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Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
from Nipomo, CA on 5/8/2008
Using the lens with a Canon 40D for wildlife shooting. Heavy, but well constructed and easy to use. Fast AF; my first hand-held bird shots came out clearer than earlier ones with a lesser lens on a tripod.
from sweden on 5/8/2008
Perfect with Canon 5D, really captures a lot in medium to far distance. Even though it is 5.6 at 400 mm it works good since the 5D does not distort at 1600 ASA. Love it.
Optically speaking this is a fine lens. I have mixed feelings about the slider zoom. It would be OK if it had cushions at both ends. As it is a loosened slider can slap back and forth on the lens. Tightening it while under fire sometimes requires three hands. Dear Canon: Hydraulic or elastic stops on both ends please.
from Melbourne, FL on 3/6/2008
Use it for wildlife photography. It is super zoom, and relatively light. It has IS. Wish it was a little faster.
This lense is worth carrying around the extra weight. It's fast, dead on focus. I had the 70-200 and wasn't very thrilled with it. I love the 100-400. For the money, it's the best one on the market, and it's an L lense! I'm happy with my purchase.
from Somewhere over North Carolina on 2/6/2008
Shooting air to air with this lens is fantastic. With the zoom range, 100-400, it is very easy to frame subject and the image stabilization brings it all together. Couldn't ask for a better lens. I have experienced no problems at all.
from Seria, Brunei on 1/22/2008
Great lens. An excellent telephoto that will never let you down... It is heavy and needs to be hold differently as per its focus ring design.
from Plano, TX on 1/21/2008
I shot quite a few photos with this new lens. Sharp image no doubt. Still trying to familiar myself with it. So far, I love what I have found.
It is a little heavy, but hey, it is a telephoto lens.
[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from ewa, hawaii on 11/1/2007
just starting out into photograpghy, lenses is great all around for getting close ups. pics are great for me.
from Los Angeles Area, CA on 9/28/2007
This is a great lens and use it 90% of the time at all the airshows I go. I love the versatility of it a great all around lens. Great quality. This is a replacement for the one that was stolen.
My wife (love that woman) got this lens for my BD in July and I absolutely love this lens. I own 4 other lens, however, I've not taken this lens of my 30D yet because I try to find excuses to use it for anything and everything. Amazing image sharpness and quality are the product of this lens. It was well worth every penny spent.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
I am just getting started in the photography profession and this lens is an ACE. I used to shoot the 2007 US OPEN of SURFING and was very impressed with the results. I know there are people with bigger lenses but this does the job perfectly!!!
This is the lens that convinced me that the Canon 5D was getting sharper more detailed shots than my EOS-1n with Kodachrome. It never ceases to delight when I get the images on my large screen hi def monitor. Amazing.
Only thing to watch, it can be used with Canon's 1.4 and 2x extenders, but you lose autofocus when you do that.
from Annapolis, MD on 7/21/2007
Great lens. Wasn't sure about about other reviews and the claims about being able to hand-hold the lens but the shots came out very good... really like the IS. Well worth the investment.
from Iceland on 7/10/2007
I bought it in USA last month, and I di not start to use it until I was back in Iceland last week, and I have´nt taken it off my camera since. I like it weary much and I have many lenses.
from Little Rock, AR on 7/10/2007
Sharpness, fast AF, Push/pull allows very quick subject framing. A very good lens for the price.
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from Hawaii on 7/10/2007
I think canon made this lens for me ^_^
from Omaha, NE on 7/10/2007
This lens is a lot heavier than I'm used to, but the quality of pictures I can get now is much better. Now that I have this lens I'm glad to have a zoom of such quality, but for the types of wildlife shots I'd really like to get, maybe I should have saved the cash and put it towards a long fixed focal length telephoto. Image stabilization works great and I've had far fewer blury images. Make sure you turn the IS off if you're taking long exposures.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
This is an excellent lens for the money. I am using this lens with a Canon Rebel XT. Recommend that you have tri-pod attachment for lens to support the lens not the camera when attached to the camera body. I usually shoot hand held or with mono pod. I would prefer a lens that would shoot better in lower lighting and I always want more zoom, but that comes with a much higher cost. Would recommend this lens to anyone who is shopping in this price bracket.
