Canon 400mm/5.6 L sample images sought

Hi folks

There is a strong chance this will be my next lens purchase, however I am keen to see some 'real' shots, not heavily post-processed shots. I would love to see how this lens performs in less than ideal conditions eg white/overcast skies, birds in heavy foliage etc. Would also like to see samples taken with and without a monopod for support (at this stage really after hand held shots as I dont use a tripod myself). Feel free to contact me privately.

The lens will mainly be used for birds and wildlife. I already use a 300mm L (with 1.4x teleconverter) and a third party 400mm with which I am restricted to f5.6. I have also heard the Canon 400mm is good for birds in flight!

Thanks in advance.

I just recently bought that lens and am using it on a 30D. Still trying to get a handle on the whole Canon thing after years and years with Minolta but I think this lens is a keeper. It is fast and accurate for shooting birds in flight. As a f5.6 it does need good light but I have already managed some good shots with in poor lighting. The eagle shots posted at this site came on an overcast day handholding this lens.

Also, if you go to my pbase account and go through the bird gallery you will find eagles, barn owls, sea gulls, and kestrels all taken with it in the past week or so.

www.pbase.com/jhuddle/birds

Thanks Jim - enjoyed looking at your images! The fact that the lens is good for action/birds in flight has got my attention as I have experienced some frustrations with my current lenses (one is obviously slowed down because of the teleconverter attached).

A couple of places I visit are brilliant for flying birds.
Quite open and generally good light.

Have you used the lens with a teleconverter and if so how did you find the performance?

No teleconvertor with the 400 yet. I just bought the body and lens about two weeks ago. My main system is still Minolta so it will take me awhile to build up the Canon gear. I have seen images taken with this lens and the 1.4x and they are still high quality. Go to dpreview and go into the Canon forums and look at Daniella's bird shots. She uses this lens and takes amazing pictures.

Thanks! She takes some great shots and I have bookmarked her site, to keep me inspired to get that new lens.

I have found someone who is going to test their 400mm with a couple different teleconverters for me (Canon TC versus non Canon which I have). I expect I would be using the lens with my monopod a fair bit.

I have since spoken to a few different people, all sing the praises of the lens but also say to get the most from it one really needs to use a tripod (lack of IS etc).

That is fine for someone who likes to stay put and not move around alot but alot of my photography is out in the field/bush and I move around ALOT so a tripod just is not practical. So now I am contemplating the 100-400mm as well.

Difficult decision and I may even continue to use my current lenses for a while longer...

Like you I prefer to work wildlife without the tripod. That is the advantage of my Minolta 7D with it's built in image stabilization. Most times it will give the extra little help I need to get the image without a tripod. But as I get familiar with the Canon 400 f/5.6 it can be hand held if you have good light.
This is an unprocessed (just cropped) RAW test shot from yesterday handheld:
http://www.pbase.com/jhuddle/image/73138205.jpg
This was shot handheld in the field and it worked even though it was a very dark overcast day. Just had to punch up the ISO and shoot a wider aperture than I wanted:
http://www.pbase.com/jhuddle/image/72054501.jpg
In the field I also use whatever I can to steady the gear. Put the lens against a tree, kneel, shooters stance, hold breathe, etc. to get a sharp image.

Thanks Jim!
I have been browsing your pbase site and remembering my own visits to Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau! Just about to browse some of your wildlife (love the Barn Owl fly by!)