new canon supertelephoto lenses!..views plse!

mickeyt · 22 Apr 2012

hi..Ive decided to take the plunge and buy one of the new canon telephoto lenses..I want to use it for wildlife photography and sports(fast action lens needed)..but ,I don't want something thats impossible to lug around so it won't get used.(the current ef 500 is just too heavy for my liking)...even wanting to take it abroad..ive sold a load of lenses to pay for this new lens, but!!..undecided on which one ..would appreciate your view to get the best one please...part of me says go for the 300 with the 2 x tc mk3 and then step up next year if the reach isn't enough....i prefer handheld but the new 500 is much lighter!.ahhh!!..need to make the right choice!

so the choice is the new Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM

or EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM

both look like cracking lenses..the 500's out next month .

so ..for portability..all round (would use tc's as well),lens that id use for all purposes ..even yachting photography which I'm keen on,what would you advise plse?...ill be using the new 5d mk3 and have the new tc mk3 x 2 and 1.4.

thanks

:bang:

mike.

pete.rush · 22 Apr 2012

What about the MKI versions of the same lenses, both are still great lenses and significantly less in financial terms to the MKII versions.

Being very impressed with my 300mm f2.8 IS, takes the 1.4x TC and 2x TC although must admit only the MKII versions of the TC and been very impressed. Even managed to stack the 1.4x and 2x TC together on a 20D and still got impressive results, mind you, the light conditions were in the African bush, so no light pollution. Although the 500mm f4, especially for aviation and wildlife does really appeal, but if I did have the funds, it would be the MKI version (used) rather than the MKII.

mickeyt · 22 Apr 2012

thanks pete..its one of the two new versions for me as I've literally sold everything to finance one or half credit on interest free..so still undecided!..ive trialed both the mk1s..the 300 was better for me there as the 500 was just way too heavy and didn't like my tc mk 3..had to manual focus of the tripod....but with the reduction in weight ,this now becomes a very real proposition to carry around me thinks...however ..travelling abroad it may make sense to get the 300 as its so portable!!...cheers.

pete.rush · 22 Apr 2012

Impressed with the 300mm f2.8 MKI, great lens and easily hand holdable and works well with the MKII TC's, even the 1.4x and 2x TC stacked in the right conditions.

300mm F2.8 (MKI) + 1.4x and 2x TC (MKII) stacked

Canon 300mm f2.8 + 1.4 or 2x TC (MKII)

Of course with everything, you need the right conditions to get the best results, but its an easier lens to put into your hand luggage in terms of size over the 500mm f4. The MKI was good 10 (very), so the MKII must be 11 (spinal tap

)

mickeyt · 22 Apr 2012

amazing..cheers matey...I pleased ur a fan of the 300..ur results are truly stunning!...thanks for ur advise.

mike

pooley · 22 Apr 2012

Either will be more than up to the task IQ wise, if it was my decision, it would come down to what you plan on shooting most. The 300mm is the most versitile due to the converters, but if your main interest is wildlife, then 300mm on a FF body is short for a lot of subjects, and you will find yourself getting your moneys worth out of your converters.

Both lenses are heavy, but you will get used to the weight after a while.

Personally I would forget the weight issue and go with a 400mm f2.8 and both 1.4 and 2x converters, but thats in the knowledge that I'm lumping a huge lens around. If I'm bothering to make the effort in the first place, then I might as well go the whole hog!

Mike

mickeyt · 22 Apr 2012

hi mike..my interest is pretty general...the 400's too heavy for me ..so I've gotta rule that one out... wildlife is a huge area id love to explore and many have said there just won't be enough reach in the 300 and ill be cropping for eternity !...but as pete shows,the quality of the 300 is exceptional and will probably be used more due to the weight issue...oh if only canon wouldn't squeeze the hell out of the prices!..its still a big conundrum but a very healthy discussion topic!..cheers..

pooley · 22 Apr 2012

OK, lets put it this way. If its sport you're mainly interested in then the 300 will be good on full frame for a lot of regular field sports, football, rugby etc. If its motorsport where you're limited by distance from the track then you'll want more than 300mm. You need to consider how close you'll get to the action.

When I was shooting sports as a pro, I started off with the Nikon 300mm then when I did my best sheep impression and went to canon I got the 400mm. I always found that 300mm was plenty for football. i've had people disagree in the past, claiming that you need longer, but my portfolio always supported my view. The 400 came into its own at sports where I struggled to get close enough, like golf for example.

Now, with nature, again you'll have to consider what you want to achieve. Birds on a perch, raptors in flight, skittish birds like woodpeckers will all need the 500mm and then some on full frame. Shooting deer, going abroad, say on safari, you can use the 300mm to better effect. Andy Rouse is a big fan of his 200-400mm zoom on full frame for bigger animals, but needs excellent fieldcraft for his results.

I dont know your exact budget, but with what you've posted, I'd consider the 500mm and a 70-200mm zoom combo. The zoom could well be the f4 non is version, doesn't need to break the bank. Not many shots you can't get with that pair and a 1.4x

mickeyt · 22 Apr 2012

hi mike..ive got the 70-200 2.8...was lucky to bring one in from hk when I was there..much cheaper than here!..if ur ever in hk look up "johnny photo"..he doesn't export by post..its a lottery and customs are very sharp....but easily the best guy I know out there and won't rip u off...budget wise id put down say 4k and finance the rest on interest free and just sell more lenses I don't use to pay for the step up...the tricky thing is wanting the best all rounder that can be taken anywhere and get uber good results...I just can't see myself lugging round the 500 every weekend..but..with the new weight reduction the 500 comes into a very real possibility..they are out next month I'm told so ill find a london dealer and have a feel of the pair..worth putting off decision til then me thinks..but ur right with ur recommendation and i very much appreciate it..cheers ..mike

markmullen · 22 Apr 2012

As another choice how about the new 200-400 with built in extender when it is finally launched? Might have the flexibilty you want?

pooley · 23 Apr 2012

I'd sell my granny for that lens, but she'll probably have to be worth around 8 grand !!

simonblue · 23 Apr 2012

pete.rush said:
Impressed with the 300mm f2.8 MKI, great lens and easily hand holdable and works well with the MKII TC's, even the 1.4x and 2x TC stacked in the right conditions.

300mm F2.8 (MKI) + 1.4x and 2x TC (MKII) stacked

Canon 300mm f2.8 + 1.4 or 2x TC (MKII)

Of course with everything, you need the right conditions to get the best results, but its an easier lens to put into your hand luggage in terms of size over the 500mm f4. The MKI was good 10 (very), so the MKII must be 11 (spinal tap )

Some very good shots

mickeyt · 23 Apr 2012

thanks mark..the 200-400 looks a very interesting lens but ive just sold my 100-400 and have the new tcs..still stuk on the new 300 or 500!..just gotta get hold of a 500 next month to test the weight.. I certainly dont want to spend life cropping but the quality of the 300 is remarkable..the 500 reviews arnt here yet from uk buyers.only a few weeks to wait I guess..

pete.rush · 23 Apr 2012

The problem with the 200-400mm lens (if it ever gets released) is that its designed for the video crowd. What I'm hoping canon will do, is release 2 versions, 1 with the TC built in for the video noobs and a basic 200-400mm f4 for the rest of us camera buffs, but its not looking good for either as they cancelled the release

mickeyt · 23 Apr 2012

and the result

bought the new 300 mk2.(sold two more lenses to pay for it!).. ill let u know how it goes...

reasons for purchase...cost of new 500 just nuts...didnt feel the weight of the old 500 was something id like to lug around and wanted an all rounder that is super sharp an portable,and with the help of tcs this would keep me happy for a while!.

thanks so much for all ur help and advise.

mike