What lens next? 300 f4L IS? 400 f5.6L? 100-400?

So I've been blessed with the opportunity to shoot some great D1 college sports, mostly Field Hockey, Soccer, Baseball and Lacrosse. But I feel that my current set up is beginning to hold me back. I'm without a doubt upgrading my body to a 1D Mark II within the next couple of weeks, but I'm also going to be looking at adding some long glass to my arsenal.

My 70-200 f4L has been amazing for Paintball, skiing and portraiture, but it is just missing the reach for other sports. The three used lenses I'm seriously considering are the 300 f4L IS, the 400 f5.6L and the 100-400L, because they are in my budget range of $1000-$1200. My favorite is the 300 f4L IS, because both the length and the 2 stop IS. The IS would also give me the opportunity to shoot some indoor sports, water polo, swimming/diving, basketball, volleyball, etc.

But the 3 things on my mind are; 1) that I've never shot with a long prime lens. Is it difficult to adjust to?, 2) Do I really need the 400 mm for the long field sports (soccer and lacrosse mostly), especially when on a 1.3x crop sensor? Is it worth losing the extra stop? and 3) I've got the 70-200 range covered, so would having the 100-400 be redundant?

Just looking for some input from other shooters, especially those who have shot some of these D1 college sports and/or who own these 3 lenses.

Thank you very much in advance!
Pace e Bene
-Cody

I say the 300 f/4 IS + a 1.4X II TC would be a great combo if you can swing it (depending on what deals you find it may exceed your budget slightly).

You would also be able to use the 1.4X TC on your 70-200.

I don't shoot sport but 2 things come to my mind:
1. you may want a zoom because the action will move across the field (unless you have 2 bodies)
2. you will loose some reach by moving to a 1D mk2

Wow three hours and not one person suggesting the Sigma 50-500 yet?

100-400 sounds like your kind of lens, I would have been stuffed if I had a 400 prime on so many occasions. But then will you need the 70-200?

The 300mm would be a good choice as you'll be shooting at f4. I think 300mm on that zoom would be at 5.6 which is too slow for sports. With f4 indoor sports may be possible. That extra stop is important. The IQ of the prime will be better as well.

Canon 300 f4 with IS or without. IS is good when objects don't move, in sport photography is useless Go for monopod and camera with good high ISO (7D, 1d mkIV )
100-400 and 400 5.6 in my opinion is too dark for sport photography

I recently bought a 400 5.6L and love it. I've gotten sharp images down to 1/400 handheld, although I will still try to stay around 1/1000 or above to compensate for lack of IS. I've got the 70-200 F4 and a 1.4x extender, so I didn't think it made sense to have a 100-400 IS. I don't like to have too much overlap as then I tend to just stick with one of the lenses and quit using the other one.

unchman14 wrote in post #12307501
My favorite is the 300 f4L IS, because both the length and the 2 stop IS. The IS would also give me the opportunity to shoot some indoor sports, water polo, swimming/diving, basketball, volleyball, etc.
-Cody

IMO Dont know if you will be satisfied with any of these lenses for indoor use unless your comfortable at ISO 3200 and some extra PP work.

Personally i would save up for the 70-200 f2.8 MKII IS USM + 1.4 extender which would put you at f4 for outdoors at 280mm and 70-200/f2.8 would be fine for your indoor objectives at a constant f2.8

The 2.8 zoom would allow you to stand pat in one location versus even a 2.8 fixed prime like the outstanding 300/f2.8 IS.

BTW the IS only helps with stationary subject matter.

I realize i suggested beyond your budget but your objectives dictate it.

JMHO

Regards whatever your decision,

Revo wrote in post #12308057
I say the 300 f/4 IS + a 1.4X II TC would be a great combo if you can swing it (depending on what deals you find it may exceed your budget slightly).

You would also be able to use the 1.4X TC on your 70-200.

I like this idea the best. Leaves me plenty of options for different shooting situations.

sekcyjny wrote in post #12308383
Canon 300 f4 with IS or without. IS is good when objects don't move, in sport photography is useless Go for monopod and camera with good high ISO (7D, 1d mkIV )
100-400 and 400 5.6 in my opinion is too dark for sport photography

Well the IS leaves me the option for panning shots, and hand holding if need be. But I do own a monopod, and as I mentioned in the first post, I'm picking up a 1D Mark II, which should hav considerably better high ISO noise handling than my XSi

Again, thanks for all of the replies and advice, and keep it coming!
Pace è bene
-Cody