What kind of wildlife? I have the 70-200mm F4 and 300mm F4. I try and shoot everything. Here's what I like and don't like about the combination:


Pros for 300 F4:


1. Has IS


2. Light


3. Good maximum magnification (e.g., 0.24 native). If you stack a couple extension tubes on this lens you are approaching macro range.


4. Good sharpness without a teleconverter


Cons for 300 F4:


1. Sharpness not great with teleconverter


2. Too short for birds


In conclusion (300mm): I think the 300mm is a great wildlife lens. I call it my "Lizard Lens." I don't think I will ever get rid of it b/c of its ability to focus close. However, I am thinking about getting the 400mm F5.6 or saving up for the 300 F2.8 + 1.4x combination to shoot birds. The 300 F4 can get the job done, but in most cases it's too short unless you have a real nice blind and feeder set up.


Pros for 70-200 F4:


1. Has IS


2. Light


3. Good maximum magnification (e.g., 0.21 native).


4. Good sharpness without teleconverter


Cons for 70-200 F4:


1. Sharpness not great with teleconverter


2. Too short for most wildlife, unless you are at the zoo


3. F4 is pretty slow for the 70-200 range


In conclusion (70-200mm): I consider this a great walk around lens and portrait lens, if you have a full frame camera. I actually don't like this focal length on a crop (but I'm sure other opinions will vary). This is my least used lens. I like the 24-105mm range better on a crop camera for general purpose use. However, when I do use this lens, I always like the results. I take this lens to the zoo a lot, but even there it's a little too short sometimes.


If I could do it all over again: I'd get the 300 F4 and the 400 F5.6, and not get the 70-200. Anytime I think I might need the 70-200, I typical just grab the 85mm F1.8 instead. Think about it this way...I have never gone out to shoot wildlife (when taking a 85mm and 300mm; I usually take a macro too but I only have the 60) and said, "man, I wish I had that 115mm between 85 and 200." But I have said often, "man, I wish I had another 100mm on my 300." Since you have up to 100 covered already, I would think you would be saying something similar.


What should you do: Buy whatever makes you happy. Somebody else will probably note that if you aren't concerned about high maximum magnification that the 400mm and 70-200mm would also make a really nice combination. I don't disagree. With any of these 'L' tele zooms and primes you really can't go wrong. Just think about what you want to shoot the most. I don't like the 100-400mm b/c I don't like the push/pull zoom mechanism.