300mm F2.8 with 2x=600mm or 600mm F4?

[ShutterFever]

I am not sure which I choice between 300mm F2.8 with 2x=600mm or 600mm F4?

How much do you often to use 300mm F2.8 with 2x when you need 600mm for more closer up like surfing or
Wildlife animal?

Do 2x extender cause IQ look soft if you use it on 300mm with open full wide F2.8?
IQ look improve a lot if you used closed 1 or 2 stops down?

I think I will use 300mm F2.8 a lot cuz it is perfect for football, baseball, soccer, and I use 2x on 300mm for seldom surfing if I want to make good money as pro photographer for sell photos to sport magazines and surf magazines.

If I bought 600mm, I don’t think I will use it so much because I have to wait until bigger swell arrive at the beaches in California. 600mm is perfect for useful in Hawaii a lot because Hawaii always get big waves at distance from the shore almost daily, not like here California.

I like both of 300mm F 2.8 and 600mm but I can’t have both of them at same time, because of my limited budget.

I am little agonize with them.

[rcg]

The 2.0x extender IQ isn't too bad but focus speed suffers... for my work I'm looking at the 600mm first as I can range up my 200mm or use my 100-400 for mid-range shots. I'm going to get both for sure but the 600mm just can't be equaled!

[ShutterFever]

Originally Posted by rcg

The 2.0x extender IQ isn't too bad but focus speed suffers... for my work I'm looking at the 600mm first as I can range up my 200mm or use my 100-400 for mid-range shots. I'm going to get both for sure but the 600mm just can't be equaled!

If I bought 500mm or 600mm for surfing photos then I can use 100 to 400mm F5.6 L IS USM for sports, is this 100 to 400mm F5.6 good enough for sell photos to sport magazines as long as I use it for outdoor sports, not indoor?

I am not sure about IQ from 100 to 400mm F5.6 for sport magazines because sport magazines editors are picky for IQ.

[Tareq]

Originally Posted by ShutterFever

If I bought 500mm or 600mm for surfing photos then I can use 100 to 400mm F5.6 L IS USM for sports, is this 100 to 400mm F5.6 good enough for sell photos to sport magazines as long as I use it for outdoor sports, not indoor?

I am not sure about IQ from 100 to 400mm F5.6 for sport magazines because sport magazines editors are picky for IQ.

Have a look in threads about 100-400L sample images and search in sports section about 100-400 and see the results.
I have sharp copy of this lens, and it is L, so IQ mostly is high.

[calicokat]

I think you answered your own question. The 600 is so long, how often would you use it. The 300 is much more versatile, use it with a 1.4 or 2x. And the IQ is not degraded much either

[ShutterFever]

Originally Posted by calicokat

I think you answered your own question. The 600 is so long, how often would you use it. The 300 is much more versatile, use it with a 1.4 or 2x. And the IQ is not degraded much either

Yes, that's why I want to find out what owners of 300mm F2.8 mention about their IQ look like after they use 2x on 300mm.

Did you use your own 300mm F2.8 with 2x too?

[ShutterFever]

Originally Posted by Tareq

Have a look in threads about 100-400L sample images and search in sports section about 100-400 and see the results.
I have sharp copy of this lens, and it is L, so IQ mostly is high.

Yes, I saw some photos from 100-400 L at here and I am impressed.

I think 100-400 L IS USM is perfect for use anything like outdoor sports, birds, spy on people ( Candid ) etc...

Also, I can use 100-400 for back up during I use 600mm for surf photo at point break then I grab 100-400 for shot some photos of surfer as soon as surfer enter "too close up zone of 600mm's range"

[calicokat]

Originally Posted by ShutterFever

Yes, that's why I want to find out what owners of 300mm F2.8 mention about their IQ look like after they use 2x on 300mm.

Did you use your own 300mm F2.8 with 2x too?

Yes I do, and the IQ is fabulous.

Here are a couple shots that show the quality of the 300 and 2X

[tomhide]

Woow, thats some high quality photos.

[roli_bark]

Originally Posted by calicokat

Yes I do, and the IQ is fabulous.

Here are a couple shots that show the quality of the 300 and 2X

First off - execellent shots indeed.
Are these exceptional shots, or represent good results you have w the 300 2/8 IS + x 2.0 TC on a regular basis ?

[grego]

Originally Posted by roli_bark

First off - execellent shots indeed.
Are these exceptional shots, or represent good results you have w the 300 2/8 IS + x 2.0 TC on a regular basis ?

Well regular basis would depend on what type of situations you put the lens through. And that would pertain to any lens when pushing it on more extreme ends. It's more likely not to deliever as commonly.

With that said, I doubt he would mention about the 2x tc in positive light if it were very inconsistent.

[calicokat]

I get great results on a consistent basis with the 300 and 2X, it has not let me down yet. So far, I have used it for wildlife/birding only.

[ShutterFever]

calicokat,

wow! Your IQ seem excellent!

I wonder, if you used 2x on your 300mm, do 2x cause some problem AF?

Few pros told me that they have some problem with 2x on their 300mm F2.8, like AF lose some control and little slower down sometimes.

If you say no, your 300mm with 2x dont cause out of AF's control and pretty good AF.

This make me tempting to buy 300mm because this 300mm F2.8 is lighter weight than 400 F2.8 and 600 F4,which is perfect for travel around the world for surfing photos.

I wonder, how did surf photographers deal with airlines' restriction if they allow them to carry big lens like 400 F2.8 and 600 F4 in the airlines? I know that pros dont like to let airlines' baggage handlers to take care of their big lens.

[calicokat]

Originally Posted by ShutterFever

calicokat,

wow! Your IQ seem excellent!

I wonder, if you used 2x on your 300mm, do 2x cause some problem AF?

Few pros told me that they have some problem with 2x on their 300mm F2.8, like AF lose some control and little slower down sometimes.

If you say no, your 300mm with 2x dont cause out of AF's control and pretty good AF.

This make me tempting to buy 300mm because this 300mm F2.8 is lighter weight than 400 F2.8 and 600 F4,which is perfect for travel around the world for surfing photos.

I wonder, how did surf photographers deal with airlines' restriction if they allow them to carry big lens like 400 F2.8 and 600 F4 in the airlines? I know that pros dont like to let airlines' baggage handlers to take care of their big lens.

The AF on the 300 is lightning quick, add a 2x and it gets a little slower, but very fast still, doesn't give me any problems

As for carry on's and airlines. You are correct about not letting your gear get checked on, mishandled and theft being the problems. You can carry on one item that fits in the overhead. I bring a Lowepro Photo Trekker with my 1DMII and 300 F/2.8 (hood reversed) with an additional camera body, two more lenses, a flash, light meter, extra batteries, memory cards and such for the overhead. You can have a small bag for under the seat as well.

If you want to travel with a 400 F/2.8 or 600 F/4, its the same process as stated above, get it into a camera backpack and place it in the overhead

[roli_bark]

Originally Posted by calicokat

If you want to travel with a 400 F/2.8 or 600 F/4, its the same process as stated above, get it into a camera backpack and place it in the overhead

600 f/4 in a Camera backpack, and stored overhead ? I find it very difficult to accomplish ... please give some hints on howto.