Canon 100-400 mark II
3 modes of IS
Mode 1 – Standard IS mode designed for use with stationary subjects when the Canon 100-400 IS ii & the camera is handheld
Mode 2 – is used for panning with a subject. In this mode, only 1 axis of stabilization is provided – allowing a linearly-moving subject to be tracked. Up and down movement tend to be difficult to track
Mode 3 – is great for action photography. In Mode 3, image stabilization is active and ready for use the moment the shutter releases, but actual stabilization is not in effect until that precise time. You are able to follow your erratically-moving subjects without fighting against image stabilization The IS system auto-senses a tripod in use
Quick Auto focus The zoom is a quick performer, taking about 0.15 seconds to lock onto the subject when mounted on the Canon EOS 5D Mark III.
Focussing
A completely new inner-focusing system has been implemented in this lens.
A 2-position focus limiter switch is provided, allowing focusing distances to be limited to a specific distance range (9.84’/3m – 8) – or to be unlimited (Full). Limiting the focus distance range can improve focus lock times and reduce focus hunting.
This lens is not parfocal, meaning that refocusing is required after zooming. This is especially true at short focus distances where the subjects very obviously go into and out of focus during zooming. Using the near-parfocal feature of this lens is helpful for video recording while adjusting focal lengths. Video shooters will definitely appreciate the fact that subjects do not significantly change in size as they go in and out of focus
Polariser users will be happy that the 77mm filter thread doesn’t rotate on focus.
Decreased Minimum Focus Distance (MFD) This lens has an MFD of 980mm. (earlier lens MFD was 1800mm)
Increased Magnification This lens has a magnification of 0.31x. (earlier lens MFD was 0.2x)
Build – This is a solidly built lens
The 100-400 II’s front and rear lens surfaces are fluorine coated to reduce water droplet, dust and fingerprint adhesion and to ease the cleaning effort required. This coating works great – the difference is noticeable.
Push Pull Zoom replaced with rotational zoom – The rotating zoom ring gives more precise adjustment between focal lengths. The ring comes with a zoom torque adjustment ring allowing you to set the zoom ring from “Smooth” to “Tight” to suit your particular way of shooting.
The final control on the lens barrel is a focus mode switch with the usual AF/MF settings. Note that this lens usefully offers full-time manual focusing even when AF is selected.
Lens elements It has 21 lens elements in 16 groups (up from 17/14) into a telephoto lens design
Air Sphere Coating The new Air Sphere Coating (ASC) had been introduced on this lens. According to Canon: “The new Air Sphere Coating has been developed by Canon to minimise reflections and flare.
In the nutshell : The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II is a worthy replacement to the original 100-400. Not to forget the original 100-400 continues to be a great lens. Accord Equips Rentals India continues to to find users of the earlier and the new lens
