Canon 100-400 L IS first thoughts

^^Gord^^ · 30 Jun 2006 at 07:52

Just got mine, first bit of L glass for me.

WOW! The build quality is really good and it weighs a ton compared to my 70-300 IS USM it's replacing. The push pull zoom is going to take some getting use to and it's very stiff at the moment. The IS is a lot quieter as well and the focus speed is also a big step up.

Hopefully get some time at lunchtime to get some shots although true to form the weather is looking dodgy here (can't remember the last time I didn't shoot in overcast weather!).

EDIT: Typo

Raider · 30 Jun 2006 at 09:30

This is my next lens purchase, so i'll be interested to see how you get on with it!

SDK^ · 30 Jun 2006 at 09:35

The push/pull system is love or hate. I love it and much prefer it to twisting all day

^^Gord^^ · 30 Jun 2006 at 10:16

SDK^ said:
The push/pull system is love or hate. I love it and much prefer it to twisting all day

I think I should be able to adapt to it, the only issue I have at the moment is it's really stiff (no jokes!). I'm hoping after some use it will bed into a much smoother action.

The weather here is rapidly improving so I hope to get some shots this afternoon.

dod · 30 Jun 2006 at 10:29

SDK^ said:
The push/pull system is love or hate. I love it and much prefer it to twisting all day

Same here, haven't experience the issues with dust that some report either.

Gord, have you tried adjusting the smoothness collar?

webmonkeyuk · 30 Jun 2006 at 10:33

just keep an eye on the IS system has been known to be its major problem, mine failed twice and thats why i switched to the Sigma 80-400. good lens other than that

^^Gord^^ · 30 Jun 2006 at 10:51

dod said:
Gord, have you tried adjusting the smoothness collar?

I didn't know you could do that, guess this is RTFM moment?

antc · 30 Jun 2006 at 10:57

^^Gord^^ said:
I didn't know you could do that, guess this is RTFM moment?

lol, could be

this is a great lens and was my first L glass purchase, for me the push pull system is far better than twisting, it just feels so natural!

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 30 Jun 2006 at 11:17

There is a ring you twist to adjust the stiffness. teach you're self to always be aware of it. If you are shooting and you leave it on fully smooth and then walk way. The lens will shoot down extending its self and its a good way to start breaking it.

Well done no the purchase.

dod · 30 Jun 2006 at 11:30

Fstop11 said:
The lens will shoot down extending its self and its a good way to start breaking it.

It's a pity it didn't have some form of "damping" mechanism to prevent that. Been caught out a couple of times.

^^Gord^^ · 30 Jun 2006 at 11:50

Ah ha! Thanks guys.

rpstewart · 30 Jun 2006 at 13:08

Fstop11 said:
There is a ring you twist to adjust the stiffness. teach you're self to always be aware of it. If you are shooting and you leave it on fully smooth and then walk way. The lens will shoot down extending its self and its a good way to start breaking it.

Well done no the purchase.

Aye, there's nothing worse than lens droop

I've gotten into the habit of always tightening the ring when I zoom back out to move on etc.