Finally I DID IT!!! 400mm f5.6

[britt777]

I finally made my decision between the 300mm f/4 IS and the 400mm 5.6.
What a decision in life that was to make.
I went with the 400mm 5.6. I can not wait to get that beauty!!!
Just got off the phone with B&H, and the shipping process has begun.
I promise to post some pictures after I get them, and will keep everyone up to date on how good or bad my decision was.....lol.

I want to thank all those who gave me tips, post, opinions and comments. I also want to thank everyone for their patience with all my ?'s.

Happy Shooting. Click On!!!:lol:

Brittany

[tommykjensen]

I am sure You made the right decision. Congrats.

This lens is also on my wishlist after a few other :lol:

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Awww, ennnnnvvvyyyyyyyyy...... betcha a few months from now you'll find yourself saving penny's for the 500 f/4L IS.;)

[ravatm1]

I received my 100-400 from B&H last week and have yet to take a single shot. Work and family have temporarily taken over my every waking minute. But this Saturday, my son and I are running away to play with this new toy. Good luck and enjoy yours.

[condyk]

That's a very nice lens indeed ... good choice.

[CorruptedPhotographer]

conratulations :D !

now why dont you tell us why you went with the 400/5.6L over the 300/4L ?

;)

[RikWriter]

I am sure you'll love it...it's a great lens.

[britt777]

I went with the 400mm over the 300mm because I already have the 70-200 2.8 and the 1.4x. I decided I already had the 300mm area covered and I am always looking for more reach.The 400 also has faster auto focus from what I here. I was real tempted to buy the 300mm because of the IS, but I decided I have a great monopod and tripod and I should use them. I like to take pictures of birds so the reach is good plus with the 1.4 on the 400 I can get out to 560. I know this is no comparison to the 500mm f/4, but for the price I'm sure it will be great. I won't ever buy a 5-6 or 7,000 dollar lens. I would have to work for National Geographic or something like that before I ever spent that kind of money. This will suit me just fine. My bag is now complete. I couldn't be happier!!!

[formula4speed]

I went with the 400mm over the 300mm because I already have the 70-200 2.8 and the 1.4x. I decided I already had the 300mm area covered and I am always looking for more reach.The 400 also has faster auto focus from what I here. I was real tempted to buy the 300mm because of the IS, but I decided I have a great monopod and tripod and I should use them. I like to take pictures of birds so the reach is good plus with the 1.4 on the 400 I can get out to 560. I know this is no comparison to the 500mm f/4, but for the price I'm sure it will be great. I won't ever buy a 5-6 or 7,000 dollar lens. I would have to work for National Geographic or something like that before I ever spent that kind of money. This will suit me just fine. My bag is now complete. I couldn't be happier!!!

Enjoy life while you still believe that. I told myself the exact same thing when I got my 400 5.6L, it would be my birding lens and I'll never need anything else. Well I've been using it for birding, and the optics and focusing are amazing, but well...you'll see. 1 month from now you'll be trying to rationalize the 500 f/4L IS.

[Wazza]

Congrats on the new purchase.

Complete?

You seem to be missing an ultra wide angle, like a 10-22. ;)

[britt777]

I don't need ultra wide angle. My 24-70 works great for what I do.
If I did need an ultra wide, I would get the 16-35mm 2.8
I hope I don't find myself rationalizing the 500mm. I don't do that
much birding....lol. I would dump 5,000 plus dollars on my Harley
before a lens!!! I have more than one hobby....hehehe.

[grego]

Yeah, i'd say if you have the 16-35mm down the road, you pretty much got everywhere covered, especially if you upgrade your body down the road. :)

[britt777]

Actually I probably would get the 10-22mm now that I think about it
but I don't think about it, because I have just never found myself
need anything wider than my 24-70. That could change though
you never know.......hmmmmmmm

[Jack W.]

Actually I probably would get the 10-22mm now that I think about it
but I don't think about it, because I have just never found myself
need anything wider than my 24-70. That could change though
you never know.......hmmmmmmm

I bought the 10-22 several months ago. I had hesitated on it, because I wasn't sure I'd really get a lot of use out of it. My preference is also long lenses, for birding and wildlife.
But Dell had one of their deals going, a sale with a stackable coupon, which made the total price $640 (tax in my state). And then I thought about the time I was at Patriot Point Museum in South Carolina. It's a naval museum, where the USS Yorktown and other ships and aircraft are kept. The only lens I had that was wide enough to get a shot of the Yorktown, an aircraft carrier, was the 18-55 kit lens.
So, I figured, at the price Dell had, I bought one. Glad I did; it's a really nifty lens.
Also bought one for my gf, which shipped today (also from Dell; $567 total, no tax in her state).
Jack

[mebailey]

My bag is now complete. I couldn't be happier!!!

