Is the Canon 100-400mm a sharp enough lens?

[Jake]

Hello everyone,

My name is Jake Miille and I am photographer in California. I use a Canon Rebel XSi (Hoping to upgrade to a Canon 7D Mark ii if it comes out in January) as well as a Canon 10-22mm and a 24-105L. I shoot mainly railroads throughout the Western US and sometime 105mm just doesn't cut it. I have been hoping to upgrade my telephoto lens (I do have a kit 55-250 but it's... you know) for awhile. I have seen a few options and I was hoping I could get some of your opinions/advice.

The Canon 100-400 looks like a nice lens and I'm really excited about the coverage it could get me. I am not too worried about the limited aperture because railroad scenes are usually shot on f/7.1 or higher. I have heard the push/pull system can be weird but I have no doubt that I could get use to it. My one concern with this lens is the sharpness and quality. I have heard it is not the sharpest L lens out there and I was wondering how that would affect my photos. I'm a little torn/confused because the lens is Canon L series, but people have discussed it as being a little soft. Does anyone out there have experience with this lens? Is it sharp enough? Will it be worth the money?

If you wouldn't recommend the 100-400, what do you think about the 70-300L? If those two lenses are equal in quality, the 100-400 would give me a better range. Is the 70-300 actually a sharper lens?

Thanks for the help.

[lhdvries]

My first 100-400L was not that sharp, & I sold it several years ago. However I recently took a chance & bought another one . This one is very sharp(I've been told exceptionly so by some) & it is super convenient for wildlife hunting while hiking back country or shooting from the car on back country roads. I really like it lot!
Leon

[Lulu]

I am very unhappy with my 100-400.  Nothing is sharp.  I even sent it out for calibration and it isn't any better.  I am beginning to think it is back or front focusing although I am not knowledgeable enough to know how to test and fix it myself.  I have ruined several shots with it.

[SusanK]

Thank you GlynH! I work as an animal keeper at the Animal Ark wildlife sanctuary north of Reno, Nevada. We have three cheetahs that run once a week or so for exercise. This year we added photo blinds in addition to the spectator seating. Becoming very popular with photographers!

[GlynH]

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@SusanK wrote:
Thank you GlynH! I work as an animal keeper at the Animal Ark wildlife sanctuary north of Reno, Nevada. We have three cheetahs that run once a week or so for exercise. This year we added photo blinds in addition to the spectator seating. Becoming very popular with photographers!

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I thought this guy was running for breakfast/lunch or something? I would be worried he was looking straight at me! 🙂

Can I ask what body/lens/settings did you use for this shot?

Thanks & kind regards,

-=Glyn=-

[David]

EXIF is intact.

5D mark II

1/2000

f/5.6

[ScottyP]

Wow.  Hopefully he was not coming for you and your 100-400!

[cicopo]

Lulu, this link might help.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=857871

However having had a 40D which wasn't quite right here's the easy test BUT you must use a tripod & set it up correctly. You'll need 3 targets that are the same (preferable) such as soft drink cans. Set them up at so that they are staggered apart & front to rear but that all 3 can be seen from the camera position. Place the one on the left 1 foot further back than the one in the middle, & the one on the right 1 foot closer than the one in the middle. (You'll need some distance from camera to targets) Set the camera to center AF point only & the camera to Av & select f5.6. (wide open) & use 400 mm. Lock the AF on the middle target & take a few shots but pause in between them to let the camera settle.Move the outer targets further forward & backward but don't move the middle one. Shoot more samples. Download & examine. The center target should always be in focus but the others should be a bit soft, but if one of them is more in focus than the center one you have a camera problem  Repeat as necessary to determine if it actually focusing in front or behind where it says it is.

[Lieonel]

Owned it, it isn't all that sharp compared to others in the range.

The reason to go with it is if you need 400mm.

I would prefer the 70-200 f/2.8 L II myself, next would be the 70-300mm L.

If you know what length you need one of the L primes would be even better.

[David]

Excellent photo by the way.

[SusanK]

What David said. Thanks for the compliments! Anyway, I love my 100-400 lens!