Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

After several months of careful research about lenses, I decided that this was the one that I wanted. I have owned it for a few weeks but today was the first day that I actually had the weather to go out and shot some photos. I decided that I wanted to compare Image Quality (IQ) of the 100mm-400mm to the kit 70mm -300mm lens.(no IS and no USM) After finding a suitable subject, I took three images with each lens at 100, 200 and 300 focal length. (Same speed, iso and aperture settings for each lens). I also decided to go shot some Canada Geese but they were not a lively bunch since it is still only 10 F out here. After I arrived at home and opened the images, I placed them side by side. The IQ difference is simply amazing. One would expect a lens with an MSRP of over $2000 to take better pictures than a $200 lens but the difference blew me away. I have a 500D and before purchasing the camera, I had read a review by Ken Rockwell and he stated that the images (at 100%) with the 500D are almost Point and Shot quality. I agreed after seeing my own images at 100%. That is until I took a picture with L glass. No longer are the subjects fuzzy, they now they have real shape!( at 100% image enlargement) I am in the process of uploading the comparison shot so that you can see the difference first hand. I suppose that I need to say that the color improvement is also in line, i.e., it is outstanding! There are some folks that seem to have an issue with the push pull system. It took a while to get used to it. I would guess about 1/320 of a second! It is easy to use the push pull system if you have half a brain and I wish all zoom lenses were like this. The ring mechanism is the only drawback but one I can live with. I have decided that once I find the correct tension, I will use some clear quality tape and place it on the area where the tension ring meets the full time manual zoom adjustment so that it will remain locked at my preferred tension setting. If I ever need to change the setting, I can easily remove the tape. The IS system is also an amazing add on and a must have for a zoom lens. The IS in this lens DOES NOT disappoint. Once you press the shutter button half way, the IS kicks in and the subject in the view finder no longer shakes. Leave your tripod at homeº The USM is also up to speed and will not disappoint. I decided to keep the IS and USM review short. They both work and once you have them you won¡¦t know how you ever lived without them. I could go on about them but EXCELLENT sums it up nicely. I am in love with this lens and will use it for everything! One more thing: The lens is not heavy at 3 pounds and anyone over 150 lbs. should have the strength to carry/cradle this set up no problems. ENJOY the marvelous photos you will take with this wonderful lens. rc -------------------------------------------- UPDATE!!! 04/26/11 I just had to send the lens in for service after less than 2 months of use. I could not get a single sharp image even if the aperture was stopped down. Amazon agreed to take the lens back after Canon takes a look so I sent it in today ($30) and will have to wait a few weeks. I am glad that I buy from Amazon and this makes the this all a bit easier on my end (less worry) but I still do not like having to send something in after hardly using it. Update will follow in about 2-3 weeks. I love this lens but hope that this will take care of it once and for all. There will be no next time! rc _______________________________________________ UPDATE 05/05/2011 Canon repaired the lens. They stated that the lens did not Auto focus properly and they replaced the collars and checked and cleaned it, etc. The lens still does not work the way it did just a few weeks ago. I am now working this out with Amazon and Canon. All I want is for it to function like it did/should. At this point I can't recommend the 100-400. ------------------------------------------------- UPDATE about 1 hour later. Amazon called me back and a new lens is on the way. These guys rock and I am speechless. Customer Service is simply amazing. I have bought and will continue to buy from AMAZON! A new review of the 100-400mm will be up shortly. ___________________________________________________ More update 05/23/2011 Amazon replaced this lens with a new one on May 06,2011. I have had this lens for 2 weeks and she is going back to canon...again. I want to make clear that this is the replacement lens that is going back after 2 weeks not the repaired one. The images are crisp but the IS jumps a lot and even gives error codes. I love this lens even after all this frustration but....you decide if you want it. I had to argue to get free shipping to Canon to repair it. They said just to return it to Amazon and get a new one but I feel like I owe Amazon a favor and that I need to get it fixed first..again. I will have it back in a week and a half. I'll post more info then. ---------------------------------------------------- 05/24-2011 I had enough. After having spending too much time thinking about this lens, I decided to send it back. I will never own another 100-400. I am buying the 70-300L instead. If you have a working copy of the 100-400L, I can understand your love for it. Even now I still wish I could keep it but I can't deal with the "what if" anymore. I absolutely can't recommend this lens. ------------------------------------------------------------- The End!