400mm lens for Canon 400D

redwing210 · #1 (**permalink**) 19-11-2007, 08:50 PM

Am thinking about stepping up to a 400mm lens with image stabaliation, any rcomendations. My camera is Canon 400D, budget for lens is £1000 max.

Redwing.

Brocker · #2 (**permalink**) 19-11-2007, 08:57 PM

Hi Redwing210,
When I stepped up from a 300mm lens, I tried many makes. I have to say that in the end I settled for a Canon EF100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS USM lens. I managed to purchase one on THAT auction site for £750.00. It had a full 3 year warranty and I have to say, I have never looked back. It is fantastic and with the IS it is great for that impromtu hand held or low light shot. Well worth the money in my book....

Deer Hunter · #3 (**permalink**) 19-11-2007, 08:59 PM

Canon 100-400mm use one now on a 40D before that on a 20D - Brilliant Lens.
Now being put out at around 1000 notes plus you get 70 back from Canon in their cash back if you buy before 31st December

redwing210 · #4 (**permalink**) 19-11-2007, 09:11 PM

Cheers, this is the lens I have been looking at, suppose will have to bite the bullet and splash the cash!

Brocker · #5 (**permalink**) 19-11-2007, 09:17 PM

Go for it and good luck.....

matt_xyz · #6 (**permalink**) 19-11-2007, 10:00 PM

there aren't many 400mm lenses with IS in Canon fit, I think you're either looking at the Canon 100-400 as others have recommended, or the Sigma 80-400 OS. Of the two I think the Canon is better.

Your best non-IS option would be a Canon 400mm f5.6 prime, which is what I went for.

Matt

redwing210 · #7 (**permalink**) 19-11-2007, 10:06 PM

Thanks Matt, I have not yet used a lens with IS, are there any outlets that let you try before you buy?

matt_xyz · #8 (**permalink**) 19-11-2007, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redwing210

Thanks Matt, I have not yet used a lens with IS, are there any outlets that let you try before you buy?

yes, most decent camera shops should let you do this, whether it's part of a big chain like Jessops or a smaller independent store.

Matt

Chris_Johnstone · #9 (**permalink**) 20-11-2007, 04:33 PM

I can also recommend the 100-400. It's a big heavy lens, but what 400mm isn't? You have the advantage of the zoom if you need and it's L glass with IS and USM. Kerso sells them for around £840 plus if you ask nicely he can knock off some more. That, plus your Canon cashback is a good deal.

Chris

dunlin · #10 (**permalink**) 20-11-2007, 08:22 PM

Hi redwing i have sent you a private message let me no on here if you have received it or not. I am still trying to get my head around how to use the wab site.....speak to you soon

colincurry · #11 (**permalink**) 20-11-2007, 08:57 PM

I too have the 100-400 and think it is great. I like the reach and flexibility. I can often get good insect shots at 100 or more when it would not be practicable to use a micro lense.

Colin

PS I went Scottish for mine

JeffH · #12 (**permalink**) 20-11-2007, 09:36 PM

I'm another Canon 100 - 400 user and, as others have said, it's a fine lens. I particularly appreciate its flexibility, especially for hide work where the shooting distance can be anything from 2 metres upwards with a definite need for a zoom facility to cope with the varying shooting distances. Splash the cash - you won't regret it

Jeff

Hobjob · #13 (**permalink**) 21-11-2007, 05:16 PM

Another vote for the 100-400 pump from a happy user.

Flexibility of zoom is soooo much better than prime.
Often find myself zooming to find subject and
zooming out again - with the pump this is simple
with the push-pull.

Words · #14 (**permalink**) 25-11-2007, 11:43 AM

Another thumbs up here! Got my 100-400 in the summer and love it.

