Canon 100-400 mm zoom reliability

Much has been written on this popular lens, but the experience of Arthur Morris, a Canon contract photographer, has me most concerned about a purchase. In the first chapter of his book on bird photography (viewable on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology site), he talks about his own experience with this lens, and says that, of the people he has contact with through his seminars and such, about one-half of owners have needed to send this lens back to Canon for repair.
I am wondering what is the experience of people on this forum who have owned this lens. I would appreciate hearing both good and bad tales. The lens has just a wonderful focal-length range for wildlife photography.
Thanks!
Edward1064

I have owned one for 5+ years now and it, also, has worked perfectly. I am a person that equipment has to do the job. In the course of that, it must endure whatever it needs to. Now, yes, this is an expensive lens and I do take pretty good care of it, but if it doesn't do what I want, why have it? That kind of serves on how I use my stuff. The lens has been stellar.
I used to have the 400mm f5.6 prime. I sold it to get the 100-400mm. My reasoning is this, most zoom lens' get used at the long end of their ranges far more than they do in small or middle ranges. I am no exception and find I am at 400mm most of the time. The advantage is that, maybe the few times, you want or need shorter focal lengths, it's there. Who buys a 100 mm f4.5 anyway? Nobody unless it comes attached to a 400mm zoom!
Some complain with the push-pull design but I have had no issues with mine. I can recommend it without hesitation.
EOS 1Ds Mk III, EOS 1D Mk IV EF 50mm f1.2 L, EF 24-70mm f2.8 L,
EF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS II, Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 EX APO
Photoshop CS6, ACR 8.7, Lightroom 5.7

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Which is the better lens for wildlife, sport action canon 70-200 is usm ii series L or Canon 100-400

Which would be a better for wildlife and sport action Canon 70-200 mm is usm ii serie L f/2.8 or Canon 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6?

On what camera? It makes a big difference depending upon whether you are using full frame or a crop camera.
Also depends upon the particular sports and type of wildlife most commonly involved, how much reach you might need. Outdoor, daytime sports vs indoor and nightime sports is another key factor.
On a crop camera a 70-200 is generally a lot more usable than it is on full frame, for sports and wildlife. An f2.8 lens and 70-200 might be ideal for indoor sports even with a crop camera. It also might be plenty for large game that can be pretty closely approacted. But for small and more shy wildlife, sports on a larger playing field, you'll more likely need the 100-400. But as an f4.5-5.6 lens that's going to be more of a daytime-only lens.
The 100-400mm is unusual in that it's a push/pull zoom. This can be particularly fast to use and makes the lens popular among photograhers shooting fast moving subjects such as birds in flight and air shows.
If you give serious consideration to the 70-200/2.8 IS II in combination with teleconverter EF 2X III, I'd suggest renting and trying them toghether first. The reason is that a stronger 2X teleconverter has more effect on image quality than a weaker TC. The specific combination of the 70-200 Mark II lens and the 2X Mark III TC is pretty darned good.... better than the combo earlier versions of each item. But whether or not it's up to your expectastions is a judgment call only you can make. So it might be wise to rent before you buy, just to be sure.
If instead you start to take a hard look at the 100-400mm, once again you might want to rent it and give it a try. Some people really like the push/pull zoom design. Some don't. (I'm one of the latter... but to be fair this is largely an old prejudice from trying to use that type of zoom in the past, long before IS. I always found push-pull zooms hard to get a steady shot with.... But the 100-400's IS goes a long way toward solving that problem.)
And those two really aren't your only choices.
Personally I use a pair of crop cameras (7D), most of the time one fitted with a 70-200, and the other fitted with a 300/4 IS, sometimes in combination with an EF 1.4X II teleconverter. Or, when I don't need to be mobile and can set up a tripod, I'll use a 300/2.8 IS, both by itself and with EF 1.4X II or 2X II teleconverters.
Another possibility is two lower cost lenses... such as a 70-200/4 IS in combination with a third party lens such as the Sigma 120-400 OS or 150-500 OS. Those lenses are considerably less expensive than the 70-200/2.8 II and the 100-400, respectively. You might be able to afford both and still find they meet your needs very well.
I use the 70-200/4 IS, as well as a copy of the first version of the 70-200/2.8 IS, and they are excellent lenses too. No doubt about it, the 70-200/2.8 IS Mark II is top of the heap and exceptionally good... but rest assured those other 70-200s are no slouches.
If using a full frame camera, for large field sports and more distant, smaller wildlife.... better start saving up. You're going to need one or two of the super telephotos, such as the new EF 200-400/4L IS 1.4X that I'm saving up for!
p.s. By the way, if not already doing so you might want to try Back Button Focusing. It's a very popular technique among sports/action and wildlife photographers. I've been using it for years for virtually everything I shoot, and can't imagine using any other method now.
Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif., USA
"Walk softly and carry a big lens."
GEAR: 5DII, 7D(x2), 50D(x3), some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
FLICKR & PRINTROOM

