Yet Another Lens Question

[minatophase3]

I am looking to get a zoo lens. I have a D60 and am looking at getting either a 100-400 IS or a 300 4 L plus 1.4tc. I have always used zoom lens so I am used to those. I bought my first prime several months ago (85 1.8 ) and am very happy with it, though I do miss the zoom at times.

My question is what lens or combo of lens plus tc would you get if you had $1400 to spend? Again, my primary use will be for zoo shots, at least right now. In a couple of years it will also be used for children's sports.

Thanks for the input.

Tim

[ssim]

Go for the 100-400. It provides you with greater versatility than the 300 prime. I've take thousands of images with mine and am very rarely ever disappointed. When I am disappointed with it it is usually someone else's fault.http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gifhttp://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif

[Kenski]

100-400 is probably the best zoo lens... The 300 F4 would be good for childrens sports so save up then for that but for the Zoo, the 100-400 is AWESOME... Hmmm, I lost the link to the page comparing the pictures of the 300mm with the TC compared to the 400, wide open the 300 was slighty better but once you got to about F8, the 100-400 blew it away....

[Jon]

100-400. The 300 with TC will give you two framing options, which 90% of the time will be "too tight" and "too loose", mostly the former. The 100-400 will be much more versatile, if somewhat slower (about 2/3 stop at 300 mm).

[minatophase3]

I was going to rent the 100-400 from Glazer's in Seattle for my trip to the zoo on Saturday, but both of their copies are rented. They did have the 300 4 IS available along with the 1.4 tc, so I am renting that combo and will see how it works. I'll share my opinion and some pictures early next week.

Thanks to all who responded.

Tim