Jon · #15 (**permalink**) 25-11-2007, 12:42 PM

I have ahd a Canon 100-400L IS for a couple of years now - it transformed my photography. Buy one you won't regret it - guaranteed
Jon

beckiscott · #16 (**permalink**) 25-11-2007, 04:27 PM

ive had the canon 100-400 since easter.
Sometimes i wish it was lighter, sometimes i wish it was f4 at 400mm and sometimes i wish it was sharper at 400mm.
But the alternatives were way more expensive or didn't have the flexibility of a 100-400 zoom. there are times when a 400mm prime would have missed the shot.
It gets me good shots, but i'm still learning how to use it best.
I have thought at times 'i cant believe i spent a £1k and cant get a sharp shot' feeling but im a bit more settled with it and i dont regret getting it.

matt_xyz · #17 (**permalink**) 25-11-2007, 04:38 PM

the 100-400 is clearly a far more versatile lens than my 400mm prime, but the prime is lighter and definitely sharper. When you get a shot just right it's so sharp you could cut yourself on it.

But it is a bit of a specialist lens, well suited for bird photography.

For someone after more of an 'all rounder' I would recommend the 100-400.

Matt

Words · #18 (**permalink**) 25-11-2007, 07:01 PM

Becki, I have to agree with you that there's a definite learning curve here. I'm certainly getting shots I've not managed with anything else, and I am beginning to get the sharpness up so I suspect that with this lens using it pays off! And at the price it had better

I'm certainly happy with what I am getting handheld, but imagine a tripod would up things a notch. Although it's generally at just under full zoom, I do use the whole range fairly regularly.

Brocker · #19 (**permalink**) 25-11-2007, 07:17 PM

I am glad you said that Becky. I thought it might be me. I have trouble getting a pin sharp focus at 400mm but all I do is draw it back 20mm and use the crop on Photoshop to get closer and that seems to do the trick. Apart from that though it is a superb lens and has changed the face of my photography and was worth the investment.

redwing210 · #20 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 01:11 PM

I briefly tried the Canon 400 lens in a certain high street camera shop, and was very impressed with it. The assistant said I would need to fix a battery grip to balance the weight and also said it was not ideal for hand holding, and as you know wildlife does not always stand in front of your tripod any thoughts...

Redwing

matt_xyz · #21 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redwing210

I briefly tried the Canon 400 lens in a certain high street camera shop, and was very impressed with it. The assistant said I would need to fix a battery grip to balance the weight and also said it was not ideal for hand holding, and as you know wildlife does not always stand in front of your tripod any thoughts...

Redwing

I assume you tried the 100-400 IS lens? If so, you may find that the weight is more balanced with a battery grip, but this is by no means essential. As for handholding, well no 400mm lens is 'ideal' for handholding, but of the 400mm lenses available the IS makes this lens the most ideal to handhold. You should soon get used to handholding it and would soon master taking sharp shots handheld.

Bear in mind that I take probably 75% of my shots handheld and I'm using the 400mm prime without IS. With IS the 100-400 should cope well in all but the dimmest of lights. That said, a tripod will still tend to get slightly sharper shots. So if the use of a tripod is practical then use one, but if not handholding should give good results.

Matt

rs250man · #22 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 05:00 PM

Mmm whats the difference between a 90-300mm and a 100-400mm this may sound like a daft question but i am very interested..

Boddie · #23 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs250man

Mmm whats the difference between a 90-300mm and a 100-400mm this may sound like a daft question but i am very interested..

110 mm I'd say, or 11 cm

eeyore · #24 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boddie

110 mm I'd say, or 11 cm

ROFL - slightly more usefully, 50mm on a fullframe slr is generally regarded to be life size or x1 magnification, therefore a 300mm lens will roughly equate to a 6x zoom , 400mm to a 8x zoom, and 500mm to a 10x zoom. This isnt absolutely true due to optical rules which i cant be bothered to go into but it is good enouggh to provide a guide.

Brocker · #25 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redwing210

I briefly tried the Canon 400 lens in a certain high street camera shop, and was very impressed with it. The assistant said I would need to fix a battery grip to balance the weight and also said it was not ideal for hand holding, and as you know wildlife does not always stand in front of your tripod any thoughts...

Redwing

Hi Redwing,
The 100-400mm is a heavy lens but I hand hold it 90% of the time with great results. The other 10% of the time I use a monopod. This is usually when just sitting for periods of time. Either way, you get used to dealing with the weight issue. If you do use a monopod there would not necessarily be any need to buy a battery grip for balance.