Canon 100-400 vii lens - Pictures could be sharper Need help!

[Summerlee340]

Okay, so it could be me - I'm not a total noob, but who knows. Been shooting with my Canon Rebel T3i for several years. Mostly used my 55-250 kit lens and at times I got some tack sharp photos from that lens

Regarding my new 100-400 vii lens, I have yet to get a crisp shot - the shots are just okay to me. Granted I am hand holding the camera and lens when  trying to take photos, and it is a bit heavy (mostly of birds and wildlife) but I do have the IS on.  I usually shoot on M but lately I've been using TV mode - my photos are okay but they just are not sharp enough.  I have it on AF - and sometimes it takes a few seconds to focus.

Even with my tripod, again, the shots are okay - some are passable, but I know what sharp is as I've taken a few with my 55-250 and so far I'm not cutting it.  

I usually have the lens to full zoom at 400 and I try to keep the shutter speed at least 400 as I've read the focal length should be reciprocal to the shutter speed.  My histogram looks great quite often...

Question/Issues:  Perhaps I am too far away from my subject? Birds are so skittish so I usually stand maybe  20 feet away.

 I thought with the larger zoom that meant I wouldn't have to be as close to my subject .  

So am I too far away?

If someone has a few moments, perhaps I can get some advice or point me to a great website....Thanks very much.

[RobertTheFat]

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@Waddizzle wrote:

   Have a safe and happy Memorial Day, Ernie, and the rest of the gang, too.

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This member of the gang spent the morning playing "Taps" six times (and "Amazing Grace" once) in 50-degree weather at our town's Memorial Day ceremonies. And then thawed out watching the Red Sox manager (who has no idea when to pull the pitcher) throw their game away in Chicago. Thank goodness the rest of the gang has posted a bunch of messages in the forum to help me get my sanity back. 

[Summerlee340]

Thank you, ebiggs,

You addressed (on 5/29 at 3:46) whether the "lens turns itsel off on a tripod" - I think that issue was brought up by someone else (I think maybe Wadizzle) on this thread, but, that's fine because I am learning. 

And before I consider switching the IS off when I'm using my tripod, I'm at the stage where I want to figure out the three stages of the IS on this lens.

Practice makes perfect! 

[ebiggs1]

B from B,

I spent the morning doing the Memorial Day Ceremony at the county seat for Johnson county Kansas.  It was my 17th year in a row doing this ceremony.

"(who has no idea when to pull the pitcher)"

Ha, the Royals manager keeps a pitcher in until at least the 6th inning come hell or high water.  I actually don't understand why they pay managers so much money when they don't seem to know any more about baseball.  Do they not understand it is knowing when to pull the pitcher before the damage is done rather than after?

[frodoboy]

The 100-400 Mark II shuts IS off when mounted to a tripod according to Canon.

[Waddizzle]

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@frodoboy wrote:

The 100-400 Mark II shuts IS off when mounted to a tripod according to Canon.

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Only with select camera bodies, though.