I always think that too but within a month or so I fall off the wagon!

Hey, is that the ocean behind you in your avitar? Just asking cause I live in Texas too. Corpus Christi to be exact. Enjoy your new lens. I hope it turns out alot better than the experiance with the 300 IS!

[SolPics]

Congrats on your new lens. I've had the same dilemma of the 300 F4 IS, 400 F5.6 or 100-400L. I'm leaning towards one of the IS lens. Please post some pictures.

[RikWriter]

Congrats on your new lens. I've had the same dilemma of the 300 F4 IS, 400 F5.6 or 100-400L. I'm leaning towards one of the IS lens. Please post some pictures.


The 100-400 is a great lens...I just couldn't afford it at the time.
Here are some 400 f5.6 pics.

http://www.pbase.com/rikwriter/image/47801422.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/rikwriter/image/46661452.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/rikwriter/image/46639348.jpg

[britt777]

Hmmm. Well I got my 400mm 5.6 today and I must say I am not sure what to say. Lens didn't come til late so I went right out and took some photos, knowing I was loosing light. I can't say with the low light It's what I expected, but have no fear I will be back out tomorrow. I am thinking I may want to go back to the 300mm IS. I am sure that during the day with lots of light it is a much better lens. I can also say I constantly wanted to zoom....lol. That will take some getting used too.

[CorruptedPhotographer]

I am thinking I may want to go back to the 300mm IS.

What ? :eek::lol::p
lol you are a confusin chick! You had a 300mm, got the 400mm and now decide you may want the 300mm back? why lady ?

[condyk]

I am thinking I may want to go back to the 300mm IS. I am sure that during the day with lots of light it is a much better lens. I can also say I constantly wanted to zoom....lol. That will take some getting used too.

Well, that's the exact problem in a nutshell. Do we go zoom or prime, quality or flexibility, big money or sensible money, shorter and faster or longer and slower :o if you know what I mean ... that's why I got both on my shortest shortlist to try 'in the field'. All the advice and reviews don't tell how you will feel using the gear. The whole handling side is so important.

One day next week I guess either my 100-400 IS L (which is a damn fine lens!) or my 300 IS L and TCon's will be in the Marketplace because I'l have discovered this weekend which set of compromises work for me. All these lenses are superb but different people will always have their own set of priorities.

[Trevi]

I had the 400 f5.6 and sold it and bought the 300 f4IS simply because the 400 couldn't cut it in low light conditions. I am not talking night time here just a very cloudy late afternoon at an outdoors football game. The 300 with a 1.4 extender is just fantastic. I don't intend on buying another lens until I can afford the 400 2.8 lol

[RikWriter]

I had the 400 f5.6 and sold it and bought the 300 f4IS simply because the 400 couldn't cut it in low light conditions. I am not talking night time here just a very cloudy late afternoon at an outdoors football game.

Mine works fine in those conditions.

[foxbat]

I had the 400 f5.6 and sold it and bought the 300 f4IS simply because the 400 couldn't cut it in low light conditions. I am not talking night time here just a very cloudy late afternoon at an outdoors football game. The 300 with a 1.4 extender is just fantastic. I don't intend on buying another lens until I can afford the 400 2.8 lolThat doesn't make sense. Your 300+1.4 = f/5.6, same stop as the 400 f/5.6. Light can't have been your problem, it must have been something else. Is it IS that you find you need?

[DavidEB]

well, I've had my 300 f4 IS for about 10 days now and there is no way I would trade it for anything else. fabulous lens.

[britt777]

I am thinking it is the IS I like. I really liked how the 300 felt in my hand when hand holding. I wish I still had both to work with:(
I still had AF with the 300 + 1.4x. The 400 with 1.4x forget AF and your down to f8. Gonna need a lot light.

Here is one of the photos I did take. I did shoot it in RAW....Yeah!!...lol.
I don't like the fact that now I am using Raw I see how much the camera is off!!!

Well any way here is the photo, feel free to comment.

[richardho11]

Nice Photo!! Looks Tack Sharp to Me!! :D

[CyberDyneSystems]

That's just beautifull!

[condyk]

You did very well to get that close. We see so many heavily cropped bird shots, but this is nice. Looks like a bird and not just a collection of pixels ;)

The whole IS, speed, length, cash decision thing sucks! However, I do know that unless I'm stuck in a hide I then IS is essential for me.

[davidfig]

Nice photo. I can see the birds talon (feet) are in focus but just in front and just in back it goes out of focus.

