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Topic: Canon 100-400 L IS--Hit or miss? (Read 15479 times)
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olyduck
Junior Member
Posts: 18
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I'm an advanced amateur looking for a wildlife zoom to go with a Canon 40D. I already have an EF USM 100-300, but it is a little on the short side for birds. I am strongly considering the Canon 100-400 L IS.
I have read numerous posts around the web about "good copies and bad copies" of this lens and am still in a little shock that a Canon L lens would even have a a kind of hit or miss reputation (especially at $1400!).
1. Is the "bad copy issue" just related to very early production?
2. If so, assuming I am buying a new lens from a reputable dealer, how can I be sure that I am getting a recently produced lens?
3. If the current 100-400 quality really is still hit or miss, what would be a reasonable (and better) alternative lens to cover about the same range?
Thanks,
Loyal, yet a little parnoid, Canon fan
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Bob Atkins
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Did you read my recent review? http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/ef_100_400_l_is_review.htmlI had tested one 10 years ago and this new one seemed to be better. I guess over a 10 year production run they figure out how to improve QC. The 100-400IS is a lens that's in reasonable demand. A new one from Amazon, Adorama etc. will be "fresh", I'm certain of that. There is no better alternative to the 100-400IS. There's nothing sharper that covers that range. |
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olyduck
Junior Member
Posts: 18
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Thanks Bob. I really appreciate your input.
-Dave
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leomodica
Newbie
Posts: 1
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Bob I am having focus problems with my 100-400L IS lens. It's about two years old and I brought new from B&H. I use the center focus point all the time and shoot in well lit conditions use fast shutter speeds. I am using a Rebel XT. Of late I've been having tremendous problems with auto-focus. Most, and sometimes all, of my shots are out of focus. Things look in focus through the view finder. When I test it against a sign with black lettering on white background, the focus is fine. The shots I am having problems with most is shooting birds with the background sky. Does the lens need to be recalibrated by Canon? I recently bought the 500mm/F4 IS lens and the shots I am taking with the 500 (Rebel XT) are very sharp. So, I really think it the 100-400, not the Rebel XT or my technique. Any advice? Leo Modica http://www.pbase.com/leomodica |
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