kcooke Loc: Alabama

I am looking for advice on whether I should buy the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens or the series 1 model. Heres what I know so far

1. I can get the series 1 new from B&H for $1299 which is $600 cheaper than the series II. This is not an insignificant price difference.
2. I am quite ok with push pull zooming. Actually I like it.
3. The new lens claims 4 stops of stabilization vs 2 stops for the series 1 which is a significant difference.
4. I am an amateur shooting a Canon 5D MK II for the digital portion of my photography.
5. I will be shooting nature and also limited sports with this lens. All of this outdoors during daylight.
6. I know its big and heavy

If anyone has experience with both I would appreciate your comments. If anyone knows of a better lens than either of these in this focal length range at equal or less than price Id be interested in what you have to say as well. I do not have to have the Canon name brand but believe from my research that both of these lenses are very good. As always, thanks for your help.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I've shot them both. The v II is superior. The vI is a great lens from back in the day. Still good by today's standards, but replaced by the superior v II, superior in both construction and image results. The v I is a better buy for a used copy in good shape priced around $800. There's no reason to play full price in 2018 for a new copy of a lens initially released in 1998.

ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca

I really like the advice he is offering you ----
I have had both lenses I & II -- The only reason I switched to the II was my purchase of the 5Ds & all its pixels -- Thought the extra two IS stops would be helpful -- They have proven to be so -- The version I works quite well with the 5D2 -- Both are great pieces of gear -- buying used from say B&H or similar is intelligent advice
Good luck

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I have owned and used both.
The 100-400 mk 1 on a 6D and 7DII, with the 1.4x III on the 7DII much of the time.
The 100-400 mk 2 on a 6D, 7DII, 80D and 5DIV, again with the 1.4x III on all but the 6D.

The 100-400L mk 1 is still a great lenses, just not as great as the mk 2. If I had one again I would not feel deprived (much). It does not play well with any filter of any type or grade. I have read several articles about people (some pros) who were shocked at the IQ change in their pictures after they took off the UV filter they had on from when they picked it up in the store. As Ken Rockwell puts it "The 100-400 is a fully professional L lens; I have a couple of friends who earn their livings photographing wildlife with it." for his review of the mk II look here: http://kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/100-400mm-ii.htm
He basically says what I think, the mk I was/is a great lens, the mk II is greater. Plus it focuses so close that with a bit of PP and cropping it seems the mk II lens has an inner "macro" personality.

At the Canon store a mk II refurbished is $1759 and has the same warranty as new.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

👍👍 That about sums it up...

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

kc, you seem like the kind of guy that needs to buy new, but maybe not?
I own both lenses, that said I’™ve used the mkl EXTENSIVLY on a 5Dll. I don’™t use the 100-400 Mkll nearly as much, I like it less as well, probably why.
The push/pull was SOOO fast that it was fun to use. The mkll is just another new lens in the line-up. Is it better, on paper everything about it is better, from corner to corner IQ to the IS.
But I don’™t see any difference. The biggest improvement is in the corners and I ALWAYS shoot with fairly shallow DoF. So any advantage in the corners is completely mitigated out by the DoF.
I also wouldn’t even think of using such a slow lens indoors so have little use for the extra stops. For me it’™s an outdoor lens in decent light.
One reason to buy any one of the bigger Mkll lenses is that they ALL lost considerable weight and are easier to handle, by almost 20%.
BUT the 100-400 went on a binge and is actually almost a 1/2 pound heavier! I guess a victim of losing the push/pull.
So WHY did I buy one? I got one extremely cheap, used, as part of a package deal, otherwise I would not likely upgrade.
The mkl is an extremely sharp lens in good light where most of my shooting takes place using that lens, whether sports or nature.
Is the Mkll better, yes, but unless it is your primary lens I personally would buy a USED mkl for $700 and save more than a $1000. Use the extra to upgrade that 5Dll to a 5Dlll! I see much better improvements from upgrading cameras than lenses.
These were taken with the 100-400mkl and 5Dll. Good luck
SS

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imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Optically, they are very close. The I excels in speed of target acquisition to final composition - as for birds in flight- because of the push/pull design. No TC's come into play as the 5DII does not AF @f8 I am pretty sure. If high speed/accurate focus are a requirement for you, then you will need the Canon brand.