Also what language did you use to get the bird to pose, or do you just sit there and wait for the right moment like I do? ;-)

[mebailey]

Great shot Brittany! It looks super sharp and I like the bokeh of that lens. Doesnt look wanting for IS at all. Excellent color and contrast too. Looks like you did your homework in post processing as well.

[britt777]

Thank you for all the compliments ...=)

[CorruptedPhotographer]

good job Brittany. thats a seet 400mm

[RikWriter]

good job Brittany. thats a seet 400mm
The 400 is indeed a sweeet lens.
http://www.pbase.com/rikwriter/image/48556251.jpg

[CorruptedPhotographer]

nice shot Rik

[foxbat]

Well any way here is the photo, feel free to comment.If that's one of your first shots with the 400 then you and that lens have a great future ahead of you.

[SolPics]

Wow! Great first shot Britt. It looks like you're going to have a lot of fun with that lens.

[CyberDyneSystems]

It's a Tri-Color Heron in front of an amazing Tri-Color background/bokeh!!!!!!!!

[britt777]

Well, I said I would keep everyone updated. I have decided to keep the 400. It is absolutely awesome and is definitely what I was looking for and more. I wish I could afford a 600, but just don't think I would ever want to carry that lens around any where. I have a hard enough time with the geer I have. Its like carrying around a bag of golf clubs.
Hope you enjoy the post. Happy shooting to all. Click On!!:lol:

[mrclark321]

Great shot Britt, love the colours!!
You should update your signature:rolleyes:

Dan

[britt777]

I hope this photo doesn't disapear too!!!! I don't know what happened to my other photos, but that just sucks!!!!

[mebailey]

Interesting that none of the other photos in the thread disappeared....

[Lester Wareham]

I will need a 400mm'ish soon as funding is permitted.

I was thinking the 300mm f4 IS + 1.4X also. Probably not quite as sharp as the 400mm f5.6 but more flexible with the IS. If I was only going to use it on a tripod I would go for the 400mm f5.6.

[RikWriter]

I will need a 400mm'ish soon as funding is permitted.

I was thinking the 300mm f4 IS + 1.4X also. Probably not quite as sharp as the 400mm f5.6 but more flexible with the IS. If I was only going to use it on a tripod I would go for the 400mm f5.6.

I use the 400 handheld all the time...it's not hard at all.

[danedel]

Why not the 400mm f/2.8L IS USM ?? Thats on my list ;)

[ghaleon109]

Do you guys really miss out on the 100-399mm range that the 100-400L would give? I'm really thinking about the 400 prime but I'm always kind of nervous being stuck with one focal length...

[RikWriter]

Do you guys really miss out on the 100-399mm range that the 100-400L would give? I'm really thinking about the 400 prime but I'm always kind of nervous being stuck with one focal length...

If I need that focal length, I have my 70-200 f2.8 and a 1.4x TC. But yeah, a 100-400 would be nice to have. I just can't justify the cost right now.

[ghaleon109]

If I need that focal length, I have my 70-200 f2.8 and a 1.4x TC. But yeah, a 100-400 would be nice to have. I just can't justify the cost right now.

That's what I was thinking about doing. I don't have the f2.8 but maby If I get better and start getting paid for this sort of thing I'll add the 70-200 f2.8 and the 400 with a 1.4 TC, that seems to be the best choice so far.

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

That's what I was thinking about doing. I don't have the f2.8 but maby If I get better and start getting paid for this sort of thing I'll add the 70-200 f2.8 and the 400 with a 1.4 TC, that seems to be the best choice so far.

I'm in the same boat as you ghaleon! I've discovered I shoot better with, and prefur primes, but that 400 would leave quite a gap... I've got a feeling it'd be best to experiment with a zoom first, then if you find you shoot primarily at 400mm to just sell it and get the prime. Otherwise, the zoom would probably be better... Tough choices! I think there should be a wack load of rental shops in every town and city so we could play with these toys before buying them.:D

[grego]

I hope this photo doesn't disapear too!!!! I don't know what happened to my other photos, but that just sucks!!!!

Use a host like imageshack.us. The photos shouldn't disappear then.

[britt777]

I found out what happened to the photos, I deleted my attachments in user CP. Duh

[Remshot]

I don't need ultra wide angle. My 24-70 works great for what I do.
If I did need an ultra wide, I would get the 16-35mm 2.8
I hope I don't find myself rationalizing the 500mm. I don't do that
much birding....lol. I would dump 5,000 plus dollars on my Harley
before a lens!!! I have more than one hobby....hehehe.

Wow! We have something in common! I ride a Harley Softail Deuce, and just started getting into photography last December.

So which HOG ya' have?