from Henderson, TN on 5/24/2007
I bought this lens as an upgrade to my existing telephoto and I couldn't be happier. I use it on my Canon 350D with excellant results. I've read that this lens is only good for shooting on bright, sunny days but I've found that this isn't true. If you bump up the ISO setting a bit, it works fine in most situations.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Johannesburg on 5/10/2007
I prevously had the Canon 100-300 IS USM but wasn't happy with the zoom (only 300mm). After looking at all the options eventually decided on the 100-400 and I am very pleased I did. The lens is fast and the pics are crisp and clear. Highly reccomended!
from Marathon., FL on 5/8/2007
A 1.2 would be nice but for the money this one can not be beat.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Richardson, TX on 5/8/2007
Great stabilization. I am using it on Rebel XTi along with a Canon Extender EF 1.4x II and was pleasantly surprised to find out that I was able to shoot a roadrunner hand held at f/8.0 at 1/30 sec. Too bad the auto focus doesn't work. In any case the lens is very clear and focusing is quite easy.
from Seattle on 3/29/2007
A great lens when you want the range it provides! It's a bit heavy though, so it takes planning to bring it along.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Central Jersey on 3/28/2007
As a seasoned professional making a complete transition from traditional to digital photography, I gravitated to Canon equipment primarily because of the excellent reputation of its lenses. I have not been disappointed, particularly with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS. Shooting sports photography or wildlife with this outstanding lens is a pleasure. Images are razor-sharp, whether shooting in JPEG or RAW. The image stabilization functions flawlessly. I would, however, recommend the use of a monopod; over time the weight of the lens will cause fatigue.
from Fort Worth, Texas on 3/26/2007
Much better than expected. The image stabilization allows great action photos. The weight is not that bad especially when one realizes that the optics create most of the weight.
At first, I was disappointed in the shots. Determined later that it was me - not the lens. It has a bit of a learning curve for sure. Long at 400mm and even with IS, takes some real good technique. Once I got a handle on it, I started getting some real sharp, nice captures.
Really, for the mm, nothing comes close.
I have been very impressed with this lens. I have used it mostly for nature and bird photography and have had excellent results. The zoom range is great, very accurate focusing even between blades of grass and the photos have been very sharp. I also found that I got use to the push and pull zoom right away (beings me back to the old FD days). I read lots of mixed reviews on this lens about being soft at full aperture and maximum zoom but from what I can see any softness so far has been due to the photographer. Its heavy, but still lighter than my medium format equipment.
This is a fantastic lens that I enjoy quite a bit. As others mention, it definitely gets attention when anyone sees it, so it lives up to its hype as the Ferrari of Lenses. This is really a great lens with only two faults. The first is that F/4 at 100 and F/5.6 creates darker pictures than I'd like on cloudy days, so you are forced to use a slower shutter speed or higher ISO which ruins the quality of the picture. The second is the IS becoming outdated compared to what Canon can do now (esp on the new 70-200 f/4 IS USM which does 4 stops versus this which only does 2). At the end of the day I have buyers remorse and am going to try to replace it with a 70-200 f/2.8 L IS USM with a 2.x teleconverter. Unfortunately the new lens is much heavier, but it is a faster lens that I think I'll be happier with overall. It's also $500 more when you get both the lens and TC, so it will be a tough pill to swallow. Lastly, I found the push/pull zoom to work quite well and had no dust issues. You won't be dissapointed with this lens if you shoot in good light and if I had the cash, I'd keep it plus get the 70-200.
