Canon EF 300mm f/4.0L USM IS or Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM

[copout]

I am looking to buy a new lens but an unsure which to go for. I would welcome advise on whether to buy a Canon EF 300mm f/4.0L USM IS and a 1.4 converter or go for the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM. I am thinking possibly the 300mm as this has IS. What are the plus and minus points of each lens. There are no dealers in my part of the country which stock any of these lens to try.I will be using it with a 400D and 40D
Thank you

[mrerico]

subscribed.

[JeffreyG]

If you really need a 400mm lens all the time, get the 400/5.6. The lens is very sharp with very fast AF.

The exact same praise can be given to the 300/4. Native this lens is very sharp with very fast AF. My 300/4 also works really well with a 1.4X TC. The AF slows down a little I suppose, but I have not missed sporting shots in servo focus with the combination. I also have no compunction with shooting the combo wide open (f/5.6). The IQ of the combo is stellar.

To me the main decider should be based on 3 things in order of importance:
1. Do you need a 300 and a 400? Or just a 400? If you need both get the 300.
2. Do you need a macro lens? The 300/4 makes for a great macro (1:0.33 with TC) for flowers and stuff.
3. If you can't decide, get the IS.

Don't overestimate the value of the 300/4 IS though. This was the second Canon lens to get IS. The gen 1 IS is worth about 1 stop (maybe 2) in handholding. It is nothing like the 4 stop IS in the latest lenses.

[Canon Bob]

I've got both options and they have different strengths.

What do you intend to use it for?.....

Bob

[copout]

I want a longer lens for general wildlife work. I recently went up to see the sea birds at RSPB Bempton and they were to far away to get a good shot. I also want one that will allow me to get photographs of flighty dragonflies at a reasonable distance.

Thanks to all for their comments

[Canon Bob]

For flying birds and dragonflies, I'd go for the 400....the IS on the 300 wouldn't be much help in this situation. My 400 is quicker to focus and gives a crisper image than the native 300 (even before the T/C is factored in).

Bob

[In2Photos]

Originally Posted by Canon Bob

For flying birds and dragonflies, I'd go for the 400....the IS on the 300 wouldn't be much help in this situation. My 400 is quicker to focus and gives a crisper image than the native 300 (even before the T/C is factored in).

Bob

I agree with Bob. Also pick up a set of extension tubes to use with the 400 for dragonflies as the MFD is a little long for them.

[Larry Weinman]

Originally Posted by Canon Bob

For flying birds and dragonflies, I'd go for the 400....the IS on the 300 wouldn't be much help in this situation. My 400 is quicker to focus and gives a crisper image than the native 300 (even before the T/C is factored in).

Bob

I have to disagree here. Flying birds, yes the 400 will focus faster but dragonflies, no, the 12 foot minimum focus distance is an anchor around your neck for dragonflies. In addition, IS is very useful for stabilizing something small like a dragonflyin your viewfinder.

[macroshot]

The difference in MFD is significant. 4.9 ft for the 300 vs. 11.5 ft for the 400 - and I have found that sometimes 4.9 ft seems a bit far when I have to start backing up to get focus.

The IS is awesome though. Works flawlessly. As an aside - some of my absolute best shots have come at 1/250 & f/4 in the evening when shooting in the garden (plants and dragonflies, interestingly enough).

[macroshot]

Originally Posted by Larry Weinman

the 12 foot minimum focus distance is an anchor around your neck for dragonflies. In addition, IS is very useful for stabilizing something small like a dragonfly in your viewfinder.

I type too slow!

[Zwiz]

How about the 100-400mm L IS? If you really want to choose between the 300mm and the 400mm I would go with the 300mm IS which is more versatile (macro and IS). Most of the time, you will have to use a tripod with the 400mm L.

I took this macro shot a week ago with the 300mm: http://picasaweb.google.com/blubOmat...15524142273906

[brianch]

do you have a 70-200 with IS? i am in the same boat and i am most likely going to get the 400mm. Its mostly going to be for wildlife. If I ever needed a Canon lens that goes to 300mm and has IS i would put a TC on my 70-200. thats how i came to my answer. (300 or 400)

[Canon Bob]

Originally Posted by Larry Weinman

I have to disagree here. Flying birds, yes the 400 will focus faster but dragonflies, no, the 12 foot minimum focus distance is an anchor around your neck for dragonflies. In addition, IS is very useful for stabilizing something small like a dragonflyin your viewfinder.

I would agree with this and use tubes when required. A quick idea of what you get for focus range with various tube combinations/lengths;

13mm 2.55m to 15.00m
21mm 2.30m to 9.00m
31mm 2.10m to 5.80m
52mm 1.75m to 3.80m
65mm 1.55m to 3.10m
Values are based on someones real world tests and posted on another forum.

Bob

[4g63photo]

I would go with the 400mm. Putting TCs on a lens is ok but not the best way to go. If your looking for reach then 400 would be great. It is a very light weight lens you can hand hold without any problems. Its lighter than the 100-400 and although I have not looked into it, I bet it will be lighter than a 300mm with a 1.4 tc. Its a tiny hair cheaper. Yes, you will be lacking IS but when you put a tc on it, you loose some image quality. Good luck with your purchase. Either lens you choose will be a great lens.

[pturton]

The 300 + EF 1.4 TC is a much more versatile package than the 400 f/5.6 L alone. I use my 300 with/without TC much more often than my 400 f/5.6 L mostly because the 300 has close focus of 1.5 M.

With a EF 12 extension tube the 300 f/4 L IS provides a magnification of 0.3~0.04 and a minimum focus of 1.33 M while the 400 f/5.6 L with the EF 25 extension tube has 0.21~0.07 magnification and close focus of 2.5 M. Adding more extension to the 400 f/5.6 results in slower focus and darker VF.

If all your subjects are beyond 6 M and are larger than a robin, the 400 may be the best choice. But if you want versatility, the 300 plus TCs is the best choice IMHO. The 300 f/4 L IS gives very exceptable images with both the EF 1.4 and EF 2 TCs if stopped down 1/2 -1 stop.