Wildlife 300 2.8 or 500 4.0 advice ?

loebas · 20th of November 2006 (Mon)

I want to get better results with regard to wildlife photography.
As you are often in rather dark and difficult light circumstances I'm considering to save a few years for one of the above lenses.

Attached you find a link to my kind of wildlife photograpy
http://www.photo.net/photos/Timo%20de%20Kruif

Given this information I wonder what lens you reccomend me and why ?

looking forward to your reply

GyRob · 20th of November 2006 (Mon)

you have some great shots there , and it looks like you can get close to you subjects or have a long lens already , both lense's are great and both work very well with 1.4 or 2x tc's AF Only with a 1d series for the 2x's on the 500mm though .
if you need the reach get the 500mm if not the 300mm .
Rob

gasrocks · 20th of November 2006 (Mon)

Looks like longer is better in your case, as it usually is. Get the 500/4

SolPics · 20th of November 2006 (Mon)

I would go for the 500 f/4. I think the reach will be more important than f/2.8 and weight. It's an awesome lens.

ssim · 20th of November 2006 (Mon)

It's not an easy answer. The 300 is one of the sharpest lenses that I have and it is a treat to walk around with. Even with the 1.4TC on it you can quite easily handhold it. I did find that I did not have the reach that I wanted for smaller birds so I bought 500 f4. I still wasn't getting quite "there" so I added the 600 f4. There are still times when you are shooting a rather nervous bird that the 600 with a TC is not enough. There are time when shooting larger animals such as deer with just the 500 it was too much.

The other thing to remember is that if you go the 500 route you need a really good tripod system. I have a Gitzo carbon fibre tripod with a Kirk BH-1 head on it with a Wimberly sidekick. This worked great for the 300 but found that the 500 was almost too much for it. I ended up getting another tripod and a Wimberly VII head. That is a godsend to shoot with. I have hand held the 500 but you don't want to do it for very long and you have to have very high shutter speed.

Heatseeker99 · 20th of November 2006 (Mon)

You have some great shots in your gallery!

canonshooter4life · 20th of November 2006 (Mon)

I know a guy who hand holds the 500 all the time so it is possible and he is a really good photographer... when i get a better job i will also be saving up for the 500...

Brandon

wiselion · 20th of November 2006 (Mon)

I have owned both. I would with out a thought get the 300 and the 2x converter. My 300 with the 2x was sharper than the 500 by itself. I sold them b/c I just was not using them enough. Thats alot of cash to be lying in a low-pro bag if you know what I mean. With the 300 you have 2.8 when you need it, and throwing the 2x on gives you 600mm of razor sharpness. You can get the 300 plus 2x converter for around $4150 at onecall.com. The 500 will cost you about $1400 more. In my opinion it is not worth the extra cash.

Mike

loebas · 21st of November 2006 (Tue)

Can someone show me some results of the 300 2.8 with a 2Xconverter ?

Is a 500mm with a monopod an option ?

CyberDyneSystems · 21st of November 2006 (Tue)

I love the 500mm on a monopod,. though it's best on a tripod with a Wimberly head,. the IS means that a Monopod is a seriously good and more portable solution. So terrain and subject dictate which I chose.

Here's a link to the "-= 300mm f/2.8L IS image archive thread
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=141298

Some of the images in there will be with the 2X..

Sprout Crumble · 21st of November 2006 (Tue)

I'd go for the 500. I use my Bigma more than my 300/2.8EX for birds especially. Saving up for the 500 as we speak but the Bigmas staying regardless. Terrific lens.

Tapeman · 21st of November 2006 (Tue)

I too am saving for one of those long primes. I think I will get the 300 2.8 first. The 500 4 will require a tripod upgrade as well. ($1K.)

gasrocks · 21st of November 2006 (Tue)

I handheld my 500 + 1.4x for hours today doing eagles. OK, it was only minutes at a time on the 20D. Also did a few w/ 500 + 1.4x + 1.4x. And handheld the MKIIN + 300/2.8 + 2X. Why do people think they will have to spend $1K on a better tripod to get a 500/4?

