My 300 f/2.8 Experience and Subsequent Epiphany.

[PetKal]

I'll keep it fairly short and factual by sparing you the heart drenching details.:o
I traded my brand new EF 300 f2.8L IS USM for an EF 400 f/5.6L USM and an EF 24 f/1.4L USM.
Several reasons for that: first and foremost, the lens was too heavy for me to hand shoot, and I just do not seem to be able to make myself take the monopod with me when I go for sniping walks. Second, while obviously a full stop faster than my EF300 f/4.0L IS USM, I did not see that kind of an IQ improvement with the f/2.8 which would justify several times the price of f/4.0.

With the money left over from the above trade I got myself a heavy bugger of a new camera body shown below ;) ..........to me, that camera + two brand new quality primes more than make up for the loss of a 300 f/2.8. The burden of the "incrementally better 300 f/2.8" ownership being off my shoulders, I am happy now and sleep more restfully:) .

[mrclark321]

Oh come on....That's not fair.....I'm droolin

Congrats.....Did you just come from having the 20D....Would really like to hear your thaughts on the upgrade...:)

Dan

[PetKal]

Thanx Dan, yeah I am keeping my 20D.
The MkIIN is much heavier. So that is not good for an old boy like miself.
However, the AF on it seems pretty good and fast, the FPS is more than I normally would use....so far the image file buffer has never choked up on me and paralysed the camera, etc....however, I am still looking and comparing.

Also, I need to get the AF checked on the 20D....something with it is just not right.

[Rumjungle]

I think you made a good choice. In fact, it appears you ended up with the best of both worlds. You have a fantastic camera, great lenses, and your back up body isn't too shabby either. Nice.

[PetKal]

Thanx Rum, I am glad you also see it that way.

[condyk]

Well done sir. I never thought the 2.8 would work for you unless your nurse was walking along behind to carry it :p I think you made a very smart move. The 400mm is a lovely lens. I like your new body ... camera body that is, or did your recent holiday involve intense cosmetic surgery too? I'd like to see some widey shots from your new baby. Canon pretty well sucks in the wide prime arena so so nice to see what this one does. Preferably an 'appropriate' shot rather than 'Wren in bush at 100m' :lol: :lol:

[Croasdail]

Pet-Kal... good job. Bigger is not always better. Looks like you are building yourself a really nice kit.

[PetKal]

Well done sir. I never thought the 2.8 would work for you unless your nurse was walking along behind to carry it :p I think you made a very smart move. The 400mm is a lovely lens. I like your new body ... camera body that is, or did your recent holiday involve intense cosmetic surgery too? I'd like to see some widey shots from your new baby. Canon pretty well sucks in the wide prime arena so so nice to see what this one does. Preferably an 'appropriate' shot rather than 'Wren in bush at 100m' :lol: :lol:

How true, I could use a nurse !;) However, my much better half is a nurse by training...alas, the old girl cannot carry anything any more, aside from carrying out her plans for my early demise with her incessant nagging: " Why do you need yet another lens ?" and such. Silly woman, I have never said I "needed" them, I simply "want" them.;)

Dave, I have some a priori reservations about the 24 mm prime. However, I am still trying to field-evaluate the 400 5.6. Slow, but otherwise one heck of a lens ! I am getting some decent shots with it hand held ! I suspected she was a goody, but so far she's been better than good.

Thanx Croasdail, I trust the "bigger is better" crowd have more muscle than I've got to schlep all that white avoirdupois around. If not, they can always keep the lens parked in their parlour....a quirky ornamental piece she is....once in a while take a picture of it (perhaps even with it ;) and post it so as to visually sustain more juniour POTN members in their arduous quest for a big white.

A propos "arduous quest", I read that Dante is contemplating an expansion of his collection into the "big whiteness". Perhaps just another business expense for his diner: "We had to raise the price of our burgers but we also increased their size....just look at these photos !"

[DavidEB]

Peter -- congrats on the 1D...N. I agree with you that the AF performance is a major step up from the 20D. It is big & heavy. Even us old geezers can handle it, though.

[PetKal]

Thanx David, when opting for the new camera, I did find your input on MkIIN AF worthiness very helpful, thanx again.
Although the camera body is heavy, I find that it does not exert as much of a bending momentum because I try to keep it very close to my body, support-wise (as if I need any more bending force on my back;) )
Peter

[Michaelmjc]

Aww you bugger, I'm hopefully gonna upgrade this summer. Maybe I'll have to make a trip to your house and try it out :D

[PetKal]

Aww you bugger, I'm hopefully gonna upgrade this summer. Maybe I'll have to make a trip to your house and try it out :D

Sure thing Mikey, while at it I might be able to induce you to buy some stellar Canon glass like 24 f/2.8, 35 f/2.0 in pristine condition, real cheap. The hoods, B&W UV filters and microfibre lens pouches are included. All original packaging and 6 months Canon warranty remaining. ($80 below new replacement value for each lens/accessories. ) You buy both, you save $160. Not bad, eh ?