Canon 100-400 mm serie L

Does canon make a 100-400 mm serie L lens that, does not push or pull for the distance to get the at 400 mmm?
I love my 70-200 mmm that twist distance, does 100-400 mm serie L come that too or is it just push and pull model?

The "push/pull" Canon 100-400mm is not right or wrong. It is just different. You may like it or not. But I would suggest you try it first. I find it an easy to use lens and I use it on nearly every wedding I photograph.
The EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 L is another candidate you might consider if you don't go for the push/pull.
EOS 1Ds Mk III, EOS 1D Mk IV EF 50mm f1.2 L, EF 24-70mm f2.8 L,
EF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS II, Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 EX APO
Photoshop CS6, ACR 8.7, Lightroom 5.7

Canon 70-200mm lens with a Canon Extender EF 2X III versus Canon 100-400mm lens

Which is better for astrophotography,
a Canon 70-200mm lens with a Canon Extender EF 2X III or Canon 100-400mm lens

JMR66 wrote:
Which is better for astrophotography,
a Canon 70-200mm lens with a Canon Extender EF 2X III or Canon 100-400mm lens
If you refer to Canon 70-200mm 2.8L IS II USM + Extender 2x III, then you'd get f/5.6 all over the focal length range vs. the EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS USM (meaning you'll get a bit more of light at the short telephoto end when using the 100-400)
Both combinations are very sharp, but I think the 100-400 is a bit sharper when compared to 70-200 2.8L II + extender 2x III, noticeable if you use full frame DSLRs.
If you use APS-C DSLRs, then I'd suggest going for the 70-200 2.8L IS II USM because you'll get more than 1 f-stops of light if you shoot from 70 to 200mm (without the Extender 2x III) compared to the 100-400, and the sharpness is really amazing (better than 100-400 in both Full Frame and APS-C cameras)
Regards
HD Cam Team
Group of photographers and filmmakers using Canon cameras for serious purposes.
www.hdcamteam.com | www.twitter.com/HDCamTeam | www.facebook.com/HDCamTeam

I am currently deciding between the 100-400 L f 4.5- 5.6, 400mm f 5.6 prime and the 300mm f4 lenses.

I currently have a 70-200l f4 lense and would like to purchase an additional lense which would provide me with more reach. I am considering the three I mentioned above, but am favoring the 300mm f4 prime at this time. I would appreciate any feedback that anyone could provide on these lenses or any other recommendations.
Thanks!
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Don't know if you're still following your post but I'll give my 2 cents. I don't have any primes other than a 50mm. Do I think primes are better in IQ? I'd bet my life on it! Do I think that a prime will always get the best shot? Don't think so! I am of limited photo backpack space and limited funds and photos are not my career. Under these circumstances, I cannot afford nor justify primes. I believe it is more important to get the shot, rather than risk loosing it due to focal length and/or lens selection issues. I have the 100-400, hate the push/pull but for the money I love the optics and live with the design. It's a super sharp lens for what it costs to buy - especially now that the replacement is out. I say if you're under limited budget or space, get the zoom, I am pretty sure you would not regret it.

When will 100-400 II lens profile be available?

I'm a beginner in LR, and I just bought a Canon 100-400L II.
I'm surprised that lens correction profile isn't available (btw I'm even more suprised that Canon did not release the in-camera correction for my 5D3)
Did I miss anything?
Is a manual profile available somewhere?
Thank you

The lens was released after the last LR update. EOS Utility v3.1.0b. lists it. I can only presume that it would show in 5d mkiii, as I would need a lens to confirm it.

When I print to Canon 100 Pro using Photoshop elements 12 for Mac, do not get true color as when I print straight from photo

When I print using Macbook and Adobe Elements 12 on Canon 100Pro, do not get true color. When I download a photo and print from the download, I get true color. Where do I start to fix issue? It appears to be a Photoshow issue rather than Macbook or Canon 100 Pro.

