Frustration with Canon 100-400 (Page 3): Hi, is this lens a is? If not rest it on something. Also check on focus. I use the 100-400 is with extender and don't run into too many...

bee7474 Loc: Selah, Wa

Hi, is this lens a is? If not rest it on something. Also check on focus. I use the 100-400 is with extender and don't run into too many problems, but do use AF because it sees better than I do. Good luck. Bee

deauxrite Loc: Sierra Vista, AZ

The only hand held success that I get with my 100-400 is to stop the lens down at least two stops from wide open and increase the ISO so that I can increase shutter speed. As long as there is sufficient light to do those things, I get very good results.

Rbode Loc: Ft lauderdale, Fla

aerides wrote:

My 100-400 is challenging me to get clear hand-held shots (on 7D). It's me, for sure - every now and then I do get sharp images. Maybe I should just give it some more time. Bought a good monopod too, that could help. No clear question here, just inviting comments. I'm frustrated because I had a pair of pileated woodpeckers in my back yard last week and didn't get one single clear shot. Not much time to practice.

I have an arthritic right hand and the helped me, it might of help to you.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=554100&is=REG&Q=&A=details

zerobeat

A few other suggestions: You may be getting a bit of camera shake when you punch the shot. Try setting the 2 second times, trip the shutter release and then concentrate on keeping things still. Another is to raise the mirrow ahead of time.

TDC223 Loc: Texas

I think you will happy, if you set camera so you can select focus point. Your photos show main target is not the focus point. Some of your pics show clutter that confuses the camera. The use of smaller aperture will help dof. How is your progress?

wylie Loc: Canada

Use a tripod. Use a tripod. It's the EXACT answer!

JayB Loc: Northeast US

Thanks, all, for coming through on this for me. Some great reminders and other ideas. My determination is restored. See how good you are?

DavidM Loc: New Orleans, LA

Chris wrote:

I'm interested in seeing what becomes of this because I'm considering the 100-400L.
One suggestion I have is that I believe the 7D has a microfocusing application that you can set the lens specifically to your camera. I know the 5D III has it and I think I remember that I read somewhere that the 7D had it

I'm also considering this lens and am watching as well. All suggestions are good pointers!

TrishV Loc: Now living on Whidbey Island, WA

I was told by a professional photographer that to do hand held he did arm exercises with weights so that he could hold the camera without shaking. He found that by working out his upper body (mainly his arms) it made it possible to get decent shots without the blur. Not sure if this is the type of information you are after but hope it helps. Good luck.

TDC223 Loc: Texas

Just another comment. The 100-400 is a little slow at AF, but mine gets a lot of use for wildlife and I am very happy with it. I do find the AF to be accurate. I shoot a lot of wildlife...birds, bears, and other large game. I try to use the 300L IS and 600L IS, but have the 100-400 on another body close by. I have found the 100-400IS has given me some of my best shots. Just curious....what mode do you shoot and how do you have the camera set up?

Chris

TrishV wrote:

I was told by a professional photographer that to do hand held he did arm exercises with weights so that he could hold the camera without shaking. He found that by working out his upper body (mainly his arms) it made it possible to get decent shots without the blur. Not sure if this is the type of information you are after but hope it helps. Good luck.

LOL I've thought about doing that to, especially when I'm 60 and the body does loose mass. So I start with the hand weights and that lasts maybe 3 days

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

aerides wrote:

My 100-400 is challenging me to get clear hand-held shots (on 7D). It's me, for sure - every now and then I do get sharp images. Maybe I should just give it some more time. Bought a good monopod too, that could help. No clear question here, just inviting comments. I'm frustrated because I had a pair of pileated woodpeckers in my back yard last week and didn't get one single clear shot. Not much time to practice.

Give it time. Find the sweet spot and play with the custom functions concerning focus on your 7D.

GeneM Loc: Upstate PA

aerides wrote:

My 100-400 is challenging me to get clear hand-held shots (on 7D). It's me, for sure - every now and then I do get sharp images. Maybe I should just give it some more time. Bought a good monopod too, that could help. No clear question here, just inviting comments. I'm frustrated because I had a pair of pileated woodpeckers in my back yard last week and didn't get one single clear shot. Not much time to practice.

I'm not sure what you expect to accomplish, but you're using one of the finest combos of camera/lens that many have been getting good results with. You need to do some PP on your pics. There are many factors involved in getting "sharp" pics right out of the camera.

Here's my take on one of your pics. I used PSE8. Did a little contrast curves adjust and some Unsharp Mask. (Should print nice up to 8x12.) I'd love to get a pic of a Pileated Woodpecker like that, I haven't had an opportunity to see one as close to get it. Don't give up on your equipment. Keep shooting, shooting, shooting. Practice, practice, practice.

After Post Processing in Ps Elements 8

Coker Loc: Havana, IL

Here is a rule most forget about when using a telephoto lens. You have a very nice lens, the challenge might be the shutter speed. Here is the rule - The focal length must equal or be greater than your shutter speed. Example - If you zoom out 300mm the shutter speed must be at 300 or faster. This, of course, is for hand held images.

JayB Loc: Northeast US

TDC223 wrote:

Just another comment. The 100-400 is a little slow at AF, but mine gets a lot of use for wildlife and I am very happy with it. I do find the AF to be accurate. I shoot a lot of wildlife...birds, bears, and other large game. I try to use the 300L IS and 600L IS, but have the 100-400 on another body close by. I have found the 100-400IS has given me some of my best shots. Just curious....what mode do you shoot and how do you have the camera set up?

Aperture preferred. I've taken focus off of my shutter button and was using back button autofocusing which I like a lot in theory, more control, but it will take practice to feel natural. Center spot metering. I was also considering exposure issues I'd been reading about in some Arthur Morris literature and was experimenting with dialing in some incremental exposure compensation. Probably all this stuff running around in my head, together with the excitement of the moment was not helping my steadiness. Together with forgetting to raise up my glasses when I was looking through my camera's corrected viewfinder, and I wonder now how I got any reasonably acceptable shots at all.