Billginthekeys · 21st of November 2006 (Tue)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gasrocks

I handheld my 500 + 1.4x for hours today doing eagles. OK, it was only minutes at a time on the 20D. Also did a few w/ 500 + 1.4x + 1.4x. And handheld the MKIIN + 300/2.8 + 2X. Why do people think they will have to spend $1K on a better tripod to get a 500/4?

you dont HAVE to get a great tripod to use the lens (although theres no way id trust one of a cheap one), but it sure would help. and $1k isnt that unrealistic an amount to pay for a good support system for a $5K (and more importantly >10lb) lens. a gitzo 1325 pair of legs and wimberly gimbal head will cost you $1.2K roughly.

gasrocks · 21st of November 2006 (Tue)

Bogen 475B legs, Bogen 3421 gimbal head is overkill for the 500/4 at $400. new.

20th of November 2006 (Mon)	#1
loebas Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 432	Wildlife 300 2.8 or 500 4.0 advice ? I want to get better results with regard to wildlife photography. As you are often in rather dark and difficult light circumstances I'm considering to save a few years for one of the above lenses. Attached you find a link to my kind of wildlife photograpy http://www.photo.net/photos/Timo%20de%20Kruif Given this information I wonder what lens you reccomend me and why ? looking forward to your reply

20th of November 2006 (Mon)	#2
GyRob Cream of the Crop Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: N.E.LINCOLNSHIRE UK. Posts: 9,691 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Wildlife 300 2.8 or 500 4.0 advice ? you have some great shots there , and it looks like you can get close to you subjects or have a long lens already , both lense's are great and both work very well with 1.4 or 2x tc's AF Only with a 1d series for the 2x's on the 500mm though . if you need the reach get the 500mm if not the 300mm . Rob

20th of November 2006 (Mon)	#3
gasrocks Cream of the Crop Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portage, Wisconsin USA Posts: 12,635	Re: Wildlife 300 2.8 or 500 4.0 advice ? Looks like longer is better in your case, as it usually is. Get the 500/4 __________________ GEAR LIST http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...&postcount=842

20th of November 2006 (Mon)	#4
SolPics Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Solana Beach, CA Posts: 709	Re: Wildlife 300 2.8 or 500 4.0 advice ? I would go for the 500 f/4. I think the reach will be more important than f/2.8 and weight. It's an awesome lens. __________________ SolPics Cannon 5D 30D, 50 f/1.4, 85 f/1.8, 135 f/2.0 L, 200 f/2.8 L, 500 f/4.0 L IS 17-40 f/4.0 L, 24-70 f/2.8 L, 70-200 f/2.8 L IS, 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L, 580 EX, Gitzo Tripod, all sorts of bags.

20th of November 2006 (Mon)	#5
ssim POTN Landscape & Cityscape Photographer 2005 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: southern Alberta, Canada Posts: 10,792	Re: Wildlife 300 2.8 or 500 4.0 advice ? It's not an easy answer. The 300 is one of the sharpest lenses that I have and it is a treat to walk around with. Even with the 1.4TC on it you can quite easily handhold it. I did find that I did not have the reach that I wanted for smaller birds so I bought 500 f4. I still wasn't getting quite "there" so I added the 600 f4. There are still times when you are shooting a rather nervous bird that the 600 with a TC is not enough. There are time when shooting larger animals such as deer with just the 500 it was too much. The other thing to remember is that if you go the 500 route you need a really good tripod system. I have a Gitzo carbon fibre tripod with a Kirk BH-1 head on it with a Wimberly sidekick. This worked great for the 300 but found that the 500 was almost too much for it. I ended up getting another tripod and a Wimberly VII head. That is a godsend to shoot with. I have hand held the 500 but you don't want to do it for very long and you have to have very high shutter speed. __________________ My life is like one big RAW file....way too much post processing needed. Sheldon Simpson \| My Gallery \| My Gear updated: 20JUL12

20th of November 2006 (Mon)	#6
Heatseeker99 Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 591 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Wildlife 300 2.8 or 500 4.0 advice ? You have some great shots in your gallery! __________________ A.J. 1D mkIII \ 24-105L \70-200 2.8IS II \ 35L \ 85 1.8 \ Kenko 1.4x \ 580EXII \ 430EX + every piece of Nikon/Photogenic equipment imaginable at the studio.

