice but its a tad more expensive.

thanks for all the replies!

Steve

**Sonsey** · 19-07-2007, 15:39

Hi Steve, I can only agree with the comments about the 100-400L IS above, I absolutely love mine!.

If you don't think you'll need/want the IS then a lens I'd recommend would be the Sigma 100-300 f/4, add a 1.4x converter and it'll give you all the range you want with great quality to boot, it's a big beast though!. (The "1st watch" pic in my gallery was taken with it)

If however you do think you'd want the IS (I like to shoot handheld so couldn't do without it) then the 100-400L is pretty much the best way to go if you want the extra focal range all in one lens.

p.s. If your ever down round the Bangor way then your very welcome to call in and have a play with mine.

danpen · 19-07-2007, 16:00

I had the 70-200mm and planned to keep it and the 100-400mm. Recently sold on Ebay (for £50.00 less than I paid for it 3 years ago).

The 70-200 is slightly longer and slightly heavier, it's a great lens but the flexibility of the 100-400 means I never took the 70-200 out.

cheers

Dan

***Dave*** · 19-07-2007, 18:44

Does this help ? (EU / UK) - Is this a good price ? (But It Now)

18-07-2007, 13:16	#1 (permalink)
Steve400 Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kells, N.Ireland Posts: 831	Canon 100-400 question im thinking of saving up for this lens but ive a question about the push-pull zoom. ive read reviews and some people mention about the pushpull zoom method blowing more dust unto the sensor.....is it bad or is it just if the zoom is constantly being changed? thanks, Steve

18-07-2007, 13:21	#2 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,844	Re: Canon 100-400 question Tha amount of dust that gets onto my sensor is no better or worse than when using the 100-400. It is not an issue to me.

18-07-2007, 13:41	#3 (permalink)
Steve400 Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kells, N.Ireland Posts: 831	Re: Canon 100-400 question thats what i wanted to hear, woud you recommend the lens stephen? Thanks

18-07-2007, 13:55	#4 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 15,622	Re: Canon 100-400 question Some reviews here for you Steve :- http://www.pixalo.com/reviews/showpr...oduct/80/cat/5

18-07-2007, 15:48	#5 (permalink)
john crossley Getting Comfy Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wakefield Posts: 240	Re: Canon 100-400 question I've got one and I think it is an excellent lens. But it depends on what you use it for. If all your shots are at the 400 end maybe the 400 f5.6 might be a better choice. Like everything else its down to personal preference.

18-07-2007, 17:02	#6 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 16,487	Re: Canon 100-400 question There are many happy users of this lens. I have used this lens on several days out and personally couldn't get along with the push pull system, so much so that I decided against buying one for myself. The lens itself, the quality, size, weight, IS system etc were beyond question though, so if the zoom system is one you can use happily, then it comes highly recommended and there is very little out there that comes close. What I am trying to say is, if possible try before you buy as it is a lot of money to spend on a lens that you might not be comfortable with. __________________ .......__o .......\<, ....( )/ ( )

18-07-2007, 18:08	#7 (permalink)
danpen Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 875	Re: Canon 100-400 question I certainly don't have more dust issues with this than with any of my other lenses. I too found the push pull system annoying, until I'd used it for a couple of weeks. Now I quite like it, it's substantially quicker to zoom than my old 50-500mm that had the normal system and that's great when you're having to chage to the two extremes at short notice (I use it a lot when taking shots at sporting events 'cause you can really easily keep rezooming as an athlete runs towards you and get several cracks at it.) cheers Dan __________________ A mad keen photographer needs to get out into the world and work and make mistakes. - Sam Abell My Photos

18-07-2007, 19:55	#8 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,844	Re: Canon 100-400 question To add to my first point - I love mine. It's everything Steve said and I took to the push/pull quickly. I too find it easier to focus with this and I use the full range.

18-07-2007, 20:24	#9 (permalink)
gsgary Forum Regular Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chesterfield UK Posts: 829	Re: Canon 100-400 question Will you be shooting sport ? i would go for a 300F4 + 1.4x if it gets dull you still have 300F4 or save a bit more and get a second hand 300F2.8 like mine

18-07-2007, 21:16	#10 (permalink)
John F Been here a while Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southwell, Nottinghamshire Posts: 398	Re: Canon 100-400 question I have been using the 100/400 for a couple of years now and I have never had a dust problem. At first I was dubious about the zoom but now I actually prefer it. When photographing birds in flight it is easier to locate the bird at 100mm and then quickly zoom to 400 mm. The white tailed eagle pictured below was taken with this zoom lens. I also purchased the 100 mm f5.6 prime lens and it quickly fell into disuse for two reasons: 1. I was missing shots at close range because the closest focusing distance is 11 feet which is not so good for butterflies, dragonflies and the like. The absense of IS meant that my hand held shots were not really any sharper. There is a small difference when the lens is used on a tripod.

19-07-2007, 13:03	#12 (permalink)
Steve400 Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kells, N.Ireland Posts: 831	Re: Canon 100-400 question i would hopefully have been shooting sport (rallying and cricket) and aircraft aswell as any other moving things!! i had thought of the 300mm f4L but im not sure i can justify having it aswell as the 70-200 f4L. if i had the 100-400 range i wouldnt need the 70-200mm. there is the 28-300mm f3/5 which would be nice but its a tad more expensive. thanks for all the replies! Steve

19-07-2007, 15:39	#13 (permalink)
Sonsey Pixalo Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: N. Ireland Posts: 7,259	Re: Canon 100-400 question Hi Steve, I can only agree with the comments about the 100-400L IS above, I absolutely love mine!. If you don't think you'll need/want the IS then a lens I'd recommend would be the Sigma 100-300 f/4, add a 1.4x converter and it'll give you all the range you want with great quality to boot, it's a big beast though!. (The "1st watch" pic in my gallery was taken with it) If however you do think you'd want the IS (I like to shoot handheld so couldn't do without it) then the 100-400L is pretty much the best way to go if you want the extra focal range all in one lens. p.s. If your ever down round the Bangor way then your very welcome to call in and have a play with mine. __________________ Regards, Iain.

19-07-2007, 16:00	#14 (permalink)
danpen Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 875	Re: Canon 100-400 question I had the 70-200mm and planned to keep it and the 100-400mm. Recently sold on Ebay (for £50.00 less than I paid for it 3 years ago). The 70-200 is slightly longer and slightly heavier, it's a great lens but the flexibility of the 100-400 means I never took the 70-200 out. cheers Dan

19-07-2007, 18:44	#15 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 15,622	Re: Canon 100-400 question Does this help ? (EU / UK) - Is this a good price ? (But It Now)