from West Richland, WA on 3/6/2007
This is truly a very remarkable lens one in which I use more than any lens I have presently. With the two IS modes this lens allows you to pan or to capture stationery subjects that gives you a very sharp image and excellent color. The autofocus on this lens is very fast and accurate I don't think there is another lens out there that will perform as Canon.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from washington DC on 2/19/2007
thousands of great pictures, never let me down
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Pittsburgh PA on 2/14/2007
This lens has met and exceeded my expectations. A friend saw the quality of pictures I was getting with this lens and later purchased this lens. It does an excellent job of capturing a scene. Excellent quality optics and construction. Slides and digital photos come out razor sharp. The only downside of this lens is its' weight. To get good quality pictures I will put up with this. Overall, I am very satisfied with this lens, highly recommended.
from Washington State on 2/14/2007
This lens is awesome. The image stabilization is a big plus as in the Northwest there is often less than ideal lighting for outdoor protography. The stabilization allows me to use a little slower than usual shutter speed without sacrificing picture quality. I would recomend this unit to any user of the Canon EOS family of cameras from the Rebel XT on through the 5D.
from La Luz, New Mexico on 2/13/2007
I have used this lens mostly hand held photographing wildlife action under less than ideal conditions, I am amazed at the results. I also photograph distant landscapes using a tripod
as I have excellant views from my home, overlooking the White Sands of New Mexico. Sunset shots are spectatular, and performance of the lens is good at all settings. I enlarge to 16 X 20 for many pic's. I'm using a Canon 20d.
from Seattle on 2/13/2007
Use primarily for nature photography - great walk-about lens
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Knoxville, TN on 2/13/2007
This lens exceeded my expectations, which were quite high. For photographing small animals on the move, there is nothing like it. It is also exceptional for photographing from boats.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Victoria, Australia on 2/13/2007
Easier to use than a spotting scope with camera attachment.[...] Image stabilization works well. Consider the 70-200mm at f/2.8 for low light photos.
from Dallas, TX on 2/13/2007
Good lens. Quick focus and good IS
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from New York, NY on 2/13/2007
Simply the Best.
from Florida on 2/12/2007
this is a great lens and has transformed how i take pictures in the field. No tripod is needed and it gets sharp pictures in all conditions except low light. Also, it is well balanced and I can carry it for hours.
from Eureka, Montana on 2/12/2007
I really like this lens. Yes it is HEAVY but it works great and gets the pictures I want. Works will with a 500d close-up lens on the front.
from Santa Ana, Ca. on 2/12/2007
enjoyed using this lens at Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Rocky Mountain National Parks. Also good for getting in close at the zoo and wild animal parks so that they don't look so much like zoo pics... wish it had a larger f stop for better low light, but then it would have to be larger and weigh more, taking away some of the portability
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Yantkton, SD on 2/12/2007
I have been very happy with this lens. It is very sharp. I have taken the first bird pictures that I have really been happy with since I got htis lens.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Shawano, WI on 2/12/2007
I purchased for motorsports and also use it for bird photos. It's a little slow in low light but otherwise a very versatile lens.
from West Sussex, England on 2/12/2007
fantastic upgrade from Canon 100-300USM, which was good glass but my camera shake got the better of me. Options 0f 70-200, new 70-300is or 100-400L IS - Excellent results. Used on original digital rebel. Last outing, large equestrian event indoors at evening with variable lighting - results better than expected.
Very heavy but well balanced if used with hand grip. Still confused about IS while panning in portrait mode. All in all - excellent value and prompt brilliant service
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from ROCKFORD, IL on 2/12/2007
HAVE OWNED THIS WONDERFUL LENS FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I SHOOT LOTSA ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY: MOTOR RACING, WILDLIFE, ETC. NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT! FAST FOCUSING AND VERY SHARP GLASS. I SEE LOTS OF SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHERS ON TV WITH SAME LENS! VERY VERSATILE!
from Colorado Springs, CO on 2/12/2007
I spent two days at Arches National Park and this lens helped tremendously in capturing some great shots at sunset and sunrise. I made some of my best shots on the trip with this lens. I never go anmywhere to shoot without it now.
