Posted by Ott Luuk on January 13, 2007 at 10:53 AM
I just received my new Canon 400/5.6L lens (a big woohoo! on many accounts - can`t wait to test it out)
Anyway, a thing I noticed: this is a recent production lens and although it`s an old design (10+ years I think), it`s been fitted with the new AF/MF and AF limiter switches - as those on the 70-200/4 IS I think. The new switches are flat and have only small ribs instead of one higher ridge for grip. They somewhat resemble the old design that was used on AFD drive lenses like the 50/2.5 macro.
I thought it might interest some that Canon are retrofitting the new switches to older lens designs.
Does anyone have an idea why they tried to fix something that was working OK? While OK with bare hands, i found the new swicthes almost impossible to use with my gloves. And I only tried it indoors with warm hands...
My guess is the older switches were more prone to getting bumped. To me this is bad news. I liked the older ones much better. They are easier to locate and operate with little effort, especially when wearing gloves.
Guy
Posted by Frank Winters on January 13, 2007 at 11:16 AM
Engineers seem to always want to make things 'better, but they sometimes forget the adage 'better is the enemy of good!'
Posted by Ott Luuk on January 13, 2007 at 11:35 AM
I never seemed to bump anything out of place with the old-style switches... grrr...
I remember an article by the famous Finnish bird shooter Hannu Hautala where he said he had his Canon lens switches modified so he could use them in arctic weather. He also complained about the switches breaking - I guess he doesn`t baby his gear.
I should probably add that this is a minor nuisance and overall the lens appears to be well built and a pleasure to handle.
Posted by Terry Sohl on January 13, 2007 at 4:01 PM
There have been a few times since I've had my 400 5.6L that I have indeed bumped the limiter switch, and cursed as the lens wouldn't focus closer until I realized the switch moved. Overall though, you're right, the design of the switches was just fine. I nearly always have on gloves while I shoot for about half the year here, and have never had any trouble moving the older style limiter switch, or changing between auto and manual focus (same style of switch).
Discussion
4 repliesAnyway, a thing I noticed: this is a recent production lens and although it`s an old design (10+ years I think), it`s been fitted with the new AF/MF and AF limiter switches - as those on the 70-200/4 IS I think. The new switches are flat and have only small ribs instead of one higher ridge for grip. They somewhat resemble the old design that was used on AFD drive lenses like the 50/2.5 macro.
I thought it might interest some that Canon are retrofitting the new switches to older lens designs.
Does anyone have an idea why they tried to fix something that was working OK? While OK with bare hands, i found the new swicthes almost impossible to use with my gloves.
Guy
I remember an article by the famous Finnish bird shooter Hannu Hautala where he said he had his Canon lens switches modified so he could use them in arctic weather. He also complained about the switches breaking - I guess he doesn`t baby his gear.
I should probably add that this is a minor nuisance and overall the lens appears to be well built and a pleasure to handle.