Reviews by mr_birdman

I've just bought a pristine, though used, 1D3 about two weeks ago, which replaces my 1D2n that I used for over a year prior. What can I say? WOW! The body feels like a 1D and for those of you that never held one and are really into your bird photography, ONLY hold one if you can afford it. Though the second hand market is now flooded with very good quality bodies and they are as good as the day they were released. I love having people around who always have to have the latest and greatest, which means that predecessors of the current 1D line-up are becoming cheaper and cheaper. The fact they are "outdated" because of improved technology does NOT mean they are garbage. If I recall a few years ago everyone had 1D3 bodies and were making great photos with them. Nothing changed today. You can put the best technology in the wrong hands and get zilch. Yes, that is how the cookie crumbles. I will never pay the ridiculous prices to buy a new 1D series body.

Rant aside, it's fantastic. AF works perfect (the serial number is outside the range that had possible sub-mirror problems). It makes clean, contrasty and beautiful images, which need very minimal post processing, which is what I LOVE!

The 10fps is handy for fast action, but it's annoying as the shutter button is quite sensitive so even if I want to take a single shot while in high-speed mode, I can accidentally fire off two or three. I think in a few more sessions that will be sorted out as I develop a better feel for the shutter release.

ISO1600 is excellent and clean if I expose properly (shoot to the right) and even ISO3200 is relatively OK for me, though more experimentation is needed at the high-range ISOs.

You can really grab a bargain of a camera now that there are 1D4 and 1Dx out there that every one seems to be snapping up.

Again, like I said, having the latest of anything does not make for a better photographer.

This was my first ever L lens, bought at the end of 2006 with the matching Canon EF MkII 1.4x and 2x converters. I have used this pretty exclusively until acquiring the 500/4L IS USM in June 2011. The 300/4L IS USM lens is razor sharp, the IS is a God-send in low light when handholding and the lens takes each of the Canon EF converters well, only autofocusing with the 1.4x on anything other than a 1D body. I believe that adding the 1.4x is still capable of making razor sharp images and slightly softer when using the 2x. I would only use the 2x in good light and at times would successfully stack both converters to get some mega magnification. Not often, but it can produce very acceptable image quality with the right technique.

Overall the lens is fantastic and the MFD (minimum focusing distance) of 1.5 meters makes it a very capable macro lens for larger insects like butterflies, dragonflies etc.

I highly recommend this lens.

I've been using one of these on and off for almost two years. Though I usually have my 500/4L IS (version I) with me as that is THE best all around lens IMHO.

The 400/5.6L USM is very light and the AF is lightning fast in good light. Easy to handhold all day if one has to, the only drawback for me is the lack of IS, which means handholding in low light is not a very good option. I don't like using tripods if I can help it so that's one negative for me. Overall though, it is a fantastic lens capable of making super clear and sharp, well defined, images in the right hands. A truly affordable super telephoto lens. I highly recommend it!

This is simply the BEST all around wildlife photography lens, as it opens up new opportunities for all kinds of wildlife photography. Period. Not just birds, but for most mammals as well. It is still excellent for smaller birds if you can get close enough and are not afraid of using a 2x converter. I've also found that if I am close to a subject and I stack the Canon EF 1.4x and 2x converters together I can get very useable images! No bull. Overall, the only mods I've got are a Kirk LP-53 replacement lens foot and a forest green lenscoat lenscap. Beats the Canon lens cap. Pain in the backside that is! I find the lens easy to handhold for hours on end and would recommend a tripod for most shooting when using a 2x. Highly recommend it!