from San Carlos, CA on 2/8/2007
I have been getting excellent photos of birds with this lens and a Canon 20D. The high grade optics make for a heavy lens. The "shake correcting" function adds to the value of this product
from Montana on 2/8/2007
I am an avid macro photographer, so going telephoto was a leap for me. I considered the 70-300mm lens, and am now glad that I went with the larger 100-400 mm lens. I love the lens, and if I could afford it, I'd go with the f/2.8. It can be a little heavy, but is well worth it.
from Lompoc, CA on 2/7/2007
I purchased this lens primarily for wildlife photos. Overall, this lens is great and met most of my expectations. The only con would be the F5.6 setting at 400mm doesn’t allow enough light for early morning or late evening shots with the ISO setting I prefer.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from St. Petersburg,FL on 2/6/2007
Used it on digital still and video camera with excellent results
from Florida on 2/5/2007
The zoom is manually adjusted but a small thing for the quality you get for the investment. A+
from Summer Hill, IL on 2/5/2007
For the money it performs quite well.
from Provo UT on 2/5/2007
Heavy? Yep! With a lot of excellent glass.
A while back on an internet photo group a photograph was displayed of the moon. The photographer hand held a telephoto with IS. The image was okay but lacked striking detail. I decided to give it a try with the 100-400. The moon was out and the night was clear. I sat on a chair on the deck and clicked away...no tripod. The craters on the right side of the moon were clearly delineated. ISO 100 1/125 400mm
Exciting lens to use!!!!
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Peter Barbados WI on 2/5/2007
This lens more than met my expectations, my shots of yachting pictures are sharp The pictures are liked by my yachting friends,
Great Product highly recomended
from Tulsa, OK on 2/5/2007
I bought this lens to get some extra length for soccer and softball at an affordable price. I've had great results but I need a lot of sunshine since I'm either shooting at f5.6 and f6.3 - f6.3 is using 400mm. The zoom has been useful since I could be shooting U6 on a real small field one game and the U19 on a full size field the next game. The push-pull zoom doesn't bother me. You can use this hand held for a little while but a monopod is highly recommended.
The AF speed is very good - my 1dmk2n helps too - and the construction is solid. The plastic lens hood is a bit hokey to get on and off but I leave it on most of the time. I haven't used the IS so can't comment there. This is a good lens for the longer reach if you also need to zoom. I often setup for 350mm and leave it there.
from New Jersey on 2/5/2007
Great lens for the money!
from raleigh nc on 2/5/2007
white makes a big difference in keeping the camera cool in the sun. The glass is amazing when compared with standard zooms. The push pull design takes some getting used to but is much quicker to zoom back and forth. You have to be ready for a heavy lens, very large, shooting sports with a tripod is hard, The IS is very effective, you can get motion sick if you are not careful. Using IS can deplete the battery very quickly.
from Sarasota, FL on 2/5/2007
Use this lens for nature photography. Works very well with a monopod. Gives very sharp images.
from Singapore on 2/5/2007
Lightweight
Short in length
Image stabilizer allow me to shot without tripod even at 400mm focus
from Bloomfield, CT on 2/5/2007
Images are crisp when hand held. Lens moves after taking picture which feels strange, but does not effect image.
from Tucson, AZ on 2/5/2007
Focused great, stabilized great took great closeups
from Westminster, Md on 2/5/2007
This lens exceeded my expectations. I use it frequently for wildlife photography. The image stabilizer allows me to handhold and still get sharp images!
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Paradise, CA on 2/5/2007
I have used the lense extensively to photograph auto racing and the results are excellent. Most of the time I only use a monopod and the stabilization gives me tack sharp impages. I can hand hold this lense in good light and get great results even at 400mm.
from Kendallville, IN on 2/5/2007
I love this lens. The pictures are sharp and clear and the zoom range is great for nature photography. I love it. The only other lens I use anymore is a macro lens.
from oman on 2/5/2007
I don't have much to say that hasn't been said. When I shoot with this