Help with Canon 100-400 IS lens?

wasigan

I rented the Canon 100-400 IS lens for a trip to Costa Rica next week. (First, my arm is sore from trying it out yesterday, but what are ya gonna do?). Can anyone offer some tips that might help me get up and running a little more quickly than normal since I leave next week?

I played around with it with backyard birds with not a single sharp shot - high light, low light, auto, aperture priority (ugh), shutter priority. I read a few reviews where some talked about the 7.1/6.8 sweet fstop. Not much better.

I rented this because of some reviews from those who said the lens could help with good nature shots in low light and hand held.

Also, would a hand-held pistol grip help with the weight (and therefore maybe improve camera shake?) or would that turn off the IS?

I appreciate any help

Lori

ChatKat

Could you have a bad copy? Is the Auto focus on? Are you set with the focus distance on the side of the lens?

Put the camera on P or Auto and set the camera down on a table or wall and push the shutter to test focus. That will help determine if it's you or the lens. You might need to exchange it before you leave.

wasigan

ChatKat wrote:

Are you set with the focus distance on the side of the lens?

Should I toggle it to 1.3 or 6.3 (I think those are the two, the lens is at home and I'm at work)? Yes, AF is on.

I think I need to give it a few days before I even think about it being the camera!

Any other tips are appreciated!

kdog

Make sure the IS switch is On, and the Mode switch is set to 1. Keep in mind you are looking at a very shallow depth of field when you use a telephoto lens, so you must be certain your focus is locking on what you think it is. Do some tests using a high contrast target against a plain background. For example, tape a dollar bill to a white wall. Use the center focus point only. Set your focus limiter to the short range, and you'll still need to be 6' or more from your target. Post a shot of your results if you're still having problems. I would certainly hope the lens rental company wouldn't send out a bad lens. This is their business after all. A monopod is a cheap way to take the weight off your arms and stabilize the lens.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

-joel

ChatKat

If the camera is working okay with another lens, then I would work with the lens to see why.

The side buttons on the lens are to determine the focusing distance from the lens to subject. I don't have the lens with me either but there is a minmum focus distance of about 6 ft. - the numbers are meters. A meter is 33 inches. So make sure your subject is in the right amount of distance for the setting on the button.

Art Scott

all good sugestions above......I have one for helping relieve arm pain.....at your nearest Wal-Mart or hunting supply store they usually carry in the sporting good dept The Crooked Horn Outfitters Bino system strap......this takes the weight off your neck and arms and places it acroos your shoulders and back making the camera and lens much easier to carry and also helps stabilize the whole unit.....I have been using them now for almost 4 yrs....especially if I an out hiking for more that a couple of hours.....

The binos system can be branded by the retailer...but i think wall world stil has them as crooked horn outfiters bino system.....for under $20.00 each i wound up with 3 of them .....one for each camera..............

wasigan

thanks
Thanks everyone for the great feedback. Glad to report it's definitely NOT the lens, but the user, but I remain optimistic.

Art, thanks for the tip on the Bino system....will definitely look into it. I'm also toying with the idea of a lightweight monopod to take along. Thanks again. I hope to have a few pics to post that are worthy !!

kdog

So what was the resolution here? Don't keep us hanging?

Ed911

ChatKat wrote:

If the camera is working okay with another lens, then I would work with the lens to see why.

The side buttons on the lens are to determine the focusing distance from the lens to subject. I don't have the lens with me either but there is a minimum focus distance of about 6 ft. - the numbers are meters. A meter is 33 inches. So make sure your subject is in the right amount of distance for the setting on the button.

Humbly submitted...a meter is 39.37 inches...for future reference.