Canon 400 f5.6 to 300 f2.8????

[Liam]

Hi,

I currently have a 400mm f5.6 on a 40D, I love it but it restricts me to only being able to use it for wildlife and it has to be sunny

I was therefore thinking of getting a 300mm f2.8 (non is) I would then get a 1.4 extender when funds allow. This would enable me to get back into sport photography when I go to uni in september.

Has anyone done anything similar or is there a better option??


Thanks

 

[Tobers]

You should be able to pick up a 300 2.8 non IS for £1300-£1500. I did exactly this. It's an excellent lens, somewhat heavy but with crystal-clear image quality. Hand holding it is possible for short periods but it is a bit of a beast - I use mine with a monopod most of the time.

It works very well with a 1.4x extender though you'll get even better results with the ability to micro-adjust the focus (I dont think the 40D does this - time for a new body ). My 300 2.8 front-focuses consistently which I've put down to it being a bit old, bit the micro-focus adjustment brings it into lovely sharpness. You only notice it at 2.8 and it's only inches out of perfect focus, and often you wont even realise as the depth of field will be enough to encompass a complete player's body thickness unless they are porky pie eaters or a prop.

The lens itself focuses superbly, so fast and accurate it's uncanny that it can be moving that much glass around so quickly.

Do note that Canon wont service/repair it, but there are places that will. I wandered into a nice little treasure trove of a shop near the British Museum in London the other week (cant remember the name but it wasn't Aperture) and they said they'll happily fix them and they have quite a few spares available. It is a drawback, but then you're saving £2000 on new.

Ensure you get it insured as well.

 

[Liam]

Ok, thanks for all the advice. I know about the repair issue, I just feel a bit restricted with my 400 even though its a great lens.

I also like the idea of having a proper canon super-tele

 

[pete.rush]

OK, I have the IS version, but as Tobers said, the 1.4x TC works fantastically well with the 300mm f2.8

as for weight issue, definitely not as heavy as the 400mm f2.8, personally very hand holdable at 2.5kg, the non IS version only a little heavier, great lens if you can find one in good condition.

 

[Liam]

Ok, I would love to have a 400 f2.8 but even a mk1 is around the 2k mark which is to much. I was hoping to get a 300 2.8 for around 1.2k - 1.5k so might take a while to find one in bad condition

Are there any other lenses I should consider, primes only...????