When considering purchasing a lens for your APS-C camera, one of the most popular options is the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM. This versatile zoom lens can be a game-changer for wildlife and distant subject photography. However, before making your purchase, it's essential to understand how this lens works with your APS-C camera and whether it's a good fit for your photography needs.
Compatibility and Lens Designations
Canon offers lenses specifically designed for APS-C cameras, denoted with EF-S, and full-frame lenses, which can be marked with either EF or EF-S. Full-frame lenses can be used on APS-C cameras, which means the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM labeled as an EF lens can indeed be mounted on your Canon 77D, an APS-C DSLR.
However, it's crucial to note that there is a 1.6x crop factor for APS-C cameras. This factor affects lens focal lengths. Therefore, the 100-400mm lens will behave as a 160-640mm lens on your APS-C camera, providing a significant telephoto reach that can be extremely useful for detailed wildlife and distant landscape shots.
Performance and Usage
Marked as 'L' class, the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM offers exceptional image quality and stability. The lens does come with its own set of challenges due to its telephoto nature. When shooting at the longer end of the zoom range, you may need to use a higher shutter speed to compensate for the increased likelihood of camera shake during handheld shooting. A suggested minimum shutter speed would be 1/640s to minimize shake, although a tripod would further enhance stability and relieve this burden.
The Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM can excel in various photography genres including wildlife, sports, and distant subjects. That being said, its performance in low light and fast action conditions is less flexible due to its relatively slower maximum aperture compared to lenses with a wider maximum aperture like the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II.
The Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II is the more versatile choice for everyday shooting. Its faster maximum aperture of f/2.8 makes it especially advantageous in low light situations and for fast action, as it allows for more light to enter and offers better control over depth of field. Additionally, the f/2.8 aperture means it can excel in a broader range of shooting conditions, including portraits, indoor events, and sports photography.
Conclusion
In summary, the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM is a fantastic lens for your APS-C camera, but it does come with certain trade-offs. If you are primarily interested in the versatility and fast performance in various shooting conditions, the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II may be a better choice. However, for those looking for an extensive telephoto reach and willing to manage the associated challenges, the 100-400mm lens is undoubtedly a powerful addition to your photography gear.