[Avid]

Any opinions or experiences with this lens?

Is it better to get hte Zoom lens 100-400mm L IS instead?

[老叟]

both are superb,but $$$$$$$
EF400/t5.6L HK$8600
EF100-400/L IS HK$12000!!

[Avid]

Thank you 老叟!

I got the 200mm f/2.8 L, 300mm f/4 L IS, they both have excellent performances.

[genewch]

I haven't used the 400mm, so forgive me for not answering your question. I'm considering a tele lens for photographing in music recitals or rehearsals. Is a 200mm f2.8 or 300mm f4 suitable in the environment with large contrast in light? Will the focal length be too long? If it's too long, I'll consider a 135mm f2 with a 1.4x extender. This is an even more expensive choice than a 200mm. Also, can tele lenses substitute macro lenses in shooting butterflies or small creatures?

[Avid]

To qenewch,

I also got the 135mm f/2 L lens, it is also a superb prime lens. But I haven't tried it for photographing in music recitals or rehearsals.
I mainly use the tele lens for birds photography. I tried to use the 200mm f/2.8 witha 2x extender, and I found that 300mm f/4 IS gave a better overall results.
The 300mm IS lens is professionally sharp, even at wide open apertures. When handholding this lens and shooting static subjects, sharp images can be produced even with shutter speeds as slow as 1/90 or 1/60 of a second range.
With one or two extension tubes, it makes a wonderful macro lens (that offers lots of working distance) for subjects the size of small frogs or large flowers or insects. And by choosing the "IS 1" setting, you can stop down to f/16 or even f/22 (with ISO 100) for added depth of field with no problem on a sunny day.

[genewch]

Thank you, avid. To take pics for birds, butterflies, small creatures, etc, is a monopod or a tripod more suitable to use? I'm afraid the butterfly in front of me will fly away when I'm rushing to set up the tripod. If I don't have a tripod collar on my lens, is it clumsy to use a monopod? I saw some accessories for monopods that 3 small legs can be attached to a monopod for firmer support. Are they useful and worthwhile to get?

[jerry_fung]

Hope this link could help you

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-400mm-f-5.6-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

[Avid]

Thank you Jerry, I think I will get the 400mm f/5.6L after reading through the review.

To qenewch : I think monopod will be more convinent. I always use the Gitzo 1568 with Manfrotto 234 head for most of the outdoor photography and they can do the job really well! I usually handhold the 300mm f/4 lens with 'IS 2' on for photographing flying birds. If you don't have tripod collar, it is also easy to fix the camera body on monopod. For tele lens, I think it is better to get a tripod collar on in order to get a good balance.

[genewch]

Oh I see, avid. Thank you. Does it work well if I use a ball head instead of a Manfrotto 234 head on a monopod? I think using a monopod does need some technique. To hold the monopod, only one hand is free to adjust the focus and press the shutter. I hope the bugs will not run away before I do the series of actions! :P I use a 100mm macro and doesn't have a tripod collar. Is the balance acceptable to attach the camera directly to the monopod head?

I still believe that a prime is surely sharper than a zoom lens. If the shooting environment allows, I prefer a prime. It's usually lighter and smaller too, but it's an exception that the 400mm is longer than the 100-400mm. I'm one of the poisoned fans of prime lenses.

[Avid]

To qenewch,

There is no problem to have a ball head on a Monopod, it is only personal preference. For my preference, I use ball head on a tripod because I need the flexibilities of the ball head for different angles, but on the monopod, I only need to tilt forwards or backwards.
Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro is a very nice lens, you don't need a tripod collar for this lens.
When you use the monopod, it acts as an additional support on the ground, you still have your right hand to hold th camera body and your right index finger on the shutter, your left hand for adjusting the focus as usual, you don't need to hold the monopod.

[genewch]

Thank you avid. You've taught me how to use a monopod.

Have you made up your decision on the 400mm f5.6 or 100-400mm? If you only need the 400mm focal length and the IS can be dropped, the prime won't go wrong. I heard of some comments in www.photographyreview.com that the 400mm end of the zoom is soft. But... why the 400mm is less expensive than the 300mm f4?

[jerry_fung]

Thx Avid.......For me, I think Prime is better than Zoom. Of cause you should consider what your are going to take and what purpose of buying the lens.

[Avid]

To Jerry - I agree and I prefer prime lens more.

To qenewch - The 300mm f/4 L is more expensive than the 400mm because 300mm is f/4 and with IS, but 400mm is only f/5.6. That makes the differences in prices.

[genewch]

Oh, the IS module is so profitable!

If I have to choose, a 400mm prime is better than the zoom. But I can hardly have an opportunity to use such long lenses. I don't have experience in photographing birds. I have to practise first before buying anything, so it'd be excellent if someone can lend me a long bazooka and try it. :P