400mm L Glass F5.6

[Jaguar]

I need a long prime lens for my 10D, traveling by air and land, no hiking. Useage would be a mix bag of nature/landscape/stills, budget up to $3000.00. I have a 70 -200 f2.8 already. Looking at the 400mm L glass cheapy from Canon, but would very much appreciate some feedback and advice on this and others like Sigma, 300 or 500's.

[CyberDyneSystems]

The Canon 400 f/5.6 is very sharp and is a great lens. It is the lightest 400mm you will find with such wonderfull glass as well. It's drawback is of course the f/5.6 which depends on your application as to how much this effects you. It is a mainstay of Nature photogs on a budget or that want to travel lite.

That said,. for about $3,000.00 ($3,400.00 @ B&H) you can get a Sigma 500mm f/4.5 EX HSM which is the absolute best lens I have ever had on my 10D! It's autofocus is the fasteds I have expeienced,. and it is DEAD on. The images are crystal clear and sharp.

taken with 10D and Sigma 500mm f/4.5

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1393371&outx=980&oq=0&noresize=1&nostamp=1

I actually got mine used in like new condition from KEH for $2,100.00 Highly recomended.

I have not yet tried the Sigma 300mm f/2.8 Prime but having experienced this 500mm,. I think that may be my next lens.

[ChrisNardone]

Jaguar,
I am very interested in this lens too. It is a contender for my next lens purchase. This is the review that caught my attention:
http://luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/forgotten-400.shtml

[Belmondo]

I have the 400 5.6L, and I've taken the best pictures of my life with it. It is light enough to handle easily, and works best on a tripod----probably true for any lens over 200mm. I've bought a few L lenses now, and to me, this one represents the best 'bang for the buck.'

If you don't like it, people are waiting in line to buy them used for almost the price of a new one.

[pwagner]

Perhaps the 300mm f/4 L IS and a 1.4x II teleconverter. Gives you f/4 if you want and 400mm f/5.6 in a pinch. The 300mm comes with the image stabilizer, which is invaluable for handheld shots at this focal length.

I have the 100-400 IS L and love the lens. Given that you already have the 70-200, you wouldn't need the extended zoom range of the 100-400 unless you were going to leave the 70-200 behind when you travel.

[Jaguar]

All,

Thanks for your views, a question that occured to me, does the IS mechanism work with a 1.4X converter on a 10D if I were to go the 300mm F4 IS route? Also I have a Sigma 2X converter, would IS on the Canon work with this?

Appreciate your help.

[ChrisNardone]

I have 300 f/4L. It works with 1.4x I have been told it doesn't AF with 2x.