100-400mm 4.5-5.6L or 70-200mm 2.8L w/2.0x Extender

[Moody Blues]

I am going to wear you guys out with all of these questions. Thank you for all of the great thoughts.

Out of the above two options, wanting to ultimately achieve 400mm, what would be more sensible?

Thanks again

[roanjohn]

the 100-400 zoom will give you a better image quality.

Ro1

[cmM]

the 100-400 zoom will give you a better image quality.
Agree. The 2x TC tends to degrade the quality of images somewhat.

[jukas]

if you need the 400mm regularly buy the 100 - 400 L, by the time you put a 2x on the 70 - 200 2.8 you are at f/5.6 anyways and you will have some image degredation especially at the edges with the teleconverter. If your every day shooting is in the 70 - 200 range and you only rarely need the 400 then I'd say get the 70 - 200 and the teleconverter.

[chris.bailey]

100-400 with 1.4x....way to go! :lol: !

[CyberDyneSystems]

If 400mm is the end goal.. the only sensible choice is a 400mm lens.

[MarkH]

If 400mm is the end goal.. the only sensible choice is a 400mm lens.

Get the 70-200 and the 1.4x teleconverter, add the 400 f5.6 and you're set.

[Scottes]

100-400, no doubt.

[tpinchback]

If you ever want to think about taking an indoor picture, you better go with the 70-200 2.8, but if not then go with the 100-400. It is that simple.

[timmyquest]

i have the 70-200 f/2.8 and the 2x extender. Although it is useful, and cheap, if you can afford the 100-400...get it.

[Adam Hicks]

I shot motorsports with a guy who had a 70-200 who left his 2x on all the time. He liked that it gave him the 400mm end, but his images suffered, and he actually had less usable range.. as he was at 140-400 with the 2x, so I had more wide end.

Plus the IS will buy you some room in certain situations.

Adam

[nosquare2003]

400/5.6L

[Spargo]

100-400 definately. It's all one piece, and in the end the 2x will just lose your autofocus and make the f/stops the same as the 100-400.

[MarkH]

100-400 definately. It's all one piece, and in the end the 2x will just lose your autofocus and make the f/stops the same as the 100-400.

Why would you lose autofocus? 70-200 f2.8L + 2x Tele would give f5.6, no problem with AF.

[Johnny Bravo]

If 400mm is the end goal.. the only sensible choice is a 400mm lens.

Get the 70-200 and the 1.4x teleconverter, add the 400 f5.6 and you're set.

GREAT advice.

The 100-400 lens is a disappointment at 300-400mm compared to a prime, while the 70-200 is an all around winner.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I think you'll find the VAST majority of 100-400mm owners on this forum do not find the 300-400mm range on this lens a disapointment at all :)

I have described this lens as "prime like" in image quality.. and no it is not quite up to the big primes... but it is far from a disapointment!

I use it FAR more than I use my 70-200mm IS.