L Lens swaparound: am I mad or what?

[tikkathreebarrel]

I'm using a 5DII and a 1DII and have no plans to change or replace either body.

On both I use a 100-400L and a 70-200 F4 IS USM L, both occasionally with a 1.4x converter.

I'd say that the 70-200 is probably my favourite lens. Not just fave walkabout but favourite period, as in "Pete you can take one of your lenses to Heaven with you, choose now."
The reach of the 100-400 I'm glad to have at times but it's definitely a lens which comes out on specific occasions where I know I'll need reach.

I continue to have an itch for the 70-200 F2.8 MkII IS USM and my thought is that it could replace both lenses especially if I grab a 2x converter to complement or replace the 1.4x. The 2x converter would give me the same reach as with the 100-400, the faster 70-200 by itself would give me additional low light capability and shorter DoF.

In moments of doubt I tell myself to keep the F4 70-200 as it's a bit lighter but I know that I wouldn't be able to justify keeping two L lenses in exactly the same length.

I've read technical reviews on the web which give me encouragement to proceed but they aren't necessarily the same as real world feedback and especially if you use the F2.8 70-200 with converters I'd love to know what you think.

 

[HoppyUK]

Classic dilemma, one I continue to wrestle with. The 70-200 Mk2 was not available when I sold my 100-400L (foolishly) and got the 70-200L 4 IS. Starting again, I would probably get the 70-200 Mk2 and 2xMk3 extender. Very versatile combo but the Mk2 is a hefty lump when you don't need 2.8 or more than 200mm, ie mostly for me.

A newer option is the 70-300L, great lens that deserves to be more popular, and I'm borrowing one of those for a couple of weeks shortly. It might just be the best overall compromise. Nothing's perfect LOL

Edit: Sigma 120-300 2.8 OS is tempting too!

 

[whom]

Can I ask what it is you don't like about the 100-400? I mean, why choose your 70-200 over it on normal occassions? The reason I ask is because I am planning to sell my 70-200 F/4 non IS to fund a 100-400.

In your shoes I would consider downgrading your F/4 IS to the F/4 non IS then you have a light option to compliment a 70-200 F/2.8 II. You'd be able to get about £300 from the downgrade, coupled with the sale of the 100-400mm you'd have around £1000 towards your mkII....

 

[vulcan2912]

I've been using the MK2 with a 2.0x MK3 recently and I've been pleasantly surprised with the results.The AF slows down a bit but the the package as a whole works pretty well.I've owned numerous 100-400's over the years but the above combo has finally made my mind up to not pick another one up and just wait for the eventual release of the MK2 version of the lens.
No regrets for letting my last 100-400 go to pick up this combo.

Couple of recent shots with the 70-200 mk2 and 3.0X Tcon.

Gary

 

[HoppyUK]

I've been using the MK2 with a 2.0x MK3 recently and I've been pleasantly surprised with the results.The AF slows down a bit but the the package as a whole works pretty well.I've owned numerous 100-400's over the years but the above combo has finally made my mind up to not pick another one up and just wait for the eventual release of the MK2 version of the lens.
No regrets for letting my last 100-400 go to pick up this combo.

Couple of recent shots with the 70-200 mk2 and 3.0X Tcon.

<snip>

Gary

Rowrah! And it's not raining! Great track, beautiful location

Can I ask how the 70-200 Mk2 plus extender works with servo tracking on your 5D3, compared to 100-400L? Thanks.

 

[vulcan2912]

Firstly.Very impressed you can get Rowrah from that picture(unless you have just looked at my website and that would be cheating LOL).


Ah,servo tracking on the 5D3!
This is probably more to do with the 5D3 than either of the lens combos mentioned but I'm finding the 5D3 to be a real pain with things moving directly towards the camera.Side to side is fine but it just won't keep up with anything coming towards me.I probably don't have it set up correctly and would go as far as saying the 7D is outperforming it in that scenario at the minute.I never had these problems with my old 1DMK4.It's been a real struggle with motorsport,birds in flight etc.That's with the 70-200,100-400 and 400 F5.6.
I've read up a bit more on the 5D so hoping I've now got the settings nailed.I'll find out a bit more after I've been down to the BSB at Snetterton next weekend.

cheers
Gary

 

[HoppyUK]

Firstly.Very impressed you can get Rowrah from that picture(unless you have just looked at my website and that would be cheating LOL).


