Canon 100 – 400mm L IS USM

[munsterman28]

January 25, 2011 at 10:04 am

Hi

I do lots of wildlife photography and some sports stuff. I have two lenses on my wish list the Canon 100 to 400mm and the Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS USM.

What are peoples experience with the 100 to 400mm. I have got a decent price on one and am thinking of taking the plunge. It gives me fabulous reach but not as fast as the 70- 200. However with the 70 -200 I would need to add a convertor in some cases for both sports and willife which would lose me a stop or two. At this time I think the 100 to 400 would suit my needs better.

Any thoughts on the 100 to 400mm? Anybody have problems with dust with it?

Thanks

[brownie]

January 25, 2011 at 12:28 pm

I have both lenses and as you say the 70-200 f2.8 is definately faster but on
bright sunny days the 100-400 is a great lens for sports and wildlife photography
and its only 4 months ago that I purchased a 300mm f2.8.
I do a lot of sports now and I found the limitation of speed at night matches
very limiting with the 100-400 but other than that I had no problems.
They say alright that dust can be pulled into the camera with this lens
but again to be honest I have it for 4 years now and dont see any more dust
than is usual on the sensor. If you can get it but also if your budget stretches
you should try for the 70-200 as well. Its a super lens and one that is pin sharp
and super responsive. Enjoy whatever you purchase and you wont regret it.

Noel.

[munsterman28]

January 25, 2011 at 3:29 pm

Hi Noel,

Thanks for the reply. I had a look at your website. Any of the nature or sports shots taken with the 100 to 400mm?

[paul]

January 25, 2011 at 6:14 pm

The 100-400mm lens is a lovely one. I’ve never had any issues with dust in it. I have the lens about 5 years.

I don’t use the lens that much. It’s great when you have plenty of light, and good for wildlife, with it’s reach. The lens is not up to it for floodlit sport though.

I have many lenses (70-200mm f/2.8, 300mm f/2.8, 100-400mm, etc). I would use the 100-400mm lens for wildlife, since I know I’ll only be shooting that during daylight. The others I would use for floodlit sports events.

[brownie]

January 25, 2011 at 7:53 pm

Most of the bird shots plus about 70% of the sports shot on my site were taken with the
100-400 simply because I only got the 300 f2.8 a few months ago…it was my main lens at
the soccer international’s in Croke Park upto this year but as I said it was just not fast
enough to get the shutter speeds I needed. On saying that I still got shots that made
the papers down here so all in all if you can pick up one at a good price…just go for it.

Noel.