Another 300f4 IS or 400f5.6 question...

[Jayson]

Sorry for another one of these threads, but I think I know what I want, just checking some questions out.


Have some kids that will be reaching the age of youth soccer in the near future and also have been bitten by the birding bug. Nothing too serious yet, but hey, having fun. I am really not needing IS that much as I rarely use it when taking pictures outside with my 70-200f4IS. I don't really use that lens much inside as I have fast primes. I probably will be on the sidelines of the soccer matches so reach should be ok with either one. I have a Kenko 1.4xtc that I use on the 70-200 and get great results at 280mm but find the need for a longer reach most times. I have done reading up on the focus slowing with TC on the 300f4, but it isn't really any different than the TC on the 70-200 and that is fine with me.


So here is the question for you that have either owned or have the following...would I benefit from the extra reach of the 400 or should I just buy the 300 and use the TC when I need the extra reach? If I happen to go out, I have a 2nd body that the 70-200 can go on, so switching isn't an issue. My concern is that I will buy the 400 and lose the stop of light and maybe it will be a little long for the soccer/baseball fields. Will evenings be an issue at sundown with the 400? Also, I know that the Kenko doesn't report to the lensapertureand so would your camera AF with the 400 on a non 1D body? Anyone try this? I previously had the 70-300 IS and used the TC with that and it focused at 300. IQ however, not so good with the extra glass.


Thanks for any input that you might have.


Jayson

[Sinh Nhut Nguyen]

Rent both and try for yourself, a week of shooting should give you an idea.

[Jayson]

Only problem with renting is the kids sports haven't started yet and really, the only two lens the local camera store have that would be close is the 300 2.8 and the 100-400. They don't have the two I am looking at.

[Sinh Nhut Nguyen]

Jayson, where do you live?


If you live in the US, try www.lensrentals.com

[Jayson]

Nebraska. I will have to see how much renting for a week will run. I know I would be happy with both, but just looking to see what would be more practical.

[Sinh Nhut Nguyen]

300 f/4L IS http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/canon-300mm-f4-l-is/for-canon


400 f/5.6L http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/canon-400mm-f5.6-l/for-canon


7-day rental period doesn't start until after you get the lens

[Jayson]

Thanks Nate. I will check that out. I know you shot with the 400 before you upgraded to the big boy, but did you ever try a TC with the 400?


Jayson

[Sinh Nhut Nguyen]

I still SHOOT with my 400 [], just not so much now. I don't have a 1.4 extender and never used one with my 400, planning to get one in the near future though!

[Brendan7]

Thanks Nate. I will check that out. I know you shot with the 400 before you upgraded to the big boy, but did you ever try a TC with the 400?


Jayson

Jayson, I wouldn't suggest putting a TC on the 400. It's already slow and big and doesn't have IS. A 640mm f/8? No thank you. Especially for sports. I shoot with a 7D and 300 f4 w/ no TC, and it's plenty enough reach for me. I often have to back up! As Nate said, rent both and decide. The 300 does MFD at 5' compared to the 400's 11', and that was a deciding factor for me, you'll have to decide if that's important to you.


brendan

[Jayson]

Come to think of it, I remember you saying a couple times that the 500 was a little long. []