Canon EF 400mm f5.6L

[Lomcovak]

Anyone using this lens for airshow photography ? If so I'd be interested in your opinions. It gets great reviews from wildlife photographers for having good IQ and fast AF, however no AF and at f5.6 probably doesn't work too well with extenders. I already have a 70-200mm so the 100-400mm is too much of an overlap and sadly i can't afford the 500mm prime which has IS.

[Malcolm]

Anyone using this lens for airshow photography ? If so I'd be interested in your opinions. It gets great reviews from wildlife photographers for having good IQ and fast AF, however no AF and at f5.6 probably doesn't work too well with extenders. I already have a 70-200mm so the 100-400mm is too much of an overlap and sadly i can't afford the 500mm prime which has IS.

I do.

It is a fantastic lens, not overly heavy, and ideal for away-day trips in hand luggage on Ryanair/SleasyJet, or marching miles up a Welsh/Swiss hillside. I leave mine on one camera body, and put the 70-200 zoom (sometimes with the 1.4 extender), on a second body. IMHO, the I/Q at 400mm is head and shoulders above that of the 100-400 zoom at 400mm. A monopod can help, though don't try and get one on an aeroplane - they get a bit grumpy about 2 foot long steel batons .

It will work with the 1.4x extender on the Canon 1 series bodies. Not sure about Canon 5 or 7. The 20/30/40/50/60/70 bodies can be fooled into working with extenders with a bit of sticky tape, but it's rarely needed on a 1.6x crop sensor.

[Lomcovak]

Malcolm, thanks that's very helpful, looks like this is the best option for me right now, obviously you don't miss the lack of IS then. And yes, hear what you say about monopods on airlines…….been there !!

[onemac]

When you think about it you need a shutter speed at least the same as the focal length (ie 1/400th sec) and when you apply the formula to include the distance then IS is really not required. It will autofocus with the 1.4mm extender on the 7D2 but may require microadjustment. I just love this lens (sold my 100-400 as I have the 70-200) and am happy increasing the ISO to get the correct aperture. Monopod advised

Al

[Lomcovak]

Yes good point about the IS, always good to hear that people who have used this lens actually don't miss it. Seems like a good companion to the 70~200. I have the EOS 70D so not sure if the AF works with the 1.4 extender with that body, as Malcolm suggests above I think there is solution to stick some of the contact pins down. Either way the lens sounds a good choice for me. Thanks

[Mark]

Quick question about the microadjustment...

I'm using a 7d with a 300mm f4 prime, but images seem a little soft with the 1.4 convertor. Do I need to microadjust and if so, how is it done?

Regards

Mark