Originally Posted by neuroanatomist
John, it's just a matter of time. You just as well admit it. We will see the 300mm F2.8L and the 500mm F4L in the "Wallet full of $100 bills" Thread[:P]
Rick
John, it's just a matter of time. You just as well admit it. We will see the 300mm F2.8L and the 500mm F4L in the "Wallet full of $100 bills" Thread[:P]
Rick
The 500mm f/4L IS, perhaps MkII, is a distinct possibility. [A]
Incidentally, Amazon has the 500mm f/4L IS II for preorder, at $9500 (and the 600mm MkII lists for $12000).
Honestly, though, if Canon releases a 400mm f/5.6L IS, or better yet a 500mm f/5.6L IS, I think I'd prefer either of those to the 500/4 I or II.
I gather you intend to pursue shooting wildlife, and that is the focus of your equipment upgrade?
Well, you are making a classic "upgrade" error. See this related article: www.bythom.com/support.htm (note: some of the specific products mentioned are out-dated, do your research before buying)
I refer you to that article, as it serves double duty. First - If you want to make stunning wildlife images, get a dedicated lens and don't take half-steps along the way. The already mentioned EF 400 f/5.6 is my recommendation as well. It out performs the 100-400 right where you need it, at 400mm. Yes, it has no IS, but you need to shoot on a tripod for a while if you really want to improve your images. IS on tripod is still helpful, but more for the true super-teles such as the 500, 600 and 800. I've owned the 100-400, shot with it for a number of years, it is excellent for a zoom of it's age. If you want to just walk around, blasting away at subjects - well, that's fun too, sometimes, and you could ignore the rest of my advice and just get one. But you won't get stunning images except by luck.
Which brings me to the second reason for linking the article - you need a serious support system, and that's what I think you should spend a goodly chunk of money on. Probably $500 - $600 on a tripod at minimum if you want carbon fiber. Get a dedicated "gymbal" type ballhead. Or, you could use a quality ballhead and something like a Wimberley Sidekick which would be appropriate to your equipment size and weight. Pick up a lens plate to mount the whole shebang....Throw $40 at a "Better beamer" flash extender.
That'll get you started, but don't ignore the most important piece of equipment, the one between your ears. There are plenty of wildlife photography websites, I personally find the free newsletters sent out by 'Birds as Art' to be the best, most informative source that exists. That will lead you to many other resources that I won't link here.
Happy shooting.
Thank you for the well thought out replies guys. I have made my decision, based largely on your thoughts and considerations that didn't even occur to me. Also, realized a huge mistake I had made that day with the bald eagles because of this thread.
[quote=wtlloyd]
I gather you intend to pursue shooting wildlife, and that is the focus of your equipment upgrade?
Well, you are making a classic "upgrade" error. See this related article: [url="http://www.bythom.com/support.htm]www.bythom.com/support.htm[/url] (note: some of the specific products mentioned are out-dated, do your research before buying)
I refer you to that article, as it serves double duty. First - If you want to make stunning wildlife images, get a dedicated lens and don't take half-steps along the way. The already mentioned EF 400 f/5.6 is my recommendation as well. It out performs the 100-400 right where you need it, at 400mm. Yes, it has no IS, but you need to shoot on a tripod for a while if you really want to improve your images. IS on tripod is still helpful, but more for the true super-teles such as the 500, 600 and 800. I've owned the 100-400, shot with it for a number of years, it is excellent for a zoom of it's age. If you want to just walk around, blasting away at subjects - well, that's fun too, sometimes, and you could ignore the rest of my advice and just get one. But you won't get stunning images except by luck.
Which brings me to the second reason for linking the article - you need a serious support system, and that's what I think you should spend a goodly chunk of money on. Probably $500 - $600 on a tripod at minimum if you want carbon fiber. Get a dedicated "gymbal" type ballhead. Or, you could use a quality ballhead and something like a Wimberley Sidekick which would be appropriate to your equipment size and weight. Pick up a lens plate to mount the whole shebang....Throw $40 at a "Better beamer" flash extender.
[/quote]
Wildlife is indeed the reason for the upgrade. I totally see what you mean about the "classic upgrade error". I was looking to completely replace my Tamron.. a lens I'm thrilled with, for something even more versatile.. I never stopped to consider that a high quality prime will almost always have better IQ at it's respective length.. And the second part of your post brings me to my mistake the other day. I DIDN'T EVEN THINK TO BRING MY TRIPOD. Derp!! With the eagles being as far away as they were, even at 300mm, and cropping as much as I did, I was an idiot to shoot handheld. Even if it were on my tripod, Tamron suggests disabling IS, which in my mind means IS should be an after thought in my decision making process for a 400mm+ lens.
As far as the tripod suggestion goes.. I purchased one last November, I believe it to be a good one, but have never mounted a lens with the collar to it.. so I'm not sure exactly how that would work? A lens plate necessary for that kind of a setup?
My tripod:
<span id="btAsinTitle"]Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT Aluminum Tripod with GH-100 Pistol Grip Ball Head
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I'm keeping it for my walking around. []When I'm in need of more reach, I'll bring out the Prime. Ultimately, I needed to be a little budget consious. I have decided on the 400mm f/5.6.[Y]
More reach, of course, but IQ needs to still be there. That's why I was only considering an L class lens as a replacement. Otherwise I would have gone with one of those Optika monstrosities. Haha.
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I also have a Blackrapid strap. Obviously I have no experience using it with one of the ultra telephotos, but the difference was more than noticeable with my Tamron.
Again, I'm extremely pleased with this site. I've done tons more reading than posting and I'm grateful to you all.
Happy shooting,
-Rocco
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wtlloyd,
Just looked at the Wimberley Sidekick, promising, but not sure if it will work with the Vanguard GH-100 Pistol Grip Ball Head's quick release system. It's one of those round ones. Guess that's the bad thing about companies moving away from any type of industry standard.
Take a look at NatureScapes.com website store and at ReallyRightStuff.com to get an idea of the ballhead/lens/camera plate relationship and what types of items are out there at various price points.
Close your eyes, take a deep breath and quietly tell yourself that you have been a good person and a good parent and you deserve better. Then open your eyes, go straight to B&H (actually use the links on this site) and order that 500 f/4 IS, or 600 f/4 IS. I guarantee you that after half an hour of using it, you will forget how much you paid for it. Those little 100-400, 300 f/4 IS, 300 f/2.8 IS, 400 f/5.6 are girl lenses....lol lol
John, the problem for those f5.6 lenses are that they don't auto focus when use with the 1.4X TC on a 1.6X body, sadly enough so far, anything longer than 400mm is not cheap. I think for a guy with full of money in his wallet , a big long lens is a better choice.
I have 300mm 2.8 and 400mm 5.6 but no 100-400mm, if I want to save some money, the 400mm 5.6 is my first choice, set your Tv to 1/1250 or up, the IS is not a big deal any more and of course the tripod will help. wild life subject are almost never stop moving, why IS is such a big deal?
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