Canon 100-400mm, or 70-200 f4 IS with 2 x extender

[d0051m]

Hey all,

From the title the question is fairly obvious. From what I have seen the package of the 70-200 is about the same price as the 100-400. The lens is for wildlife and action shots of sport.

Would love to hear your thoughts

Thanks very much in advance,

Edd

[conropl]

What camera are you shooting with? With most you are not going to be able to auto focus. With a 1.4X extender your max aperture would be f/5.6, but at 2X you loss two stops wich puts your max aperture at f/8, and most cameras will not auto fucus. If you have a 1D series you would be OK, but you are going to sacrifice a lot of shutter speed. Considering you want to use it for sports and wildlife, I do not think you want to sacrifice that much light (shutter speed). If you were looking at the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II, then maybe it would be worth it, but the cost goes up a lot. Basically, the 100-400 may be better choice, and with wild life, the 200 mm is kind of short. Are you planning on shooting over 200mm a lot?

[thekingb]

Despite its age, the 100-400 is a far better option. With the 2x extender on the 70-200 f/4 you'll lose AF with all but 1 series bodies. And at a max aperture of f/8, you'll struggle to stop action. And the IQ at 400mm with the extender will be worse than the 100-400 at 400mm (not to mention a stop slower).

[PatrickH]

As others have mentioned the 70-200 f4 plus 2x combo will not autofocus on anything but a 1 series body. That is a deal breaker for me. However it is a more modern design with better IS and weather sealing. The 70-200mm f2.8 will autofocus, but it is much more expensive.

How often do you plan to go above 200mm?

I have recently been trying to figure out the best/reasonably economical way to add some reach for wildlife and I think the 100-400 is the way I will end up going. Here's my thought process.

100-400:
Pros: Very versatile focal range without changing gear, reasonable price for 400mm, good IQ over the range, IS
Cons: Relatively slow at the wide end, older 2-stop IS, not completely weather sealed

300mm f4 + 1.4 TC:

Pros: Relatively fast at 300mm, autofocus works on all bodies with the TC attached, good IQ, constant physical length, reasonable price, IS
Cons: Limited to 300mm and 420mm, old 2-stop IS, not completely weather sealed, gear change to get to 420mm

70-200 f2.8 + 2x TC:
Pros: Amazing IQ 70-200, good with TCs attached, up to 4-stop IS, weather sealed, constant physical length, fast
Cons: Expensive, gear change to get to 400mm, IQ at 400mm not as good as the 100-400 see link
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...mp=5&APIComp=0

[neuroanatomist]

The 70-200/2.8L IS II can take a 2x TC pretty well, but I'd be reluctant to use one on any other zoom lens.

If you need 400mm routinely, get the 100-400L - it's an excellent lens.

[DavidEccleston]

I know people are quick to discount the 70-300L because of the variable aperture, and the dreaded f/5.6 on the long end, but it's not actually THAT slow. A reason to discount it is if you do need the 400mm (you seem pretty eager to get to 400mm somehow), or you can afford the f/2.8 lenses. Compared to the 70-200mm lenses f/4, I'd rather take the 70-300L, but everyone's reasons and needs are different.

I'm not pulling up the review to get the exact numbers, but it breaks down something like:
f/4.0 - 70-112 - Same speed as the 70-200.
f/4.5 - 113-154 - Slightly slower than the 70-200, fairly insignificant.
f/5.0 - 155-224 - 2/3s of a stop slower, which is significant, but only over 45mm of range. The 200-225 range is infinitely faster.
f/5.6 - 225-300 - The dreaded f/5.6, a full stop slower!, but on a focal range the 70-200 doesn't even have, so this is actually a plus.

Apparently Sigma 1.4x extenders do work with the 70-300L, but I have not tried it.

It's cheap, sharp, has a newer 4-stop IS, has some weather resistance. It does extend as you zoom, if that puts you off.

[andnowimbroke]

I like your breakdown David. Valid points, and sometimes f5 is needed to get enough in focus at the range anyway.

[d0051m]

Cheers everyone, decision made!!!