Please post Photoshop Elements related queries over at
http://forums.adobe.com/community/photoshop_elements

I have a T3i (600d) and a L series 100-400 F4.5 , will a 1.4 extender be manual focus only

I have a 600D that I use a f4.5 L series 100-400 on. If I buy a extender 1.4x ii, can I assume manual focus only? I had read that a firmware update may change that.....
Thanks

It will be MF & don't expect a firmware upgrade that changes that.
"A skill is developed through constant practice with a passion to improve, not bought."

I just bought the 100-400 IS II. The lens hood mounted correctly but will not come off.

I just bought the 100-400 IS II through Amazon. The hood clicked in place nicely, but will not come off. Yes, I am pushing the button. I hate to send it back. Any suggestions?

Try turning the lens gently, at the base of the lens, clockwise, to loosen the pressure...when pushing the release button. I assume you mean the lens won't turn, when you push the release button..

Canon EF 400/5.6 Lens Profile

My copy of LR4 does not have a profile for the Canon EF 400/5.6. There is one for the EF 400/4 IS DO and the EF 400/2.8 IS, but not for the 400/5.6. Does that mean that this lens doesn't need any corrections or just that nobody bothers?

If you download the free Lens Profile Creater from Adobe Labs, it comes with a Lens Profile Downloader where you can download user-created profiles. You can get it here: http://labs.adobe.com/downloads/lensprofile_creator.html
There are currently several profiles for the 400/5.6 with and without a Teleconverter available.
All lenses need corrections...

Canon Optura 400

My macbook pro won't recognize my canon optura 400. I am using a fire wire cable. Any suggestions? Is there a driver I need?

Post the steps that you are attempting. What software are you using to try to recognize the camera while it is connected via firewire?

Canon IXUS 400 / Powershot S400

Does the camera connector support the Canon IXUS 400 / Powershot S400?
I bought a camera connector, and when I try to Photo Import, my Ipod shows just a blank screen.
Please advise. Thanks!

I have occasional problems with my ixus 700. iPhoto sometimes (quite often) crashes just at the end of importing photos.
Also, canon names their cameras differently in the states. I think you'll find this is your camera: http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=SupportDetailAct&fcategoryid=223 &modelid=8777
It's the Powershot s400

Canon Ixus 400 now crashes iPhoto 5

I used to be able to seemlessly plug in my Ixus 400 Canon and iPhoto opened and imported the photos. Since version 5 all sorts of problems have occured: sometimes the camera isn't seen at all; when it is recognised it crashes after a couple of pictures. I have tried using ImageCapture - this works - eventually, after lots of plugging in camera, restarts etc and at least lets me get the files out.
Mostly though I have having to resort to mounting the camera card and importing them that way.
Any one else similar experience? Canon web site appears to have no help at all (US site doesn't even know the camera name!).

I have occasional problems with my ixus 700. iPhoto sometimes (quite often) crashes just at the end of importing photos.
Also, canon names their cameras differently in the states. I think you'll find this is your camera: http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=SupportDetailAct&fcategoryid=223 &modelid=8777
It's the Powershot s400

Eos utility for 70D and new 100-400 ver2

Is there a way I can get this new lens into the "register lens aberration correction data" box?
thanks

You need to use the EOS Lens Registration Uitilty. Look in the Canon Utilities folder.
John Hoffman
Conway, NH
1D Mark IV, Rebel T5i, Pixma PRO-100, MX472

Do you see weirdness in this PSD at 100%, 50%, 25% zoom?

While looking into something for another thread here, I ended up making an image that looks entirely different at several different Photoshop zoom levels. I saved it and can reproduce the strangeness even in a new Photoshop session... I wonder if you see it too...
http://Noel.ProDigitalSoftware.com/ForumPosts/Weird.psd
Note that no texture is selected for the Bevel and Emboss effect.
Photoshop CS5 12.0.4 on Windows 7 x64 Ultimate; everything up to date and otherwise solid and stable.
Here's what I did to create this beast:
New document, transparent, 2400 x 2400 pixels, 16 bits/channel
Draw circular ellipse path the full size of the document.
Shrink the path to 70% with Free Transform.
Stroke the path with a hard brush, medium gray color.
Layer - Layer Style, Bevel & Emboss, Chisel Hard.
Filter - Blur - Radial Blur, Spin.
Something's definitely wrong with the Chisel Hard Bevel.
-Noel

Well i tried the same steps you did in photoshop 6 except i merged the layer with the brush stroke and effects with a new blank layer below to flatten the effects and here's the outcome, strange isn't it.
25% view
100% view

Canon 100-400 mm zoom reliability

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