Multi Sport Lens Question

Hi All,
Currently I'm using a 7d with a 70-200 f/4 IS coupled with a 1.4 extender to shoot a variety of sports. I'm finding that my max focal distance is too short so I'm thinking of ordering the 70-200 2.8 MKI IS with 2x extender for better low light quality and range.
I was talking to another photographer at the field and he swears by the 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS for sports during the day. Does anyone have any experience/opinions on using the 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS for action sports?

The 300mm f2.8 IS + TC is the way to go! You will be thrilled with this combo. It is the best solution for all around versatility.

butterfly2937 wrote in post #12768370
The 300mm f2.8 IS + TC is the way to go! You will be thrilled with this combo. It is the best solution for all around versatility.

Yep.

on a budget the 300F4LIS + 1.4xII will do just fine.

I have used the 100-400 for action sports, however, it is limited as you lose light in the evening.

300mm 2.8 IS is way out of my price range! Now I'm looking at the 300mm f/4 IS which looks really nice too

chrisbergmann wrote in post #12768332
Hi All,
Currently I'm using a 7d with a 70-200 f/4 IS coupled with a 1.4 extender to shoot a variety of sports. I'm finding that my max focal distance is too short so I'm thinking of ordering the 70-200 2.8 MKI IS with 2x extender for better low light quality and range.
I was talking to another photographer at the field and he swears by the 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS for sports during the day. Does anyone have any experience/opinions on using the 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS for action sports?

IMO, the reach you will get with the 2x TC and the 2.8 lens will be cancelled out by the degredation in IQ and negitivety lost stops of light while attached.
Sometimes you just have to wait for the action to come to you with the gear you have to use. I have a 2xTC and it is probebly the least used peice of equipment that I own. I also have a 100-400 and it is the second least used peice of equipment, while a great sharp lens it is limted when the light gets low.
The 300 2.8 w/wo the 1.4 TC is your best option it will easily double your funds needed for either of the other two options. 300 f/4 would be best but at night you will still need to wait for the action and use a flash for night field sports.

The biggest things to consider are: What are you looking to shoot? The needs for football are way different than for basketball and the needs for soccer are different from baseball. What is your overall goal for your photography? Are you just wanting to take quality photos of your kids/nephews/family members? Or are you building a portfolio to try and pick up stringer work for local media outlets? There really is no reason to drop $1500 or a lot more if you are just doing some family lens jockey work.

However, if you are looking to really dig in and make a big commitment of time and money then my suggestion is keep the 70-200 f4 and go for the 300mm 2.8 and a 1.4 tc. The guys that I know that have the 100-400 use it only as a situational lens not a primary lens. The primary lenses they (myself included) are using for sports is a 300 or 400 2.8 on a monopod and a 70-200 on the shoulder. I will also have 24-105 and 17-40 in the think tank speed racer waist bag. That is the kit that I use for Football, Soccer, Baseball, Softball, and track/field. Basketball, swimming and wrestling I will use a 24-105 and 70-200.

J.Napier wrote in post #12769925
IMO, the reach you will get with the 2x TC and the 2.8 lens will be cancelled out by the degredation in IQ and negitivety lost stops of light while attached.

Have you seen the MTF chart with the 300 2.8 IS II and 2x III? The degredation in image quality really isnt that bad for a 600mm f/5.6 setup. But... $$$$$$$$ and $$$$$$ http://usa.canon.com …ef_300mm_f_2_8l​_is_ii_usm

The 300 f/4 IS is pretty good but will lag alot with the 7D at night compared to the 300 2.8 IS. During the day it works fine mostly.

Kurt,
I have not seen the MTF chart, however I was refering to putting the 2x on the 70-200 2.8, I may not have been clear on that in my post. I used the 1.4 on my 70-200 2.8 this weekend at a Regional softball tourney and it hinders the focus speed as well.
I do know that the 300 2.8 will perform well with the 1.4 and probebly the x2 also but would not really want to push it for night time football or soccer and needing to use flash for Maxpreps would be pushing you out of range with the flash. I generally use my 200 1.8 with 1.4 TC for my football/ soccer work at night games.

Thanks for all the info. Mostly i'm shooting baseball for now but have also covered various other sports and am looking to expand. My day job working in a school district is really opening doors for me to cover sports within the district. So even with my experience level (less then a year) I really want to push forward and turn this into a profitable side business. I don't have an endless budget but I am willing to invest into quality equipment.
I think everyone agrees that the 300 2.8 is an excellent lens but its not in my budget anytime soon. I ordered the 300 f/4 IS used last night and am excited about trying it out at the baseball/soccer field in the upcoming days. I've decided to sell my 70-200 f/4 to upgrade to the 2.8 to improve my photos shooting under the lights in the evening.
Another question for you pros out there. When using a lens such as the 70-200 2.8 to shoot at a ball field at night. How are you configuring your white balance? With my 70-200 f/4 I had been increasing my exposure compensation 1-2 stops and setting my wb to kelvin 7200 to get adequate shots at night.
Thank you all for answering and commenting on posts. Your opinions are invaluable

A good choice ordering the 300F4LIS. This lens will serve you well outdoor/longer fields shoot. I always shoot raw and adjustments during p/p.

I have been able to add very costly equipment to my gear set by purchasing used equipment. I have purchsed a lot of gear from KEH in the Atlanta area. Their website is www.keh.com and are great to work with. The rating system is very strict. I bought my 400 2.8 from there and it was rated EX and all it had as paint wear on the tripod foot and that is standard wear. As far as white balance either shoot in raw and tweak it in lightroom, or spend $100 and get an EWxpodisc white balance filter and seta custom white balance. It is super easy and will save time in post.

@OP, sell that old clunker sitting out in your driveway and get a 300 f/2.8. You might not ever take it off the camera! Yeah, it is that good.

Jeff, I have not used extenders with the 70-200 so I do not know the degradation they will do with it.

To be honest, you will be happy with the 300 f/4 IS. During the day I do not notice a 'huge' difference between the f/4 and f/2.8 lenses. Yes... the 300 f/2.8 IS will get you a bunch more keepers and sharper images.. but I don't think that is worth the extra $3,000 or more if you are doing this for fun or a side job thing. Go out and shoot then then try the 300 2.8 IS down the road and see what you have been missing... the 300 f/4 IS will be a great backup