After 2 years of saving $ and finally deciding which lens would best suit my needs, I ordered a new Canon 100-400LII on Friday and it's on the truck to be delivered today!! I'm very excited!! When I first started saving for a lens, I was sure it would be the 70-200 f/2.8LII, but after getting a great refurb deal on the 24-105, I started wondering if I'd be happy with only another 95mm in reach. Then, the new 100-400 came out... I still had to decide which I needed/wanted more - speed or reach. Since I shoot more outside, I went with reach. I also reached out to a fellow UHH forum member for his advice, and coupled with reading all of the various threads here, I feel I made the wisest decision for me. I'd still love that 70-200 some day, buy maybe version I. Thank you, everyone, for posting your various questions and concerns about different lenses. I read them all, and it really helped my thinking process! :)

After 2 years of saving $ and finally deciding which lens would best suit my needs, I ordered a new Canon 100-400LII on Friday and it's on the truck to be delivered today!! I'm very excited!! When I first started saving for a lens, I was sure it would be the 70-200 f/2.8LII, but after getting a great refurb deal on the 24-105, I started wondering if I'd be happy with only another 95mm in reach. Then, the new 100-400 came out... I still had to decide which I needed/wanted more - speed or reach. Since I shoot more outside, I went with reach. I also reached out to a fellow UHH forum member for his advice, and coupled with reading all of the various threads here, I feel I made the wisest decision for me. I'd still love that 70-200 some day, buy maybe version I. Thank you, everyone, for posting your various questions and concerns about different lenses. I read them all, and it really helped my thinking process! :)

After 2 years of saving $ and finally deciding which lens would best suit my needs, I ordered a new Canon 100-400LII on Friday and it's on the truck to be delivered today!! I'm very excited!! When I first started saving for a lens, I was sure it would be the 70-200 f/2.8LII, but after getting a great refurb deal on the 24-105, I started wondering if I'd be happy with only another 95mm in reach. Then, the new 100-400 came out... I still had to decide which I needed/wanted more - speed or reach. Since I shoot more outside, I went with reach. I also reached out to a fellow UHH forum member for his advice, and coupled with reading all of the various threads here, I feel I made the wisest decision for me. I'd still love that 70-200 some day, buy maybe version I. Thank you, everyone, for posting your various questions and concerns about different lenses. I read them all, and it really helped my thinking process! :)

I'll give you the short response, Jim Bob. Whereas I feel genuinely happy and excited for folks who share their excitement in adding to their camera gear, I realize there are some people out there who are of a different nature. I shared my post because I wanted folks on this forum to know that their postings have really helped me in making my decision. It's good to read why people are pleased with their new lenses and cameras, and good to read how they are using their gear. It helps in making an informed decision on certain things. It's not an "in your face, I got a new lens" type of posting!!!!

PattyW60,

Something I wanted to share with you about the EF 100-400L II or maybe it's just my EF 100-400L II lens.

I shoot a lot of birds and I sold my EF 400 f/5.6L prime to help pay for the 100-400 II. One thing I noticed happening a lot that never happened with the 400 prime is, as soon as I'd get a focus lock, and the lens focuses really fast, many of the birds I was targeting would fly away, as if something was warning them.

I don't know if the lens is producing some sort of sound and the hood is acting as a megaphone, blasting this sound toward the unsuspecting bird, or it's just a coincidence but I don't recall this happening with the 400 prime, which was a far simpler lens.

I've read postings that say the lens is silent and it is not. I can hear the IS mechanism activate and I can hear the lens focus but I doubt if someone 2 feet away could hear it.

Probably just my imagination, but I wanted to share anyway, just in case it really is the lens.

Bottom line, I am very happy with the lens and the resulting photos I've taken with it. I usually have 2 cameras set up when I'm birding, one with the 100-400L II and one on a tripod with a Sigma 150-600 S. The two bodies I use are the 7DII and the 5Dsr and I rotate the bodies between the lenses. If I'm trying to get birds in flight the 7DII has the 100-400 mounted, the 5Dsr is too slow.

Enjoy your new lens and let me know if you notice what I've noticed.

Thanks for the heads-up. I'll let you know if I notice anything like what you've described. :)

PattyW60,

Something I wanted to share with you about the EF 100-400L II or maybe it's just my EF 100-400L II lens.

I shoot a lot of birds and I sold my EF 400 f/5.6L prime to help pay for the 100-400 II. One thing I noticed happening a lot that never happened with the 400 prime is, as soon as I'd get a focus lock, and the lens focuses really fast, many of the birds I was targeting would fly away, as if something was warning them.

I don't know if the lens is producing some sort of sound and the hood is acting as a megaphone, blasting this sound toward the unsuspecting bird, or it's just a coincidence but I don't recall this happening with the 400 prime, which was a far simpler lens.

I've read postings that say the lens is silent and it is not. I can hear the IS mechanism activate and I can hear the lens focus but I doubt if someone 2 feet away could hear it.

Probably just my imagination, but I wanted to share anyway, just in case it really is the lens.

Bottom line, I am very happy with the lens and the resulting photos I've taken with it. I usually have 2 cameras set up when I'm birding, one with the 100-400L II and one on a tripod with a Sigma 150-600 S. The two bodies I use are the 7DII and the 5Dsr and I rotate the bodies between the lenses. If I'm trying to get birds in flight the 7DII has the 100-400 mounted, the 5Dsr is too slow.

Enjoy your new lens and let me know if you notice what I've noticed.