HELP! 300mm F4L or 1.4X on my 70-200 F4???

[Toogy]

I have started to get more into bird photography lately and I am finding my 70-200 F4L just not quite long enough.
I would love to get the 100-400 or 400mm L lens but I can't justify the cost right now.
So I was thinking of either getting a 1.4X Extender for my 70-200F4 or looking at getting a used 300mm F4L.
What would you do? I know the 300mm F4L will be a bit more money than the extender, but it allows more options in the future.

Help!!

[lmelendez]

Hi Toogy

I was thinking about getting the 1.4X for my 70-200, but after some reading, I decided that I will get a prime (300mm or 400mm) instead of the extender. In my particular case, I like the quality of the prime...

(but... everybody is different... so make sure you put attention to all opinions...)

Leo.

[GyRob]

i have the 300 IS and 1.4 and love it - the IS is well worth having .just my view.
Rob.

[mpoole]

Hi Toogey:
Replying from down the road in Woodstock. I have the 100-400 and for bird photography, the 400 end is where it stays, and is only sharp at F8+, so the 300 without converter may not be enough for birds. I'm waiting for Canon to make a 400 5.6 with IS.

All the best
Mike

[ssim]

The 300 f4 is a very good lens. IanD shoots with one and does an amazing job with it.

You can see one of his shots here (http://www.pbase.com/giant001/image/41022850)

This is a good lens with the 1.4 for birds. The 100-400 does an excellent job as well