Well it's a rental, but I've got it for the next week, and so far, this thing is awesome! I'll have it at the track this weekend for the ALMS race. The first impression it made on me is how heavy it is. There's something like 21 glass elements in it, so it's not suprising that it weighs a lot. It's gonna take some getting used to for panning, but it shouldn't be a problem. It's also different in that it uses a "push-pull" mechanism to adjust the focal length. I thought it'd be annoying, but it really isn't at all. I can't wait to get out to the track with it on thursday!
i have a powershot 700 welcome to the club (of awesome pictures club) <A BORDER="0" HREF="http://www.supercars.net/PitLane?displayFAQ=y"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="pitlane/emoticons/sad.gif"></A>
The lense didn't come with a manual though, so for people who have used similar ones before, I've got a few questions. There are 2 settings on the IS, what is the difference between the two? Also, there's a setting with 2 settings, 1.8M & 6.5M. Is that referring to the relative distance the subject is away from you?
I don't even have a camera <A BORDER="0" HREF="http://www.supercars.net/PitLane?displayFAQ=y"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="pitlane/emoticons/sad.gif"></A>
One for vertical only stabilization and the other for both horizontal and vertical stabilization. And yes 1.6 meter to 6.5 meter or 6.5 meter to infinity
oh that second feature is pretty neat, less searching. I wish I had that on my 70-300. I was at the airshow and had such a hard time getting focus lock on those small jets on the bright sky
I've been considering this lens. It's either this or a 70-200 2.8. I'll have to rent one too I guess. Any test shots?
its 1.6m to infinity, and 6.5m to infinity. one allows you to focus through the whole range, the other allows you to lock out the closer focus distances, which makes the AF work faster because it only has to hunt through half the range. use this for shooting cars.
I think IS 1 is usually the vertical only. That is the one you want for panning. Otherwise use the vert/horizontal one.
"mode on corrects motion in both vertical and horizontal axis whereas mode two corrects vertical motion only. The latter is meant for action photography when you´ve to track objects. Mode one is intended for static scenes only." http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/204-canon-ef-100-400mm-f45-56-usm-l-is-test-report--review
I dont have this lens on the lens, but generally Setting 1 is both axis, and setting 2 and 3 [if you have it] are panning settings. Thats the way ive always seen it.
Instead of asking us, go out and try panning on some passing cars/objects, to get a feel before you need to success on track side.