As photographers, there are a lot of different products out there. This includes all the different cameras and styles from 35mm film cameras to digital cameras. And within those two major categories there are countless choices. People often have more than one camera because they are designed to serve different purposes.

Images are kind of soft at 400mm on EF 100-400 L lenses - This is the raw Photo

People who take their photography seriously, such as experienced amateurs and professionals, end up with a single reflex lens camera. Some What that basically means is that the lenses are removable. They either purchase a 35mm single lens reflex camera, a digital single lens reflex camera, or both.

Single reflex lens cameras have a distinct advantage over other types of cameras because they allow the user a lot more control. This includes the ultimate control over the type of lens that one can use. Each lens serves different purposes and has different features. For example, a macro lens is used to take close-up shots of small items, such as a coin or petals on a flower.

The Canon EF 100-400L F4.5-5.6 USM is one such lens that tries to stand apart from the rest on the market. This lens boasts many important features, including the fact that it is a telephoto lens and has IS or image stabilization. Here is more information and a review of that lens.

Canon EF 100-400L F4.5-5.6 USM Product Description

In short, this lens is what is known as a telephoto zoom lens. It also has a feature called Image Stabilizer. The Canon EF 100-400L F4.5-5.6 USM IS is an L-Series lens made by Canon for the SLR cameras. It is durable, sturdy, and has a score of features that photographers find helpful.

Wheatear taken on a EF 100-400 L - Post processed in PhotoShop

When it comes to lenses, you want to know that the lens you purchase is well made and has an element of durability. There are some lenses out there that are extremely touchy and any little mishap could result in the lens being completely unusable.

Thankfully, with the Canon EF 100-400L, this is not the case. It is a well made and well designed lens and appears to be made of a very durable metal. It also features a plastic lens cap that will protect it while it is not in use, weighs a convenient three pounds (not a heavy lens to carry around), and has a soft carrying case.

Though the carrying case and the weight may not seem significant at first glance, they truly are amongst those conveniences that one may take for granted. This lens excels with sports photography and with anything else that is fast moving. That means that you will be on the move as well. The soft carrying case also adds to this convenience because their hard cases of the past (some of the other lenses in the L-series) proved to be extremely inconvenient.

There are a few neat things about this lens. The first is that the zoom has the ability to lock into place quite easily and is of a push-pull style. This feature is nice because if a lens zoom is poor, it can be frustrating to compose the shot and take accurate photos. The downside of this feature is that it may be easy to trap dirt in the lens through the push-pull mechanism. The lens also has what is known as internal focusing, which means that the length is always constant and does not rotate. This is also a helpful feature when it comes to taking photos.

Lens Performance

The Canon EF 100-400L F4.5-5.6 USM lens overall creates a very sharp image and is designed to work with Canon SLR cameras such as their 30D. People seem to use them for different types of shots, but one of the most popular is that it is a good sports photography lens. No matter which sport you want the lens for, whether it is football, baseball, basketball, etc, this lens will capture what you want with amazing clarity. This is one of the challenges with sports photography in that the wrong lens will make the image look blurry and out of focus.

It is also a great lens for action photography in general. Just as sports photography requires a lens with a great zoom and clarity despite a subject’s movement, action photography requires the same features. A bird in flight. A child running with a balloon. An airplane taking off. These are all shots that have the potential of looking sharp.

It is also a great lens for wildlife photography. With wildlife photography, you need to have the ability to zoom and lock in on a subject that may not be too close to you. Another necessity for wildlife photography is that the subject needs to be clear no matter if it is on the move or not. Sharp edges, excellent contrast between the colors… these are things that define a good nature shot. The Canon EF 100-400L delivers.

Keep in mind that it is also a versatile lens. It is good for any type of photography that requires clarity despite movement and whether or not the subject is far or not. It is not limited to sports, action, or even wildlife. In fact, it is quite versatile.

Here is a summary of all of its positive features:

• Image stabilization is a great feature, but should not replace your own skill.
• Lens focuses quickly on the subject to be photographed.
• Possesses excellent zoom range which is a benefit in many situations.
• Lens is built solidly, reducing the risk of damage.
• Versatility in terms of which types of shots it does well.
• Possesses optics that is well balanced and sharp.

Not everything about this lens is positive. A lot of these cons are highly subjective. Some features that some people feel are negative are also features that others like. Some feel that the lens is pricey for what it delivers. However, others feel as if the price is perfect. There are a few reports that the lens is difficult to set on a tripod because of the location of the screws and there are reports that the aperture is too slow. And although a lot of people love the push-pull zoom mechanism because it helps you lock onto a subject accurately and quickly, others do not agree and consider this to be a negative aspect of the lens. Bear in mind that many of these cons were reported by people who have had nothing but positive things to say about the lens and rave about how much they like it.

But despite some of the negative reports, overall, the Canon EF 100-400L F4.5-5.6 USM SLR lens with Image Stabilizing is a great lens to own. It produces a sharp image and focuses on the subject quickly and with clarity. These two features make it a good choice for action photography, wildlife photography, sports photography, and just about anything that requires a good zoom and a large amount of clarity, especially subjects that are in motion. In fact, the lens is praised for its general versatility. When searching for a lens, this is a great one to consider because it has so many features that enhance the quality of your photographs.

Write Comment
Name:
BBCode:
Comment: