Still pondering lens choice.

[u8myufo]

I have been thinking of getting another lens for a bit more reach. I already have a 70-200 F4L non IS plus 1.4 TC which serve me well. If I have calculated my budget correctly then I cannot really go above a 400mm, so my options as far as I can see are.

Keep the 70-200 and buy a 300 F4L IS prime, and use with or without T/C.

Sell the 70-200 to fund a 100-400 F4.5 IS.

Or keep the 70-200 and just get hold of a 400mm F5.6.From what I can make out the 400 f5.6 is loved by bird photographers as its focusing is lightning quick and the min focusing distance is more suited for BIF, but you obviously lose IS. I am not too bothered about the factor of losing an F/stop or the overlap in minimum focusing distance whic ever one I chose, just more of what really would be the best choice for image quality without regrets :shrug: The thought of a Bigma has gone through my mind and I have seen some really good images from one, but I wonder if I would be more frustrated using this as I reckon the success rate would be far lower compared to using L glass.

 

[markta]

I have been thinking of getting another lens for a bit more reach. I already have a 70-200 F4L non IS plus 1.4 TC which serve me well. If I have calculated my budget correctly then I cannot really go above a 400mm, so my options as far as I can see are.

Keep the 70-200 and buy a 300 F4L IS prime, and use with or without T/C.

Sell the 70-200 to fund a 100-400 F4.5 IS.

Or keep the 70-200 and just get hold of a 400mm F5.6.From what I can make out the 400 f5.6 is loved by bird photographers as its focusing is lightning quick and the min focusing distance is more suited for BIF, but you obviously lose IS. I am not too bothered about the factor of losing an F/stop or the overlap in minimum focusing distance whic ever one I chose, just more of what really would be the best choice for image quality without regrets :shrug: The thought of a Bigma has gone through my mind and I have seen some really good images from one, but I wonder if I would be more frustrated using this as I reckon the success rate would be far lower compared to using L glass.

I'd suggest keeping the 70-200 and getting the 400 5.6 and occasionally using the 1.4x on the 70-200 if you need a little extra reach. The extender will largely become redundant though as if used on the 400, you wouldn't get AF on anything other than a 1 series body..

Just my opinion though

 

[u8myufo]

Thanks, yeh I know about loss of auto focus , but thinking about it, it`s gonna be a case of what will produce the sharpest image between the 400 or a 300 with 1.4 which only gives me an extra 20mm anyway :shrug: and of coarse the added bonus of having one with IS function :bang: Forgot to mention that it will be used mostly for bird shots.