The lens makes a very solid impression, the balanced smooth zooming, the length of the lens does not change, everything takes place in the lens, thus it is perfectly protected against dust and water.
The precise autofocus is very fast, hardly you type the shutter button halfway, the image has sharp, even in low light makes the AF very good services. Much faster than the 24-105 L IS.
By the choice of the closest focusing distance of 1.2m to 2.5m and ue ue to the AF works for subjects beyond 2.5m extremely fast. This is especially useful in AI Servo mode of the camera when you are tracking a moving subject.
The Image Stabilizer (IS) works in 2 modes. Mode 1 compensates for camera shake when not moving subjects, allowing slower shutter speeds than without IS. This allows you to take pictures without the flash in some "dark" situations yet. Convenient if you want the situation not totblitzen or when flash photography is prohibited (for example in the museum). Mode 2 compensates for camera shake with moving subjects such as moving cars in which the subject is focused and the background is blurred. However, only horizontal wobbles when vertically moving subjects and vice versa. The moving car is therefore only sharp when it pursued the right speed, to compensate for this only vertical jitters. Logically, should be set on the camera and AI servo continuous shooting mode 2 so that the camera is continuously focusing on and several pictures makes succession. Both modes work very well with me.
When the set screw easily dissolves in the solid processed tripod mount ring the lens rotates continuously in the clamp with the camera. Ideal for fast switching between portrait and landscape mode with tripod. The tripod collar can be removed completely.
As far as I can tell as a hobby photographer the lens has an excellent sharpness even on the edge and already at open aperture 2.8. The bokeh in 2.8 is nice and soft. But comparisons with other similar lenses I can not draw.
In combination with the Extender EF 2x III to extend the max. Focal length of 400 mm, however, lost some of its sharpness across the entire image. The slight blur is clearly on the Extender as well as manual Nachfokusieren brings no improvement. The AF is also true with the Ext. The best possible sharpness to the point. The panel will be increased by 2 steps to max. 5.6. Contrary to other opinions and test reports (supposedly the AF does not work) work with the Extender autofocus still quite good. Although much slower than without and it's a little more light required (clearly at 5.6er panel) but it works even in my halogen lit with 40W Living acceptable. The depth of field increases inevitably.
One must decide whether you photograph the subject with 200 mm and later cut out with loss of resolution or 400 mm photographed and a little less sharpness has.
The use of the extender does so only in certain situations sense because you do not buy an expensive yes 2.8er lens to it on 5.6 to "deteriorate". In addition, the total length increases (objective + Geli + Ext. + 5D MKII) to an impressive 41cm and the weight to 3.1 kg.
I bought this lens because of the very good reviews / tests and because it is so affordable just for me.
Prime lenses are better but not cheap and yet difficult to do so. Also it makes sense to if you own other Objetive with 77 mm filter thread as it saves a few Euros for other filters.
Prime lenses tend to have a plug-in filters which makes the use of a polarizing filter virtually impossible, he is plugged in no more rotation and always out -Rotate -rein - does not fit - out - turn ... who wants to do that?
At first I wanted to buy the 100-400er 4-5.6, but I chose this because the 100-400er sliding zoom as "air pump" like attracts dust in the optics and relatively weak light is. Despite about double the price (incl. Extender) I think the better choice.
My conclusion: very good lens with a rapid and precise AF, IS and good top sharpness. Weight, dimensions and price in relation to the quality acceptable. Who can afford it does not make any mistake.
Regards, Your
FotoMax