20th of November 2006 (Mon)	#7
canonshooter4life Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Southern Ontario Posts: 974	Re: Wildlife 300 2.8 or 500 4.0 advice ? I know a guy who hand holds the 500 all the time so it is possible and he is a really good photographer... when i get a better job i will also be saving up for the 500... Brandon

20th of November 2006 (Mon)	#8
wiselion Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Albany,NY Posts: 621	Re: Wildlife 300 2.8 or 500 4.0 advice ? I have owned both. I would with out a thought get the 300 and the 2x converter. My 300 with the 2x was sharper than the 500 by itself. I sold them b/c I just was not using them enough. Thats alot of cash to be lying in a low-pro bag if you know what I mean. With the 300 you have 2.8 when you need it, and throwing the 2x on gives you 600mm of razor sharpness. You can get the 300 plus 2x converter for around $4150 at onecall.com. The 500 will cost you about $1400 more. In my opinion it is not worth the extra cash. Mike __________________ Canon 30D w/ battery grip, Canon 70-200 f/4, Sigma ex 100-300 f/4, Canon 1.4X Teleconverter, Canon 2.0X MK2 Teleconverter,Canon RS-80N3 remote switch, Manfrotto 3021 pro tripod, Manfrotto 3047 Panhead, Manfrotto 679B monopod, Lowepro 600 AW backpack,Quantaray U-100 backpack,Visible dust sensor cleaning kit. Incredible wife to put up with my hobby...

21st of November 2006 (Tue)	#9
loebas Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 432	Re: Wildlife 300 2.8 or 500 4.0 advice ? Can someone show me some results of the 300 2.8 with a 2Xconverter ? Is a 500mm with a monopod an option ?

21st of November 2006 (Tue)	#10
CyberDyneSystems Wait, all that time and all I get is "Cream of the Damn Crop" ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Providence RI Posts: 37,764 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Wildlife 300 2.8 or 500 4.0 advice ? I love the 500mm on a monopod,. though it's best on a tripod with a Wimberly head,. the IS means that a Monopod is a seriously good and more portable solution. So terrain and subject dictate which I chose. Here's a link to the "-= 300mm f/2.8L IS image archive thread http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=141298 Some of the images in there will be with the 2X.. __________________ GEAR LIST CDS' HOT LINKS My POTN Share Threads Jake Hegnauer Photography

21st of November 2006 (Tue)	#11
Sprout Crumble Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 437	Re: Wildlife 300 2.8 or 500 4.0 advice ? I'd go for the 500. I use my Bigma more than my 300/2.8EX for birds especially. Saving up for the 500 as we speak but the Bigmas staying regardless. Terrific lens. __________________ 7D/BGE7, 40D/BGE2, 1100D, NEX5, V1, 10/2.8EX, 15/2.8EX, 24L, 35L, 50/1.0L, 50/1.4, 50/1.8, 85L, 100/2.0, 100L, 150/2.8EX, 300/2.8EX, 10-22/3.5, 70-200/4L, 70-200/2.8EX, 50-500/4.0EX, 17L TSE, 45TSE, 65MPE, 1.4EX/2xEX, MR14EX, 580EXII/550EX/270EXII, Neotec/055MF3/488RC2/454,

21st of November 2006 (Tue)	#12
Tapeman Sliced Bread Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 2,766	Re: Wildlife 300 2.8 or 500 4.0 advice ? I too am saving for one of those long primes. I think I will get the 300 2.8 first. The 500 4 will require a tripod upgrade as well. ($1K.) __________________ Canon 1D MKIV, 5D MKII, 16-35/2.8L II, 24-105/4L, 70-200/2.8L IS II, IS, 500/4 L IS II, 50/2.5 macro, 1.4x MKII, 1.4X MKIII, & 2X MKIII, 580EX II, 550EXs(2), ST-E2. Gitzo 1228, 1275, 1558, Lensbaby 3G. Epson 3880

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