Comparable lens to 70-200L f/4?

[BrandonSi]

I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up with the 70-200 f/4, I'd like to get up to 300 at the long end but I just can't find anything in the budget range (~$600) with the sharpness of L glass. I guess I'll end up getting a 1.4x extender.. any other suggestions on some comparable lenses I may be overlooking?

Also, on the subject of a 1.4x extender, I've heard the mk I is similar to the IIin many regards, and can be found much cheaper than the ~ $300 for the II. Are there any huge differences, besides the mk I being really hard to find?

[condyk]

The SIgma 100-300mm f4 is as good as the Canon L but has the extra 100mm without a TCon. It's a great lens but more expensive than the Canon. You MAY find one second hand if you're lucky but they're not often offered. I guess it's because it has a wider range of applications than the Canon. With a 1.4x then it becomes 420mm with minimal loss of quality in my own experience, when using the SIgma TCon at least. I guess it would like the Kenko Pro 300 1.4x too.

From previous posts here I believe the Mk II is a better TCon that the Mk I, though check the sticky at the top of the page where there is loads of relevant info. You could try the Kenko Pro with the Canon L and save lots of cash with no very significant performance loss ... at least from what I remember of this combo!

[BrandonSi]

Thanks.. I looked at the Sigma, I think it was just out of reach, ~$800. I'll check out the Kenko Pro and read up on that.

[I Simonius]

I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up with the 70-200 f/4, I'd like to get up to 300 at the long end but I just can't find anything in the budget range (~$600) with the sharpness of L glass. I guess I'll end up getting a 1.4x extender.. any other suggestions on some comparable lenses I may be overlooking?

Also, on the subject of a 1.4x extender, I've heard the mk I is similar to the IIin many regards, and can be found much cheaper than the ~ $300 for the II. Are there any huge differences, besides the mk I being really hard to find?

for what you're looking for the combo you suggest is tthe best there is.
The 70-200 is very sharp and you'll get that extra reach with the 1.4ext.