C100: Auto focus upgrade with the 100-400L

[mtnski]

I use the 100-400L a lot for wildlife and there are times when auto focus would really help.
Has anyone tried this or has the lens and the upgrade and would be willing to try for me?
Thanks,

 

[bengiles]

If you can hang on, we'll have a C100 back with the upgrade, early next week.

I'll be trying our whole L lens collection, including the 100-400, and will post back.

Ben.

 

[mtnski]

Thanks Ben, looking forward to your report.
Owen

 

[bengiles]

Here goes.

Handheld with a 100-400. Quick and dirty, I'm afraid - bits of junk on a window sill, but hopefully gives you an idea for now. Where it really hunts for focus, I was probably just under the minimum focus distance of 1.8m. I've left sound on, on the internal mics, so you can hear the focus servo whirring away, if servo noise is s a concern to you.

Ben.

 

[iggy097]

Ben, would you have heard that with a shotgun mic mounted on cam, like my setup here? -

 

[bengiles]

Ben, would you have heard that with a shotgun mic mounted on cam, like my setup here? -

Hard to say - will depend on the off-axis rejection capabilities of the mic.

The servo isn't doing anything post-upgrade that it wouldn't do before, so I'd suggest you try it with your lens AF switched on and hit the One Shot AF button on the front, get it to do some focus pulls and find out if it's coming through on your shotgun track.

Ben.

 

[mtnski]

Thanks a lot for the test Ben. Looks pretty good.
Doubt I'll be close to the minimum focus distance too often when shooting wildlife.
Owen

 

[bengiles]

Not if it's the kind of wildlife that wants to eat you...

Ben.