Simply an awesome lens. Certainly one of the best bits of glassware available.
I was very worried when I bought mine that the results would be no better than my Bigma+20D combo. I was so relieved when I first used it in decent light. All the softness I experienced with the Bigma had gone. I now had bitingly sharp pics with better detail and colour accuracy than I could have imagined.
I use it combined with a 20D and Sigma 1.4X converter most of the time.
The only negative is not a fault of the lens. I have had to change my birding style. No longer can I walk around with the Bigma on the tripod slung over my shoulder. The Canon lens is not too heavy for this, but it is unwieldy and impossible to balance this way when walking far. I bought a Lowepro Pro Trekker to go with it but the whole kit, including tripod and with a small number of accessories in the bag weighs around 40lb. It's no trivial task if I need to take it far.
I agree that it's a tripod lens. You'd need really good light to hand-hold it.
Overall, I have no regrets as it has taken my photography into a new dimension. Recommended to anyone.
(Spotted Flycatcher http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l72/mistyduck/Spotted-Flycatcher-2.jpg )
I was very worried when I bought mine that the results would be no better than my Bigma+20D combo. I was so relieved when I first used it in decent light. All the softness I experienced with the Bigma had gone. I now had bitingly sharp pics with better detail and colour accuracy than I could have imagined.
I use it combined with a 20D and Sigma 1.4X converter most of the time.
The only negative is not a fault of the lens. I have had to change my birding style. No longer can I walk around with the Bigma on the tripod slung over my shoulder. The Canon lens is not too heavy for this, but it is unwieldy and impossible to balance this way when walking far. I bought a Lowepro Pro Trekker to go with it but the whole kit, including tripod and with a small number of accessories in the bag weighs around 40lb. It's no trivial task if I need to take it far.
I agree that it's a tripod lens. You'd need really good light to hand-hold it.
Overall, I have no regrets as it has taken my photography into a new dimension. Recommended to anyone.
(Spotted Flycatcher http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l72/mistyduck/Spotted-Flycatcher-2.jpg )