What a sweet lens! I just took it out for it's maiden shoot today. Fastest lens BY FAR in my bag, and I have many (all "L" series) lenses! All these are hand held on the 1DsMII:

http://CatcherofLight.smugmug.com/photos/216915934-X3.jpg

http://CatcherofLight.smugmug.com/photos/216916466-X3.jpg

http://CatcherofLight.smugmug.com/photos/216916831-X3.jpg

http://CatcherofLight.smugmug.com/photos/216916651-X3.jpg

http://CatcherofLight.smugmug.com/photos/216916038-X3.jpg

I wouldn't think F/4 would be that fast? Great pictures.

Those are some fine pictures, Jeff

Great Indeed

Lovely images, the colours are superb.

Canon_Bob - let's keep it our secret :p

I bet your arms and back are loving it after lugging that 600mm around. Don't know how it balances on your 1DsMkII, but it handles great on my 30D - amazingly light but solid. I'm curious if you found the close focusing ability of this lens as great an asset as I have.

The 300mmF4L IS is the only lens I currently have that I would not hesitate to buy again if I lost all my gear.

Great series Canon Bob , I can clearly see that your truly enjoying your new lens :)

Canon_Bob - let's keep it our secret :p

I bet your arms and back are loving it after lugging that 600mm around. Don't know how it balances on your 1DsMkII, but it handles great on my 30D - amazingly light but solid. I'm curious if you found the close focusing ability of this lens as great an asset as I have.

The 300mmF4L IS is the only lens I currently have that I would not hesitate to buy again if I lost all my gear.

It was a VERY welcome break from carrying the 600mm! This lens is simply fantastic. I knew it was good (as so many who own it rave about it), but had no idea it was THAT good! I've got a lot of great lenses, but this one really stands out. I've heard the 400 f/5.6 is very good as well. On the 1DsMII body, the focusing aquisition is lightning fast. I had a flock of skimmers go by, and I was able to lock focus on multiple birds in the flock as they went by and I changed my target bird! The 100-400 and the 70-200 cannot even think about trying that trick! In all likelihood, this lens will be mounted to a 1DMIII as soon as they can convince me that the focusing issues reported either don't exist, or have been fixed. The 1DsMII will probably be mainly used on the 600, and I'll carry both. The short focusing distance is a wonderful attribute for sure!

The ironic part is that the guy who sold it to me ($825.00 - mint condition) said it wasn't very good for wildlife! Hmmm, I think he might be wrong :-)

[QUOTE=The ironic part is that the guy who sold it to me ($825.00 - mint condition) said it wasn't very good for wildlife! Hmmm, I think he might be wrong :-)[/QUOTE]

Another reminder that there is more to great nature shots than the lens. You obviously have talent. Thanks for sharing these wonderful images.

Loving that ruddy turnstone Bob.

Loving that ruddy turnstone Bob.

Thanks Paul. Interesting bird. First time I had seen one. I laid down for optimal POV, and he came right out in front of me and put on quite a show. Was fun watching him turn over rocks and shells looking for food. Here's a couple more:

http://CatcherofLight.smugmug.com/photos/216916747-X3.jpg

http://CatcherofLight.smugmug.com/photos/217439115-X3.jpg

Ahhhh, the wing stretch :D

They winter in FL, you should see them in fresh breeding plumage :wink:

Ahhhh, the wing stretch :D

They winter in FL, you should see them in fresh breeding plumage :wink:

That would be cool. Saw a pic in the bird book. Pretty cool.

I seen a few in march a few years ago in breeding plumage on the causeway over to Sanibel

I love the lower POV on the last two. The wing stretch is very nice.

When you get tired of using your 600mm, you can always send it up to me :p

I love the lower POV on the last two. The wing stretch is very nice.

When you get tired of using your 600mm, you can always send it up to me :p

LOL - Tired of using the 600mm? I don't think so :D :D

I had that one with me too on this trip:

http://CatcherofLight.smugmug.com/photos/217437407-X3.jpg

Superb shots Bob!! I'm curious, do you use any filters for your wildlife shots? Everything seems to be exposed perfectly.
Thanks for sharing!:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Absolutely stunning shots, that third one with the ant is wonderful as is the wing stretch shot.

Superb shots Bob!! I'm curious, do you use any filters for your wildlife shots? Everything seems to be exposed perfectly.
Thanks for sharing!:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Nope. No filters. I don't believe in them. Never have figured out why I'd want to put a $100.00 piece of plate glass over a $2000.00 to $8000.00 lens.

I live and die by the histogram. I check it every chance I get. I don't even check my images on the LCD screen. I know if the histogram is right, the images will be fine.

Thanks for the compliments!

You guys are making my wife cry. Everytime I see images like those I start looking at lenses. She is a little concerned about me spending $6K on a new lens....(cuz I am gonna follow it up with $3K on a new body :D )

Hmmm...If I downgrade the boat....

R.