C300: Canon 100-400 (mk I): Smoth Zooming while recording and pulling focus

A

AlexNOR

Active member
Hi guys

Wondering if anyone of you have any experience with the Canon 100-400 (the older mark I version) and zooming in/out at the same times as pulling focus? The push-pull design allows you to grab the focus ring and hold onto it while zooming the lens, but do you get a smooth enough action so you can use it while recording?
 
Alex,

I would say it's close to impossible to pull that 100-400 smooth enough to be acceptable for use throughout the whole range. You might be able to get useable small zooms by pushing the outter barrel with your thumb where it meets the inner barrel, but I'm talking like 20-30mm push ins.

That goes for most DSLR Zoom lenses, their mechanisms were just not designed for smooth consistent zooms like Cinema Zooms and Broadcast lenses are.
 
I have tried the 100-400 version 1.0 zooming. However, that is with the DPAF enabled. Else it is simply not possible to zoom in or out the entire range and pull focus.

Also please note that you need to be practice a bit as the zoom extends. IF you are looking through the LCD, then it is a bit easier as you know how much focal length is left to zoom in/out. While looking through the EVF, I found that I was fumbling a bit.
 
Macaholic said:
Alex,

I would say it's close to impossible to pull that 100-400 smooth enough to be acceptable for use throughout the whole range. You might be able to get useable small zooms by pushing the outter barrel with your thumb where it meets the inner barrel, but I'm talking like 20-30mm push ins.

That goes for most DSLR Zoom lenses, their mechanisms were just not designed for smooth consistent zooms like Cinema Zooms and Broadcast lenses are.
Click to expand...

Thanks Macaholic, that doesn't sound to good. I was really hoping that the push-pull design would be the answer to this. Oh well, at least I don't have to buy the lens now to get disappointed.

indiawilds said:
I have tried the 100-400 version 1.0 zooming. However, that is with the DPAF enabled. Else it is simply not possible to zoom in or out the entire range and pull focus.

Also please note that you need to be practice a bit as the zoom extends. IF you are looking through the LCD, then it is a bit easier as you know how much focal length is left to zoom in/out. While looking through the EVF, I found that I was fumbling a bit.
Click to expand...

Thanks indiawilds for your comment. Too bad about the 100-400. I have also experimented a bit with zooming using DPAF with my 70-200, though I need more practice as I find myself fumbling a bit (especially if I lose focus and it racks out to infinity and back). I relocated the grip so I can hold on to it when I'm using a tripod and have the focus stop at hand, but even so I find myself reaching for the focus ring quite often when I don't want to center the subject.


Thanks guys.
 
AlexNOR said:
Thanks Macaholic, that doesn't sound to good. I was really hoping that the push-pull design would be the answer to this. Oh well, at least I don't have to buy the lens now to get disappointed.



Thanks indiawilds for your comment. Too bad about the 100-400. I have also experimented a bit with zooming using DPAF with my 70-200, though I need more practice as I find myself fumbling a bit (especially if I lose focus and it racks out to infinity and back). I relocated the grip so I can hold on to it when I'm using a tripod and have the focus stop at hand, but even so I find myself reaching for the focus ring quite often when I don't want to center the subject.


Thanks guys.
Click to expand...

Sometimes using the face recognition may work too
 
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