100-400mm L at the Zoo

radiantm3 · 10-06-2008, 02:31 AM

Whenever I get a new lens, I get this urge to go somewhere that will make good use of it. Latest purchase was the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS So hitting up the SF Zoo was probably the most reasonable choice in my area.

It was a nice day, but not quite bright enough for shoot at a low ISO. The lens is also very heavy and trying to handhold shots was a big chore. So I ended up shooting from 800-3200 ISO most of the day. Lots of noise, but the photos came out pretty sharp so I was happy enough. The tigers were shot through dirty glass (as you can tell).

I am extremely happy with the quality of this lens. I took zoo photos a few months ago with my 70-200mm F/4 L IS lens and the subjects were a bit too far away. The only negative for this lens is it's weight and focusing speed. A wider aperture would be nice, but I definitely wouldn't pay more for that.

2K5 325i · 10-06-2008, 02:33 AM

Amazing shots.

That is some freakin serious glass you're shooting with!

In for as many shots as you're willing to post

.
-Chris

e92phreak · 10-06-2008, 02:37 AM

great looking shots! Can't wait to get my telephoto zoom.

bmwturbopower · 10-06-2008, 02:39 AM

Just Awesome. This is a glass I am looking for. It's amazing how sharp L lens bring out scenes

radiantm3 · 10-06-2008, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JNic335i

Just Awesome. This is a glass I am looking for. It's amazing how sharp L lens bring out scenes

It's not as versatile as a 70-200mm, but when you really need some reach, this lens definitely has it.

LOLrance · 10-06-2008, 06:04 AM

My buddies and i rented a 100-400L so we could take some photos at our track day and MAN was that thing heavy. I cant imagine how you carried it around all day at the Zoo.

remmib · 10-06-2008, 06:17 AM

Very sharp pics. With that high ISO I guess you got pretty fast shutter speed.

I see in the spec list that my 70-200 f/2.8L IS actually is heavier than the 100-400 L.

radiantm3 · 10-06-2008, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remmib

Very sharp pics. With that high ISO I guess you got pretty fast shutter speed.

I see in the spec list that my 70-200 f/2.8L IS actually is heavier than the 100-400 L.

The last time I took photos at the zoo with my 70-200, I shot at 100-400 ISO and my photos were slightly blurry. I'm willing to have a little noise as opposed to blurry photos.

I probably could have dropped the ISO a bit, but I didn't want to take a chance. I'm just a hobbyist so I still need to learn what shutter speeds I can hand hold and be safe.

I've never held the f/2.8 70-200. Mine is (unfortunately) the F/4 version which is a little smaller than the F/2.8.

danniexi · 10-07-2008, 12:42 PM

great photos!

that lens is f*ckin gangsta

BillLee · 10-07-2008, 09:37 PM

i like that gorilla picking his nose

Bimmer Nerd · 10-12-2008, 10:17 PM

absolutely STUNNING, i love the gorilla one , reminds me of myself

ANILE8 · 02-23-2009, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiantm3

Whenever I get a new lens, I get this urge to go somewhere that will make good use of it. Latest purchase was the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS So hitting up the SF Zoo was probably the most reasonable choice in my area.

It was a nice day, but not quite bright enough for shoot at a low ISO. The lens is also very heavy and trying to handhold shots was a big chore. So I ended up shooting from 800-3200 ISO most of the day. Lots of noise, but the photos came out pretty sharp so I was happy enough. The tigers were shot through dirty glass (as you can tell).

I am extremely happy with the quality of this lens. I took zoo photos a few months ago with my 70-200mm F/4 L IS lens and the subjects were a bit too far away. The only negative for this lens is it's weight and focusing speed. A wider aperture would be nice, but I definitely wouldn't pay more for that.

You could have shot at ISO200 and got much nicer bokeh and subject isolation if you had used a fast prime lens instead of a dog slow zoom.

A faster lens is exactly what most people will pay more for, because of the above reasons.

