would you trade a 70-200 f4 IS for a 400mm f5.6?

I am thinking about making some moves due to some recent activity from the Canon refurb store.
I have both the 70-200 f4 IS and the 70-200 2.8 IS II
Obviously, I don't NEED to keep the f4 IS but I'm sure at some point I may want to grab that instead of the 2.8 II because of good light and much lower weight.
Funny thing though is this.
I haven't touched it.
I got it last year after I sold my 70-200 f4 and immediately got a great deal on the 2.8 II.
Like so much of the gear I have, I bought faster than I could use it so it stayed nice and pristine in my Tamrac bag.

sigh

So, I wanted more reach after getting the 5D III and trying the 2.8 II for birds in flight in May I began to think again about the 2X III Extender.

I posted about what happened here.

https://photography-on-the.net …p?p=14846795#po​st14846795

So what I am thinking is that rather than using a 2X III extender, maybe I should consider trading my f4 IS straight up for a 400 5.6.
Does this make sense?
I could sell both of the Extenders on the sell forum.

Just want to see what you all think.

Thanks!

Makes sense to me. Go for it. The 400 may be slow but I have seen amazing images from that lens.

If you are not using the 70-200f 4IS, I would sell it, regardless. I hate things that gather dust.

If you don't use the f4, then the move makes sense.

My girlfriend is none too happy about it cause.......she wants to use it on the 5D2 that the 5D3 replaced.
But just like the T2i I got for her.....she doesn't use it.
LOL

The f4 IS has stayed in the box except for the one time she used it on the T2i last May.
Other than that one time, the lens hasn't really been used at all other than a shot or two around the house.
A pristine 400 5.6 is a good trade for a 70-200 f4 IS wouldn't you say?

If you don't see it being used, but you will use the 400L - go for it. Get the girlfriend a 55-250mm to keep her quiet.

I would do it for the reach if you have the f/2.8 70-200. In fact I would do that trade with you. I have one for sale.

jimewall wrote in post #14859531
If you don't see it being used, but you will use the 400L - go for it. Get the girlfriend a 55-250mm to keep her quiet.

I would....and do have that one along with the ef-s kit 18-55.
She did film back in the day 20+ years ago. Had a Nikon F3.

She just hasn't gotten the time I guess.

KarlGB77 wrote in post #14859716
I would....and do have that one along with the ef-s kit 18-55.
She did film back in the day 20+ years ago. Had a Nikon F3.

She just hasn't gotten the time I guess.

Time ... To get back into photography or to be quiet? Sorry, couldn't resist - and am kidding!

For now then the 55-250 should be fine for her. Eventually she is probably going to want to use the MKII. Since everyone says it is better than all others.

Either way it is your lens and your call, plus she should be happy that you are getting a lens that would see more use.

I kick myself everyday for selling my 400 5.6 and it was only because of hard times a few years ago. I was always VERY happy with the IQ and sharpness of that lens.

400mm f5.6 - Best birds in flight lens, period. So buy it and use it.

If you are going for BIF, the 400 f/5.6 is the king, without paying BIG bucks for one of the fast, super Teles. This move makes perfect sense based on your description of the situation.

You will always get better, more consistent results from 'native' focal length than you will from a shorter lens with a TC tacked on to it.

I love my 70-200 f/4 IS, but if you are only using the f/2.8 version, you may as well sell it and get something you will use.

BTW, the EFS 55-250mm will not work on your girlfriend's 5D2. It will only work on the Rebel, if she still has that camera.

Scott M wrote in post #14860947
BTW, the EFS 55-250mm will not work on your girlfriend's 5D2. It will only work on the Rebel, if she still has that camera.

This is true!

I assumed that the 5DII was the OP's back-up camera to his new 5DIII, because of this statement,

KarlGB77 wrote in post #14859299
My girlfriend is none too happy about it cause.......she wants to use it on the 5D2 that the 5D3 replaced.
But just like the T2i I got for her.....she doesn't use it.
LOL

The f4 IS has stayed in the box except for the one time she used it on the T2i last May.
Other than that one time, the lens hasn't really been used at all other than a shot or two around the house.
A pristine 400 5.6 is a good trade for a 70-200 f4 IS wouldn't you say?

and that her camera was really the T2i. The 55-250 will fit the T2i.

The OP's reply of

KarlGB77 wrote in post #14859716
I would....and do have that one along with the ef-s kit 18-55.
She did film back in the day 20+ years ago. Had a Nikon F3.

She just hasn't gotten the time I guess.

substantiated my assumption.

But if indeed she has the 5DII, then no the 55-250 will not work on it.

She could still use the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS MKII though. Especially if that is all he had, while he has the 400L on (that he would like to get instead of HIS almost non-used other 70-200mm).

KarlGB77 wrote in post #14859299
A pristine 400 5.6 is a good trade for a 70-200 f4 IS wouldn't you say?

If you can find someone willing, go for it. However, given the sale prices I have been watching for oth lenses, you may have to add in a little of the cash from selling one of the extenders.

With you having the 2.8 v2 there is no reason to keep the other one. It will only continue to drop in value as it gets older, and $$ is worth less tomorrow than it is today. Make the move and post the shots.

Go for it, for birds in flight the 400mm 5.6 is king.