Roger Cicala over at Lens rentals has had a chance to test the new 100-400 he says ...
"From a resolutions standpoint I wouldn't rush out to upgrade my old 100-400 IS L. The resolution difference is mostly in the corners at 400mm, and most of us are more interested in center and mid-field sharpness at that focal length."
http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2014/12/a-brief-400mm-comparison
Good news - unless you want the better IS and ring zoom, you don't need to rush out and replace the old version. It's not going to get you much in the way of improved IQ. Also, if you don't have one at all, you may find a 2nd hand bargain of the old version and not lose out on quality.
Bad news - it hasn't been improved as much as might have been hoped. I wonder how this will play out on the now (almost) confirmed 50mp sensors coming this year?
Cheers,
Colin
Moderators: richierich, ua900, PanAm_DC10, hOMSaR
RE: Canon 100-400 Good & Bad News
I am more than happy with my 9 year old 100-400. For the most part I have good luck even at the 300-400 range. No upgrade for me.
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- waketurbulence
- Posts: 1264
- Joined:
RE: Canon 100-400 Good & Bad News
This makes me slightly disappointed, but I am also looking at the Sigma 150-600mm Sport lens. If it has similar quality to the original 100-400, I may replace it with Sigma and get 200mm more reach.
-Matt
-Matt
RE: Canon 100-400 Good & Bad News
Seems a thorough review which Roger has not done yet finds it is better in every respect.
http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/896-canon100400f4556is2?start=2
The corner performance is particularly better which for aviation where we use the entire frame is most important.
The king is dead long live the king.
I think the improvement is quite noticeable from images of guys using the lens.
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1336661
If these images are showing "bad news" Colin then I would be hanging up my camera.
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1336672?b=2
[Edited 2014-12-19 17:47:10]
http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/896-canon100400f4556is2?start=2
The corner performance is particularly better which for aviation where we use the entire frame is most important.
The king is dead long live the king.
I think the improvement is quite noticeable from images of guys using the lens.
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1336661
If these images are showing "bad news" Colin then I would be hanging up my camera.
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1336672?b=2
[Edited 2014-12-19 17:47:10]
RE: Canon 100-400 Good & Bad News
Another report.
The most outstanding thing seems to be its wide open performance looks excellent.
In a similar vein to the rest of the version 2 lenses none need any stepping down for quality.
With the rumoured 50Mp sensor around the corner early next year at least the camera will be able to use the current generation of lenses effectively.
Something Nikon did not think about when they released the D800 having a camera which outresolved 95% of the lens line up and not to mention its AF issues.
With super hi Rez it focuses every weakness in your body/lens system into every frame.
Given how good the quality is in the glass and AF Canon appear to be in a good place to release a super res camera.
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1337020
The most outstanding thing seems to be its wide open performance looks excellent.
In a similar vein to the rest of the version 2 lenses none need any stepping down for quality.
With the rumoured 50Mp sensor around the corner early next year at least the camera will be able to use the current generation of lenses effectively.
Something Nikon did not think about when they released the D800 having a camera which outresolved 95% of the lens line up and not to mention its AF issues.
With super hi Rez it focuses every weakness in your body/lens system into every frame.
Given how good the quality is in the glass and AF Canon appear to be in a good place to release a super res camera.
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1337020
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- Silver1SWA
- Posts: 4787
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RE: Canon 100-400 Good & Bad News
| Quoting dehowie (Reply 4): Given how good the quality is in the glass and AF Canon appear to be in a good place to release a super res camera. |
They need to improve dynamic range in their sensors in order to really be set for a super res camera...if they want to capture the attention of landscape photographers, that is.
RE: Canon 100-400 Good & Bad News
I got my 100-400 new last year. When it works, the lens has been amazing (paired to my 6D). However, it has been giving me way too many issues. So far a new focus ring and focus assembly. Think a new Image Stabilizer is next. Currently have a 7 year old version as my loaner 
RE: Canon 100-400 Good & Bad News
| Quoting Silver1SWA (Reply 5): |
Isn't that why there are rumours they might start using Sony sensors?
RE: Canon 100-400 Good & Bad News
The Sony rumour regularly crops up. Seems unlikely to me ...
Why would Sony let their main competitor use them? Its the one advantage Sony has in the DSLR sector. I also wouldn't be surprised if Nikon has an arrangement with Sony preventing this.
Also Canon has developed their own on sensor AF techniques - doubt they would abandon this.
But stranger things have happened.
Cheers,
Colin
Why would Sony let their main competitor use them? Its the one advantage Sony has in the DSLR sector. I also wouldn't be surprised if Nikon has an arrangement with Sony preventing this.
Also Canon has developed their own on sensor AF techniques - doubt they would abandon this.
But stranger things have happened.
Cheers,
Colin
RE: Canon 100-400 Good & Bad News
given the majority of Canon's line up is specifically targeted at action work like sports and wildlife they already have the highest DR in the ISO range at 800 or greater.
If Nikon want to get a foothold back in the journalism/sports stakes they have to improve there Hi ISO DR.
On the 100-400 from real images the converter performance is outstanding which is backed up from the previous review.
This was something the 100-400 always struggled with.
With outstanding sharpness at 5.6 you have excellent room to stop down with the TC's.
With just how good the images are getting a 100-400 will be the hard part as they are selling out everywhere the moment they hit he ground.
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1336775/3
[Edited 2014-12-21 18:43:24]
If Nikon want to get a foothold back in the journalism/sports stakes they have to improve there Hi ISO DR.
On the 100-400 from real images the converter performance is outstanding which is backed up from the previous review.
This was something the 100-400 always struggled with.
With outstanding sharpness at 5.6 you have excellent room to stop down with the TC's.
With just how good the images are getting a 100-400 will be the hard part as they are selling out everywhere the moment they hit he ground.
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1336775/3
[Edited 2014-12-21 18:43:24]
RE: Canon 100-400 Good & Bad News
Some brilliant shots showing the performance with the 1.4.
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1337242?b=2
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1337242?b=2
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