100-400 Lens Results

Following on from Ann's comparison of the 100-400/4L and 300/2.8L lenses, I'm posting some of my own.  When I first used the 100-400 I confess I was disappointed by its sharpness - it was very versatile, but generated a large number of "almost" shots.  I finally realised that the poor results were due to an inappropriate technique: namely, sampling focus from one part of the scene, recomposing and then quickly firing the shutter.  I'm convinced that there is some kind of "lag" in the image stabilisation, as the lens is razor sharp when the IS is given time to settle (or turned off with the lens on a tripod or some other kind of support).

Anyway, here are three examples of sharp images, and one which demonstrated the classic "shimmer" which seems to be due to firing the shutter before the IS has settled down.  All are 100% crops which have been through the RAW converter and basic sharpening in Photoshop.

The relevant inside leg measurements are:

• Starling:  170mm; 1/250s at f/8; ISO 200; 40D
• Tiger:  330mm; 1/500s at f/8; ISO 400; 5DmkII
• Impala:  400mm; 1/800s at f/8; ISO 250; 40D
• Elephant:  400mm; 1/400s at f/8; ISO 200; 40D

The golden rule seems to be that one needs to slow down when using the 100-400.  Treated with respect it is capable of some excellent results.

Grantchester Exhibition: All over bar the shouting

Back at work now, and the Easter "holiday" is a fading memory.  Friday was spent setting up the exhibition, followed by three full days open to the general public.  The weather wasn't especially kind to us, so the number of visitors was down on what we had hoped - especially Monday, which was very quiet.  It was great that Harriet was able to join us too, and her exquisite textile art was much admired by all the visitors.

Back at work now, unfortunately...

Grantchester Exhibition

There is an exhibition in Grantchester Village Hall over the Easter weekend, and I am joining forces with three other photographers, a textile artist, a jeweller and a painter.  Much of the last month has been spent preparing for the exhibition, which explains the pitiful number of entries on the blog during this period!