Budget Minded Bird Lens

[jhayesvw]

Originally Posted by Tom Reichner

I would be interested in knowing some further information from the survey results. I wonder how many of the people who responded to the survey have actually used all 3 of the lenses.

I have had my 100-400L for about 10k shots.
I have used a 300 f4 with and without 1.4 II TC alot (2k shots or so)
and have used the 400 5.6. 700+

I voted for the 400 5.6 as the best lens for birding, however, I would not replace my 100-400 with a 400 5.6.
I have taken LOTS of shots at under 400mm and would not trade that for anything.
Just a week ago I was resting on a rock and 3 deer came within 25 feet of me. I pulled back to 135mm and shot away. cant do that with a 400 or 300.

so, for general wildlife the 100-400 is king to me. but for only Birds (especially BIF) the 400 5.6 is the best value lens.

[Hogger69]

Thank you Jeremy, some very good points for me to consider as I too live in a very wildlife rich area and love to photograph just about anything that crosses my path.

[Black Bart]

The 400mm prime may be .00002 sec faster AF but unless I all-ready owned a 100-400 I would buy the 100-400 first.

I have no problem with BIF with my 100-400 but most of what I like to shoot is Bald Eagles they are not that fast.

My grandson road-races a motorcycle and I have no problem getting nice photos of him a 160 mph.

Practice with your panning skills will help more than relying on a millionth of a sec faster AF.

[Duane N]

Originally Posted by Black Bart

Practice with your panning skills will help more than relying on a millionth of a sec faster AF.

It's not the focus speed that's the difference (although there is a noticable difference) it's the speed at which the lens acquires the target.

[J.Litton]

I only (for the most part) do bird and wildlife photography.

The 400mm is a great lens, but there are countless times I would have missed shots if I was using that, and not the 100-400 due to the fact you can zoom out as they move closer.

[Keebert]

Versatility is touted as some must-have when the 100-400 is concerned yet most people would drop it in an instant for a faster prime if money was not an issue.

IMHO, if IQ is the most important thing for the OP, recommending anything other than a prime is odd. And I did just that earlier!

[mileslong24]

The versatility was also important for me, but I was thinking long term when I went with the 400 5.6. I plan on picking up a 70-200 in the future so I will have that for more of a wildlife/walkaround lens since I can throw both converters on there with good results. But for shooting just birds I also don't think its any question. IS becomes less important for BIF and alot of people seem to think the IS on the 100-400 isn't all that great anyway. Certainly not enough to make a difference if you have good technique. So I guess the main question OP should be asking is......am I buying a bird lens or a wildlife/walkaround lens.

[jhayesvw]

Originally Posted by Keebert

Versatility is touted as some must-have when the 100-400 is concerned yet most people would drop it in an instant for a faster prime if money was not an issue.

IMHO, if IQ is the most important thing for the OP, recommending anything other than a prime is odd. And I did just that earlier!

actually I dont think most people would drop their 100-400 for a fast prime.
they may ADD a fast prime, but I sure wouldnt let my 100-400 go if a 500 f4, 400 5.6 or 300 2.8 was my only other choice.
when im out photographing birds i almost always seem to have a few encounters where i want to shoot at under 400mm. the 100-400 allows that, primes dont.
if you have a decent copy of the 100-400 the IQ is very close to a 400 5.6 if not the same. Especially if you can micro adjust for it.

[Black Bart]

Originally Posted by Keebert

Versatility is touted as some must-have when the 100-400 is concerned yet most people would drop it in an instant for a faster prime if money was not an issue.

IMHO, if IQ is the most important thing for the OP, recommending anything other than a prime is odd. And I did just that earlier!

Don't know how you came up with this since the 100-400 cost about $150 more than a prime.
In fact some make the argument that the prime is the best because it cost less.

I recently bought a 600mm f4.5 but I have no intention of selling my 100-400 it is the most versatile and most used of all my lens.

[MakeMeShutter]

The best lens for birding is one that gets used, let's just leave it at that!

[Black Bart]

Originally Posted by MakeMeShutter

The best lens for birding is one that gets used, let's just leave it at that!

Sounds good to me.
I use mine nearly every day, That is the advantage of being retired.
I have not used my new 600 prime much yet but put a 1.4 TC on it and did a few shots with it the other day and I was impressed.
The 840mm really gets the details that lesser lens don't.

[dgrPhotos]

I have no experience birding with any of them but I just went through this process as well. I ended up choosing the 100-400 over the 400/5.6 because of IS, I knew it wasn't going to be on my gimbal head 100% of the time. I chose it over the 300/4 IS because it's only 300mm. Plus I do have experience in using multiple TC's but I prefer not to go that route because of IQ and speed hits.

[sloanbj]

Originally Posted by Duane N

I would even go as far as asking to see the larger birds in flight with that combo. I used the older 1.4II on my 400mm f/5.6L and 40D, 7D a few times but it would never focus fast enough on a moving target so I never even tried it again (I mainly photograph Bald Eagles...not the smallest bird in the world nor the fastest flyer.....

Here's a hunting Osprey from last week. I was on a bluff and he was well out over the Pacific. 100-400, Kenko 1.4 on a 5d2.



I have no particular trouble focusing AI Servo on birds which I can actually get in the view finder. Small flighty things I can't even get in the frame, so I don't expect the camera/lens to focus on them.

I have no complaints on the 100-400mm and use the full range when out birding because I'm interested in more than just birds.

[tonylong]

Sloan, to be clear, you were MFing with that lens/TC combo on the 5D2?

[sloanbj]

No. Autofocus. AI Servo mode.