Adam Adkins
EF3
I am in a huge predicament as to which lens to buy. I mainly want the telephotos for wildlife and especially birds. I want super sharp images and good AF! Anyone with experience with either of the two are welcome to share! Thanks!
Canon 400mm f/5.6 or 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6
- Thread starter Adam Adkins
- Start date
Chris Allington
EF4
I'd probably go with the 100-400 for versatility purposes. I have rented one and used a friends a couple of times and its a fantastic lens. Seems to have some focusing issues with busy backrounds (what lens doesn't? trees, tall grasses behind birds while flying, ect) but other than that I was impressed. The color rendition and contrast are pretty excellent with it. It also has 2 AF modes and 2 IS modes to try to help you out depending on the conditions your shooting in. I haven't used the 400 prime so I can't comment on that one.
Bryan Stokes
EF3
Adam,
What other lenses do you currently have in your line-up? I ask, because if you already have the 100-200mm focal range covered, I would encourage you to go with the 400 5.6. While the 100-400 is a nice lens and the versatility is nice, the 400 prime is a sharper lens and the focus is slightly faster than the 100-400. Also, with wildlife and birds, you will pegged at 400mm nearly all of the time anyways, so you may as well go with the prime.
Bryan
What other lenses do you currently have in your line-up? I ask, because if you already have the 100-200mm focal range covered, I would encourage you to go with the 400 5.6. While the 100-400 is a nice lens and the versatility is nice, the 400 prime is a sharper lens and the focus is slightly faster than the 100-400. Also, with wildlife and birds, you will pegged at 400mm nearly all of the time anyways, so you may as well go with the prime.
Bryan
Jim Hunt
EF2
You could also put the 1.4x extender on the 400mm for even more reach if needed. The 400mm would be my choice.
I should also mention the push-pull action of the 100-400mm would drive me crazy but that lens is very popular around racing.
I should also mention the push-pull action of the 100-400mm would drive me crazy but that lens is very popular around racing.
Adam Adkins
EF3
Well, I have 17-40, and a 24-105. HOWEVER, I have a 1980's 100-300 which works just fine, it just isn't "L" quality.
And I think I want the zoom and then I see an incredible shot like below taken with the prime and don't know what to do! (below image taken with prime from PSIG)
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Chris Allington
EF4
You could put the 1.4x on either one and AF will still work... The push pull is also alot more stable of an action when trying to track a moving subject then trying to twist the barrel of the lens and track a bird at the same time. If your satisfied with the glass you have then I'd probably go ahead and get the prime, but if you don't like some of the shots your getting with the 100-300 I'd probably pick up the zoom.
Graham Butler
EF3
I have used copies of the 100-400 which were not as sharp as I would have expected for L glass and L $$$$. That being said I have heard that the 100-400 was another Canon product which occasionally was shipped with poor sharpness. Similar to the issues with the 24-70L f/2.8.....don't ask me how I know. Good thing is that Canon will fix them for free. Down side is they need fixing. For this reason I would be hesitant to buy the 100-400 used b/c then you are paying for fixing. AaronK has done test shots with the 100-400 and I will ask him if I may post them in here. They were impressive.
Here is the best piece of advice I can give you. RENT THEM. Screw what everyone else tells you. Opinions are like @$$holes........ Go to www.fredmiranda.com and look through the reviews section for sample images different people have shot. Read the reviews, take them with a grain of salt, and take note of issues raised for when you test the lenses.
The 1.4x is fun, it is sometimes useful, although I doubt you will find it sharp enough for a wildlife crop (I could be mistaken). Go rent a 400L f/5.6, 100-400L, and 300L f/4.....try all with and w/o a 1.4x. You are looking to buy a product from the Cadillac of Canon's line up......would you buy a Cadillac w/o a test drive?
Also do a search b/c some of these lenses have been discussed in detail on here including a review I did on the 300L f/4.
Good luck!!
Graham
Here is the best piece of advice I can give you. RENT THEM. Screw what everyone else tells you. Opinions are like @$$holes........ Go to www.fredmiranda.com and look through the reviews section for sample images different people have shot. Read the reviews, take them with a grain of salt, and take note of issues raised for when you test the lenses.
The 1.4x is fun, it is sometimes useful, although I doubt you will find it sharp enough for a wildlife crop (I could be mistaken). Go rent a 400L f/5.6, 100-400L, and 300L f/4.....try all with and w/o a 1.4x. You are looking to buy a product from the Cadillac of Canon's line up......would you buy a Cadillac w/o a test drive?
Also do a search b/c some of these lenses have been discussed in detail on here including a review I did on the 300L f/4.
Good luck!!
Graham
I use the f/5.6 400L and I am very happy with it. If you wish to shoot wildlife/birds it should be your choice. The f/5.6 400 is still lightweight in fits in a regular daypack with a camera body mounted (moreover, many people say that the 100-400mm lens is pumping dust on the sensor while zooming!).
Bryan Stokes
EF3
This is probably the best advice that could ever be given!
Bryan
Ben Tillotson
EF1
I use the 400 f/5.6 and like it. Although it doesn't have IS it is lightweight and produces very sharp images. You just need plenty of light to work with.
Patrick Boomer
EF1
Lots of shots like that from the 100-400 too.
I have the zoom, it is sharp, and I could not live without it.
Plenty of shots at 400mm but the majority are between 200-400mm, I really must have the zoom and use it all the time. IS is a big bonus at 400mm and when the light begins to fade.
Dust pumping has never been an issue for me and it's pretty dusty around here.
Olivier Staiger
EF3
my question is, what camera you use ?
example, if you have an older camera with 8 or 10 MP, instead of getting the 400mm f/5.6 , I would suggest looking at the excellent, affordable and very fast 200mm f/2.8 L and upgrade the camera to Canon EOS T2i / 550D or 7D. You'll also have a x1.6 chip factor , resulting in 320mm f/2.8 , and with 18MP you get quite an image to crop from to add some crop-zoom.
Just a thought.
example, if you have an older camera with 8 or 10 MP, instead of getting the 400mm f/5.6 , I would suggest looking at the excellent, affordable and very fast 200mm f/2.8 L and upgrade the camera to Canon EOS T2i / 550D or 7D. You'll also have a x1.6 chip factor , resulting in 320mm f/2.8 , and with 18MP you get quite an image to crop from to add some crop-zoom.
Just a thought.
Adam Adkins
EF3
I have a Canon 5D Mark II.
Bryan Stokes
EF3
Adam, considering your lens line-up, I would lean towards the 100-400. Then when you can afford it, perhaps you could pick up a used 30D ($400 or less) and use the crop-body for wildlife and birding. You'd also have a second camera body which can be really useful.
Bryan
Bryan
Allan Jeffers
EF3
If you can pick up the low cost 300mm f/4L IS off craigs list you mentioned earlier, you should do that and pick up a 1.4x teleconverter. You lose only 1 stop of light keep IS. You will not have the convienice of a zoom, but it should be a very nice set up that puts you PAST 400mm
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