Next lens purchase?

So I THINK my GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) is finally settling down, and I am at a point where my bodies are set (7D and 1D Mark III, which I should have by Friday). I also have a 70-200 2.8 IS, 50 1.4 and 85 1.8. This gets me through indoor sports, doing high school basketball now. I also have a 100-400 which I am trying to sell, but not going anywhere, so I guess I'm going to have to keep it, unless a miracle happens.

So... The question is: what would be the next lens to get, if any? I shoot softball, soccer, baseball and football outdoors. Not sure I can get used to the push-pull of the 100-400. Maybe a 300 f4, and an extender for the 70-200? Or just stick with what I have?

Thanks.

Sell off the 100-400 (eventually) upgrade the 70-200 IS to the MKII version, buy 1.4 or 2.0x TC, and maybe a 300 f/4 if you still need it

I am actually trying to upgrade my 70-200 to the Mark II, but that kinda depends on selling the 100-400, but I'm going to try for the upgrade anyway. Funny, I had a 2x II teleconverter, but sold it when I bought the 100-400. You know what they say about hindsight...

Thanks for the reply...

First you can get buy with what you have. And of course it all depends why you are shooting these sports. So take all of this with a grain of salt. And I'm making an assumption you will be using these lens' for High School Sports.

I'm not sure what you have to fund your "G.A.S", but for soccer and football the logical choice would be a 400mm f/2.8. For soccer I'll use the 400mm with a 1.4 ET on one body and the 70-200 on the other. You can cover 98% of the field in one spot with this combo. I'll also use this combo for Football and can cover around 95% of the field as well.

And as stated you can get buy with less, but a 400 would give you the best setup.

As far as the 100-400 L, that is a sweet lens. It has great IQ, fast AF and a great focal length for high school baseball. The only thing it is lacking is subject isolation. Couple it with the 70-200 and baseball is well covered. And given the price, it's a nice lens to have in the bag.

Lesser options would be a 300mm f/2.8 or f/4. Another option is the Sigma 120-300 2.8. So for discussion here is the order I'd suggest to you:

1. Canon 400mm 2.8
2. Canon 300mm 2.8
3. Canon 300mm f/4
4. Sigma 120-300 2.8

For HS football I'd swap #3 and #4, but for all other sports I'd rank them as above.

And again, I've kept my 100-400L for HS Baseball. It's just too convenient. I've also used this lens for Collage Football a few times. I don't like the small aperture, but other then that it has it all.

Keep an eye on marketplace. I picked up a 70-200 II several weeks back for $1800.00, and another sold at that price last week, and I think there is another for sale currently at that price. The IQ is better then the I, and being as such 80% of the time it's the only lens I use for HS Basketball. I can shoot across the court and still count pours after a tight crop.

dwarrenr wrote in post #13690741
I'm not sure what you have to fund your "G.A.S", but for soccer and football the logical choice would be a 400mm f/2.8.

Yeah...I wish I had $11,500 !!!

dwarrenr wrote in post #13690741
I'm not sure what you have to fund your "G.A.S"...

In other words, I buy stuff I "think" I need, instead of getting what I REALLY need. That's why I came to my senses and got rid of the 5D Mark II and got a 1D III.

But, since I can't sell my 100-400, and can't really sell my 70-200, I'm going to have to stick with what I have for now. The 70-200 Mark II and an extender would be perfect, but I'll have to wait...

And yea, I wish I had $11,500 too!!!

Del Boy wrote in post #13693216
Yeah...I wish I had $11,500 !!!

LOL. He does not have to buy new. I think there is a used 400 2.8L II currently listed $3600.

https://photography-on-the.net …t=1129896&highl​ight=400mm

Why would you sell the 100-400? That's my favorite lens for any field sport in the daytime. I use it for soccer, softball, lacrosse....

Nothing beats the range and versatility of the 100-400.

JeffreyG wrote in post #13694281
Why would you sell the 100-400? That's my favorite lens for any field sport in the daytime. I use it for soccer, softball, lacrosse....

Nothing beats the range and versatility of the 100-400.

I guess not being used to push-pull, and it being such a dust magnet. I might just end up putting it back in my bag.

I guess another thing, and it's probably dumb, but was maybe hoping for lenses that I could use outdoors, but also indoors if I had to. I've had the 100-400 on sale for a month now, and got no takers, but I also figure no one needs an f/4 lens in the winter. And who knows, maybe it will be decent on my 1D III when I get it.

Thanks for your reply...

Get the Sigma 120-300 2.8

kenjancef wrote in post #13689006
I shoot softball, soccer, baseball and football outdoors.

Outdoor soccer with a Sigma 150-500mm OS lens.

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I vote against the 150-500 because you lose the separation from the background that a shallow depth of field affords

arich wrote in post #13706034
I vote against the 150-500 because you lose the separation from the background that a shallow depth of field affords

Was thinking the same. I didn't know that the lens was f/5-6.3.

arich wrote in post #13706034
I vote against the 150-500 because you lose the separation from the background that a shallow depth of field affords

This is true, but DC point is valid. There or less expenseive options for those who don't have, are the need, to spend over 5k (or more if buying new) for a single lens.

dwarrenr wrote in post #13707130
This is true, but DC point is valid. There or less expenseive options for those who don't have, are the need, to spend over 5k (or more if buying new) for a single lens.

And I fall into that category.. Lol

So, since my original post, I managed to trade my 5DII for a VERY clean 1D3, and I love it. I also managed to upgrade to the 70-200 Mark II. So I can only afford 2 options at this point:

1. 300 f/4
2. Either 1.4 or 2x Extender

The 120-300 is scarce, so not sure of that option. Also, with the Extender, i am assuming that there is a difference between the version II and III, especially if used with a 70-200 Mark II, correct? I could do a version III.

Thanks for all of the replies and help!!

EDIT: Just saw a 120-300 in the Sell forum, but no way I can go there now, $900-$1,000 is my extreme limit.