Canon EF300 f4 vs Canon EF400 f5.6

Gaz J

Gaz J

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Gary
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I've got a 300 f4 and currently have it up for sale. My plan was to replace it with the 400 f5.6. My reasoning behind this is I've recently bought a 5D MkIII and will be selling my 1D MkIV shortly.

I've always thought the 300 is a great little lens but the IS is a bit long in the tooth now and I hardly ever switch it on. The AF is also a bit on the slow side. The 400 has a reputation for being as sharp and much quicker with its AF.

Anyone got or had both who could share their views would be great.

Thanks in advance

Gaz
 
Gaz,

I bought a 400 f/5.6 in January this year and I quickly found that it was not right for me. I recently bought a 300 f/4 which I feel gives me a bit more flexibility with a 1.4 extender attached + IS.
 
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The 400 AFs faster than the 300 and is a very sharp lens. If you need the extra reach the the 400 is a good choice but be aware that the minimum focus distance is 3.5m (compared to 1.5m on the 300) so if you like to shoot insects with the 300 the 400 is not such a good choice. There have been rumours of a 100-400 mkII for many years so I wouldn't assume it is actually going to arrive any time soon.
 
I had both, the 400 is sharper and gives faster af.
Rob.
 
I've owned both and had some great results from both. The 300/4 served me we'll for a couple of years, but much preferred the 400/5.6 even without the IS. I used it for aviation stuff mostly so high shutter speeds meant I didn't notice lack if IS. Some of my sharpest images were with this lens and that's after subsequently upgrading to a Canon 300/2.8 & 500/4.
 
I'd say it depends what you shoot, if it's butterflies et all, then you'd be better off keeping the 300 F4 for the shorter minimum focus distance (as has been said) and getting a 1.4 TC. On both my bodies 7D and 1DMiii, the AF does slow, but in good light it's very usable.
 
I had both. I sold both to buy a 300mm F2.8

I have since decided the 300mm F2.8 was not getting the use it deserved, so sold it again. I bought the 400mm F5,6

I found it such a joy to use when I previously had one, and it still is. Fast AF, light, sharp. I always regretted selling my first.
 
Thanks for the replies. I've just started having a dabble at fast jets. The weapon of choice amongst those guys seems to be 300 f2.8 but to buy that I'd have to sell my 500.Several wildlife photographers i know are going down the 300 f2.8 plus converters. I'm not convinced about that route.

Thought the 400 would be a good middle road.
 
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