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by joseph motto on Sat Jun 10, 2017 4:19 pm
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I am thinking about purchasing this lens pairing it up with my 7D MkII body with/without a 1.4 TC for bird photography and air show photography. In the former I love the 500/4 but dragging it around on a tripod for long periods is getting more tiring as I age and going hand-held plus having variable focal lengths has a lot of appeal. I haven't seen recent reviews or discussion here; reviews from 2014 and 2015 seem to be very favorable. I do recall complaints about lack of sharpness with the original version. Have those of you who bought the II version been satisfied with your lens? I toyed with the idea of the Sigma and the Tamron lenses with extra reach but believe the Canon is probably my best option.
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by E.J. Peiker on Sat Jun 10, 2017 6:30 pm
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It's the gold standard of zooms that go out to 400mm
 

by Ethan Meleg on Sun Jun 11, 2017 8:19 am
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Ditto what EJ said, it's a truly spectacular lens. Has far exceeded my expectations for AF & IS performance and image quality.
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by kent downing on Sun Jun 11, 2017 2:20 pm
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Similar here. EJ's comment  is dead on. Astounding image results and a fantastic value.
Love the IS too and no more push-pull zoom and compatible w/ 1.4 TC III. Worth every penny.
 

by Neilyb on Mon Jun 12, 2017 2:22 am
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Can only agree. Thinking of selling my 200-400 and sticking with the 100-400 and 500. On the 5D4 the 100-400II and TC combo work brilliantly too!
 

by prairiewing on Mon Jun 12, 2017 5:25 am
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I agree with everyone here, its a great lens. After owning it awhile I sold both my 70-200 f2.8 and 300 f2.8. Not to hijack the thread but has anyone seen comparisons between it and the new Sony 100-400?
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by Karl Egressy on Mon Jun 12, 2017 6:44 am
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Excellent lens even at wide open (see my today's post on birds).
My copy doesn't take the 1.4x Mark III. extender very well, so I stopped using it on this lens.
 

by pawsitive on Tue Jun 13, 2017 7:15 am
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It is my most used lens and does not disappoint. I have not used it with the 1.4, so cannot comment on that.
Consider getting a monopod before getting rid of the 500mm f4. I think you might miss the extra light from f4 and quick focus
 

by christypmaui on Sat Jun 17, 2017 8:01 pm
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E.J. Peiker wrote:It's the gold standard of zooms that go out to 400mm
Thx E.J. I've been dragging my feet 'cause I love using the 70-200/2.8 IS II with a 1.4x (along with the 500mm/4 II) but your testimonial just pushed me over the fence.

And Joseph, I figured out a hack for carrying the 500mm II (with 1Dx, GT3540 tripod and Uniqball 45XC) with better comfort.

1) Add an old camera strap to your tripod (around the legs, near the top)
2) Attach a Kinesis T315 tripod strap to your lens and secure the T100 adapters tightly 

http://www.kgear.com/accessories/h-seri ... strap.html

3) For safety, attach one Optech Uni connector (regular) to the camera/lens and use the other connector to anchor the tripod to the camera/lens

https://www.amazon.com/OP-TECH-USA-1301 ... connectors

4) When you're ready to move about, put the tripod strap on your left shoulder and the Kinesis strap on you right shoulder and hug your rig across the "front" of your body.  Your shoulders will support the weight (reduces uneven strain) and you have more balance/control once you cinch the straps to fit your body/desired angle. 

You can still carry a 2nd rig in a backpack.
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by Jens Peermann on Sat Jun 17, 2017 11:13 pm
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prairiewing wrote:Not to hijack the thread but has anyone seen comparisons between it and the new Sony 100-400?
The B&H product page for the Sony 100-400 lens has rather enthusiastic customer reviews and one of them is comparing it directly with the Canon 100-400.
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by E.J. Peiker on Sun Jun 18, 2017 6:33 am
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The new Sony 100-400 for E-mount is not shipping yet. There is no customer review of the lens on the B&H site. I'm guessing you are confusing it with the A-mount 70-400mm
 

by Jens Peermann on Sun Jun 18, 2017 8:42 am
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E.J. Peiker wrote:The new Sony 100-400 for E-mount is not shipping yet.  There is no customer review of the lens on the B&H site.  I'm guessing you are confusing it with the A-mount 70-400mm
No, I was confusing it with the Sigma 100-400. Sorry.
A great photograph is absorbed by the eyes and stored in the heart.
 

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