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kcooke Loc: Alabama

Thanks I appreciate your insight on the two lenses. I may consider a used V1 but would probably buy from someone with a liberal return policy.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

Thanks for the info. I may try used at B&H KEH etc

kcooke Loc: Alabama

[quote=robertjerl]I have owned and used both.
The 100-400 mk 1 on a 6D and 7DII, with the 1.4x III on the 7DII much of the time.
The 100-400 mk 2 on a 6D, 7DII, 80D and 5DIV, again with the 1.4x III on all but the 6D.

Thanks. I had read both reviews at Rockwell’s website. Just need to make up my mind and pull the trigger on one of them.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

Wow Great photos with that combination!! Thanks a bunch for your views on this. Push pull zooms are definitely fast for me. I am definitely not against buying used if I have some protection from the seller. Actually I am on a budget full frame journey with my photography. I’m on a tight budget. I bought the 5D2 used at $450 with canon 50mm f1.8. Bought an old 70-210 f4 Canon lens for $40. Bought a new Tokina 24-70 f2.8 on sale at $600. The only thing I don’t like about the 5D2 is that the autofocus system is a bit primitive compared to what’s available now.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

Thanks and you are right that the 5D2 does not autofocus at f8

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

First, there is no series one or Mark I, there's just the EF 100-400L and the 100-400L II, and I had both, still have the II.
I sold the original because the II is just sooooo much better and I no longer used it. I really liked the original, especially its design but it was a tad heavy. The II is lighter, smaller and optically superior and it works very well with the 1.4 teleconverter.
If the II fits into your budget then that's the one you want. If money is an issue then get the original, it's still a significant lens and you won't be disappointed.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

kc, Though I'm sure the can go bad, I've never heard of one going bad. Even at such old lenses they are quite reliable, as far as I know. I bought my 100-400 mkl used and already pretty old. I never have had a problem! If you get a really clean one it might be pretty reliable. OR buy by Manufacturing date and get the newest you can get.
As far as not Focusing at f8, I used mine with a 1.4x converter on it for about 5 years with the pins taped. It's not perfect but it focuses pretty well.
You're right about the 5ll focus. It stinks but you CAN learn to maximize it. I shot a lot of Award winning sports with that camera, of which that cycling shot is one. The 5ll focuses ten times faster than my old manual focus film cameras ever did!!! LoL
There's always pre-focusing manually on a preset spot and shoot HS continuous which is also slow!!! LoL
Good luck with your budget endeavor, looks like you're pretty set up!
http://www.michaelfurtman.com/taping_the_pins.htm
SS

pbradin Loc: Florida

You can buy a factory refurbished 100-400 II for 1759.99 directly from Canon. Comes with all the same stuff as new ones do. I cannot remember what the warranty is, but I don't worry about that stuff. As much as I have abused my "L" series lenses shooting rodeos (getting banged around a bit by angry bulls and bareback and saddle bronc horses), I have never ever had to repair any lens. I did lose a camera body under the foot of a bull, though. Not repairable, almost broken in half. I had just removed the lens and was reaching into my bag for a shorter lens for the next event. Anyway, I would buy the refurb. in a New York minute. Now I only do nature stuff and, again, I have never had an issue with any "L" series lens. I also shoot in the rain. But, I do try my best to take care of things (cleaning, inspecting and always keeping them in one of my camera bags in a weather-controlled place). The refurbs are not always available, but if you have some patience, they will come back in stock. Most of them have been used as "demo" lenses, loaners to prominent event photographers and/or at shows. Some are returns, but they have been gone through and they make sure things are all up to spec. Every lens in my bag is used or a refurb.