Thoughts on 100-400 4.5-5.6?

[Sportseditor123]

Anyone have experience or opinions on using the 100-40 4.5-5.6 for high school sports?

I'm guessing it's OK outside in good light. How about night football and soccer? Does it work OK paired with an R3 or 1DX Mark III that can handle higher ISO? Thanks!

[wq9nsc]

That lens will struggle some at night depending upon the lighting situation.  A few HS fields are near D1 college level but most aren't close and on those I don't even like using my 200-400 f4 (it becomes f5.6 if you engage the integrated extender to take it out to 560mm).  I use a pair of 1DX III bodies.

The 100-400 will work under those conditions, it just depends upon what you are happy with in terms of performance.  Focus acquisition is a bit slower than the 70-200 f2.8 and the long primes and dark fields will make it a bit worse. 

I would try to borrow or rent one and try it for yourself under night conditions before deciding if it works for you.

Rodger

[ebiggs1]

"The 100-400 will work under those conditions, it just depends upon what you are happy with in terms of performance."

And that in a nutshell is the bottom line. Will you get every shot, perhaps not. Will you get some good shots probably, yes. There are several things that are more important than what camera/les you use althjough most people think they are.

First is easy switch to raw file format and not jpg. Second get a good post editor like the one Canon offers for free on its web site. Next although mostly overlooked by most is know your sport. Know what is about to happen what is going on. And lastly but perhaps the very most important thing is location or where you shoot from. Sidelines and the ability to move at will all around. If you are confined to the bleachers for instance no camera/lens combo will get very good or great photos.

[ebiggs1]

"I would try to borrow or rent one and try it for yourself under night conditions before deciding if it works for you."

Borrow yes rent not so much. I don't like renting these, let's say inexpensive lenses. The big ultra high dollar lenses perhaps. My theory is you can buy the lens and sell it on if you don't like it.This is what I have done since I retired from Hallmark after 40 years. I have lost count but I suspect I have owned 150 or eve more lenses since my retirement. I have about two dozen currently. Anyway the money you spent renting you can consider the same a reducing the resale price when you decide to either keep or move on. Renting the 100-400mm will probably be around a hundred bucks. That C note is lost! The hassle of shipping. Plus buying lets you have more than the few days or perhaps a week to tell if it does it for you. You can take all the time you want.

I may have lost some money over the retirement years doing it this way but not as much as if I had rentied all those lenses. I bet it is less than the cost a single Chief's football game ticket.

[Sportseditor123]

Thank you! I'm a Bears fan. Cost should cover a couple of season tickets on the 40.

[ebiggs1]

"Da Bears!" 😁