- Paul - · 02-23-2009, 04:35 AM

Great shots - love all of them.

radiantm3 · 02-23-2009, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ANILE8

You could have shot at ISO200 and got much nicer bokeh and subject isolation if you had used a fast prime lens instead of a dog slow zoom.

A faster lens is exactly what most people will pay more for, because of the above reasons.

I agree, but I'm no professional so I'm not going to drop $7000 dollars on a fast 400mm lens.

10-06-2008, 02:31 AM	#1
radiantm3 Apex Everything! 1006 Rep 4,378 Posts Drives: 2007 Honda S2000, 2017 GT350 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Cedar Park, TX iTrader: (6) Garage List 2011 E92 M3 [9.35] 2014 BMW i3 [10.00]	100-400mm L at the Zoo Whenever I get a new lens, I get this urge to go somewhere that will make good use of it. Latest purchase was the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS So hitting up the SF Zoo was probably the most reasonable choice in my area. It was a nice day, but not quite bright enough for shoot at a low ISO. The lens is also very heavy and trying to handhold shots was a big chore. So I ended up shooting from 800-3200 ISO most of the day. Lots of noise, but the photos came out pretty sharp so I was happy enough. The tigers were shot through dirty glass (as you can tell). I am extremely happy with the quality of this lens. I took zoo photos a few months ago with my 70-200mm F/4 L IS lens and the subjects were a bit too far away. The only negative for this lens is it's weight and focusing speed. A wider aperture would be nice, but I definitely wouldn't pay more for that. __________________ 2011 E92 M3(Sold). 2007 Honda S2000 (Track Car). 2016 Cayman GT4 (Sold). 2017 Shelby GT350 (AKA Crowd Killer). My pet project: https://stickershift.com
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10-06-2008, 02:33 AM	#2
2K5 325i srsly *****'n! 11 Rep 162 Posts Drives: 2007/8 TiAg 335i 'Vert Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Atlanta GA & Boulder Colorado iTrader: (0)	Amazing shots. That is some freakin serious glass you're shooting with! In for as many shots as you're willing to post . -Chris __________________
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10-06-2008, 02:37 AM	#3
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10-06-2008, 02:39 AM	#4
bmwturbopower Captain 319 Rep 657 Posts Drives: 08' E92 335i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (8)	Just Awesome. This is a glass I am looking for. It's amazing how sharp L lens bring out scenes __________________ /// E92 \| JB4 \| UR DP \| BMS DCI \| H&R \| LC Z2S \|
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10-06-2008, 06:04 AM	#6
LOLrance The Law. 311 Rep 14,282 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SF / OC iTrader: (17)	My buddies and i rented a 100-400L so we could take some photos at our track day and MAN was that thing heavy. I cant imagine how you carried it around all day at the Zoo. __________________
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10-06-2008, 06:17 AM	#7
remmib General 1584 Rep 29,215 Posts Drives: 2013 F10 520d M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Norway iTrader: (0)	Very sharp pics. With that high ISO I guess you got pretty fast shutter speed. I see in the spec list that my 70-200 f/2.8L IS actually is heavier than the 100-400 L. __________________ F10 520d M-Sport Alpine White \| HRE P43SC 20x9+20x11 \| Michelin PSS 255/35+295/30 \| KW V3 Coilover \| M5 Front Sway Bar + M550d Rear Sway Bar \| 3DDesign Front Lip \| BMW M Performance CF Spoiler \| BMW M Performance Diffuser \| BMW M Performance Black Grills \| BMW M Performance Pedals \|
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10-07-2008, 12:42 PM	#9
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10-07-2008, 09:37 PM	#10
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10-12-2008, 10:17 PM	#11
Bimmer Nerd Major General 525 Rep 7,783 Posts Drives: 6MT F80 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Santa Monica, CA iTrader: (12)	absolutely STUNNING, i love the gorilla one , reminds me of myself
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02-23-2009, 04:35 AM	#13
- Paul - Major General 754 Rep 7,308 Posts Drives: see above. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK iTrader: (5) Garage List 2005 320D SE [10.00] 2005 645 [9.00]	Great shots - love all of them. __________________ My Photos
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