suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Last of the images to post- first two are handheld and third is on tripod.

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bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Thanks again!

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

You are very welcome! Let us know what you finally end up with.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I have gone over the posts you have made about the new 100-400 and have a few thoughts. I do a lot of birds with a Canon 6D and 7DII using a 100-400L and a Tamron 150-600.

1. When hand holding a pistol grip screwed to the tripod mount helps a lot. They sell them on Amazon for about $12 up to $20 for a grip only. Then there are high end ones with shutter releases for pro and video needs, I have never even looked them up.
On my Canon 100-400L the plain grip made by Barska works fine in my left hand and I do all the camera controls with my right hand. I set the zoom before I bring the camera up. Regis uses one for all those eagle shots of his. One of his posts is what reminded me that back in the late 60s I had a zoom lens for my 35 mm that had a grip built in and a cable release for the shutter. (Actually I found it in a storage box with the camera when I went looking.) So I ordered a grip. Works great with the 100-400, the 150-600 is a bit much, if I decided to take it off the gimbal head and do a lot of hand holding I would get one of the heavier grips with a wider mount base.

2. I have no idea what the crop factor on your bodies are but remember the crop factor is applied to the shutter speed also. At 400 mm the minimum speed should be 1/400 on a full frame. Then multiply by the crop factor, so for my 7DII that is 400 x 1.6 = 1/640 shutter as a minimum. Actually when doing birds I almost never go below 1/800 and am usually at 1/1250 - 1/2000 (hummers). The stabilization helps, but if the light is good I will go for high shutter speed and turn off the stabilization. I seem to get sharper pictures that way then if I depend on the stabilization. Both my bodies are good at high ISOs, the 6D absolutely great and the 7DII pretty good. I have good images at ISO 6400 on both bodies and useable ones at ISO 12800 with my 6D, not great or noiseless but after PP they are usable (that was indoors with no flash, just room lights.)

3. Comment and advice. Stop using the lenses like it was an observatory and get as close as you can and use the lens to fill the frame. I did the "how far can I be away" thing also. And sometimes you have no choice. But mostly get as close as you can and use the lens power to fill the frame. Use higher shutter speeds when you have the light. If you don't have the light then use a tripod and/or up the ISO if your body will handle it well. If noise starts to intrude then some of today's PP software does a really good job with noise. So far the best I have done with the apps I tried is one called DeNoise Projects Pro

3. My normal procedure with birds and BIF is to set the aperture and shutter speed and let the ISO float on auto. With my bodies it works well. for the 100-400 I almost never go below 1/500 or 1/640, with the 150-600 I try to stay above 1/640 or 1/800 and usually when I go after birds 1/1000 is my slow shutter speed unless they are setting birds, then I will go lower, esp if I have a tripod or a good rest when hand holding. Oh, trees, posts, railings, fences etc. become your friends when hand holding. Sitting and using the knees to rest your elbows or laying down and using your elbows works also if you can do it, don't try it in a swamp or wet ground unless you like getting wet and cruddy.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

To Robertjerl- appreciate the helpful information and will follow up.

MTG44 Loc: Corryton, Tennessee

#3 I rally like.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Thank you :)

Szalajj Loc: Salem, NH

Suntouched, I like the second and third shots.

Robertjerl, Great advise. I'm about to pull the trigger on a used Canon 100-400 EF L this weekend, so I'll remember your crop factor formula and make a note to never shoot slower than that result.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Thanks for looking and taking the time to respond. Have fun with your new to you lens- it's a good one!

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

This topic is about the GX8 and Lumix 100-400. I have it on my wish list, but have a predecessor, the GX7 with an older Lumix 100-300. I'm usually frustrated with results. I often use a medium size and relatively stiff Gorrillapod like a pistol grip. It does help. I'm looking forward to trying the way you set up your camera to let ISO float.

Thanks.