No one talks about this lens much, but it’s one of my favorites. It’s sharper, faster, and lighter weight than the Canon 100-400mm and the close focusing ability is nice to have. It’s an excellent travel or hiking telephoto lens and my favorite “zoo” lens in combination with the 1.4x teleconverter. If I know I’ll be shooting 300-400 range I prefer that combination to the 100-400mm. Like the Canon 200mm f/2.8, this lens is one of those great Canon lenses that many people never try, but those who do try it out, rent it again and again…or buy their own.
January, 2013