Having very recently upgraded to the Canon EOS 7D Mark II, today I added the latest Canon lens to my kit. It’s the EF 100-400mm f/4-5.6L IS II USM lens (don’t you love those catchy names). It’s a step up from the vintage ‘pump’ 100-400 that I’ve been using, and the first upgrade to that lens since Canon introduced it in around 1996. Main differences? It’s a twist zoom, rather than a push-pull zoom, it boasts 4 stops of image stabilisation (as opposed to 1.5), there are three IS modes, and a much improved minimum focus distance of just under 1 metre. Plus almost two decades of other technical improvements in lens technology.

I’ve not had much time to really work with it yet, so here are just a handful of sample shots taken earlier today. The starling was high in a tree at the end of our garden, and these are all moderately heavy crops.

Starling taken on the Canon 7D Mark II and 100-400mm Mark II combination.

Starling taken on the Canon 7D Mark II and 100-400mm Mark II combination.

Starling taken on the Canon 7D Mark II and 100-400mm Mark II combination.

Starling taken on the Canon 7D Mark II and 100-400mm Mark II combination.

Starling taken on the Canon 7D Mark II and 100-400mm Mark II combination.

The camera/lens Mark II combination is likely to become the staple kit for many wildlife enthusiasts. First impressions of using them together are very positive. The lens is super responsive, and seems very sharp even wide open. It’s slightly heavier than the previous version (but not too much so). I’ve yet to try it with the 1.4x teleconverter, but I expect that to play extremely well with them. Needless to say, there will be many pictures with this combo over the coming weeks and months.

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens.