Ken Lucke wrote:
> In article <>, change username to rnclark
> <> wrote:
>
>>Ken Lucke wrote:
>>
>>>You're both right - the current model is a 70-300 with IS, but there
>>>ALSO is a 75-300 with IS. I own it. Selling it soon, actually, and
>>>buying a 100-400 L (with IS, of course) to replace it.
>>
>>Why? Do you really think it will be that much better?
>>Look at Canon's MTF charts. The 100-400 is not all that sharp.
>
> Sharp enough on the left side of the chart for me (I'm using an 1.6x
> sensor camera [XTi]).
Of course your lens should outlast your camera body, and in a couple
of years when the full frame sensor is under $1,000 you may think
differently
>>I have 75-300 (non IS), 100-300 IS, 100-400 L IS, and
>>find them OK, but not great. In place of the 100-400 L
>>I use a 300 f/4 L IS, and even with a 1.4x TC, and find
>>it sharper than my 100-400 at 400. It is also lighter
>>and costs less.
>
> Having taken pictures with both on the same camera, yes I _know_ it
> will be better. I always rent L series lenses I am in the process of
> evaluating for purchase before I buy them - saves heartache in the long
> run. I've rented enough that my rental place doesn't even charge me
> the normal $1000.00 deposit any more :^).
>
> The main reasons I'm switching are the weatherproofing and the Mode 2
> IS, which works better with panning shots than the original IS that's
> on the older 75-300 IS USM II.
100-400 L IS weatherproof? It seems to pump air quite well
with zooming (and it also pumps dust). There is a Bill
Hilton thread here about a test with an XTi and a 100-400 adding dust
to the sensor.
> Also, I really hate stacking glass, so
> I try to use a teleconverter very seldom. I've never taken a good
> picture with a teleconverter - yes, I know others have, it's just not
> _my_ experience.
I can understand that. I had the same experience before switching
to fixed focal length lenses.
> I might try renting your combo, though, just to give
> it a try. Which TC are you using, the older series I or the newer
> series II? (my rental place only has the older series I TC's)
I use Kenko pro 300 TCs. This is one example of the 300 m+ 1.4x TC:
http://www.clarkvision.com/galleries...962.b-700.html
> I have a cunning plan (as Baldrick would often say to Blackadder) - the
> 100-400 will stopgap me until I can pick up a couple more long prime
> L's (400, 600) and the 75-300 DO, which I've found is actually as good
> or better than most L series glass, IMO*. The 100-400 will retain
> enough resale value that I will get my mileage out of it and still be
> able to resell it on eBay for a pretty good percentage of what I will
> pay for it. I can turn around and resink that into the newer lenses
> when I am ready to do so (middle of next summer).
I went through a similar sequence. In my opinion, the route through
the 100-400 was a mistake. But if your really interested in a used
one, I'll might sell mine (contact me off list). Its hardly used.
These were done with then 100-400:
http://www.clarkvision.com/galleries...baby.goat.html
(click the next button 3 time for a total of 4 images).
In my opinion, the 100-400 makes fine 8x10s (not super sharp,
but OK). The 300 f/4 L makes 16x20s. Remember, the XTi has spatial
resolution in the focal plane higher than ISO 50 slide film
(Velvia) pushing sharpness requirements to a high level.
So my advice is skip the 100-400, but if you insist, buy
used, so when you sell, you at least come close to breaking
even.
> (*) yes, I've looked at the MTF charts there, too - the falloff on the
> short end doesn't bother me, as I normally have the 24-105L on the
> camera anyway as my "walkaround lens" to cover the lower end of that
> range. At the 300 end of the range, it's pretty flat, actually
> starting to improve towards 20mm (although at this time I don't need
> that, when I move up to the 1Ds Mark II [or whatever is top-o-the-line
> at the time by next summer] it will become more so).
My 100-400 has sat unused for a couple of years once being replaced
by the 300 f/4 L IS. Even with my 500 f/4 L IS, the 300 still
travels with me (I use it on a second body often).
Roger