Ah,servo tracking on the 5D3!
This is probably more to do with the 5D3 than either of the lens combos mentioned but I'm finding the 5D3 to be a real pain with things moving directly towards the camera.Side to side is fine but it just won't keep up with anything coming towards me.I probably don't have it set up correctly and would go as far as saying the 7D is outperforming it in that scenario at the minute.I never had these problems with my old 1DMK4.It's been a real struggle with motorsport,birds in flight etc.That's with the 70-200,100-400 and 400 F5.6.
I've read up a bit more on the 5D so hoping I've now got the settings nailed.I'll find out a bit more after I've been down to the BSB at Snetterton next weekend.

cheers
Gary

I guessed Rowrah from your Cumbria location, then it's also in the Exif

Thanks for your comments. Don't want to hi-jack the thread but I guess it's all relevant. Basically my question is, when you fit the extender to the 70-200 Mk2, does the servo tracking take a dive, or is it not noticeably different?

 

[vulcan2912]

Hi Richard

I can't really answer the question I'm afraid.I'm having trouble with the servo tracking with all of my lenses so can't really say if it's worse or not.

cheers
Gary

 

[john_e]

I tried the 70-200 II & 2x III combo with the 5DII a few weeks ago (not the best body to try it with, looking forward to seeing how the 7D does). Was quite pleased with the IQ.

 

[tikkathreebarrel]

Can I ask what it is you don't like about the 100-400? .

Nothing at all really. Perhaps before I make this jump I ought to hide my 70-200 and live with the 100-400 for a while...

I mean, why choose your 70-200 over it on normal occassions? The reason I ask is because I am planning to sell my 70-200 F/4 non IS to fund a 100-400.

In your shoes I would consider downgrading your F/4 IS to the F/4 non IS then you have a light option to compliment a 70-200 F/2.8 II. You'd be able to get about £300 from the downgrade, coupled with the sale of the 100-400mm you'd have around £1000 towards your mkII....

There is an unavoidable weight difference between the two lenses and physically, the 100-400 sticks out a long way but, by virtue of their colour, neither is a statement in inconspicuousness.

Fair comments which have set me thinking, thank you.

 

[tikkathreebarrel]

Firstly.Very impressed you can get Rowrah from that picture(unless you have just looked at my website and that would be cheating LOL).


Ah,servo tracking on the 5D3!
This is probably more to do with the 5D3 than either of the lens combos mentioned but I'm finding the 5D3 to be a real pain with things moving directly towards the camera.Side to side is fine but it just won't keep up with anything coming towards me.I probably don't have it set up correctly and would go as far as saying the 7D is outperforming it in that scenario at the minute.I never had these problems with my old 1DMK4.It's been a real struggle with motorsport,birds in flight etc.That's with the 70-200,100-400 and 400 F5.6.
I've read up a bit more on the 5D so hoping I've now got the settings nailed.I'll find out a bit more after I've been down to the BSB at Snetterton next weekend.

cheers
Gary

Thanks for your input and the above honest comments too. I can see why with a nice new 5D3 you'd not want to leave it at home and try to work through these tracking issues but I wonder if you'd get the same problem with a 1D body?

 

[tikkathreebarrel]

I tried the 70-200 II & 2x III combo with the 5DII a few weeks ago (not the best body to try it with, looking forward to seeing how the 7D does). Was quite pleased with the IQ.

Yes I could live with those results too. I'm definitely not up for a body change so now I'm thinking there shouldn't be a problem with a 1.4x extender either.

 

[whom]

Nothing at all really. Perhaps before I make this jump I ought to hide my 70-200 and live with the 100-400 for a while...

There is an unavoidable weight difference between the two lenses and physically, the 100-400 sticks out a long way but, by virtue of their colour, neither is a statement in inconspicuousness.

Fair comments which have set me thinking, thank you.

Well if the weight difference has you reaching for the F/4, the 2.8 IS II is 100g more than the 100-400. It is pretty much the same size too.

The f/4 non is sharp and can get very decent results with a 1.4x. I'd like to keep mine and get a 100-400 as another lens but can't really justify it. I'd always take two lenses over one haha

Good luck making a decision!

 

[tikkathreebarrel]

Well if the weight difference has you reaching for the F/4, the 2.8 IS II is 100g more than the 100-400. It is pretty much the same size too.

The f/4 non is sharp and can get very decent results with a 1.4x. I'd like to keep mine and get a 100-400 as another lens but can't really justify it. I'd always take two lenses over one haha

Good luck making a decision!

As I keep trying to make my wife understand, weight by itself isn't an issue, it's performance that matters most and as I can handle the weight...

 

[whom]

As I keep trying to make my wife understand, weight by itself isn't an issue, it's performance that matters most and as I can handle the weight...

Well, I recall another criticism being " sticks out a long way " and something about the colour....

 

[tikkathreebarrel]

Well, I recall another criticism being " sticks out a long way " and something about the colour....

Not really a criticism more a statement of fact, made in the context of inconspicuity.

 

[tikkathreebarrel]

Right. We're off to an MG Car Club rally tomorrow. Kit will be 1DII, 100 - 400 and I'll chuck the 1.4x extender in and we'll see how we get on. Should be good territory for it: plenty of daylight, movement...