Best 'One lens' for wildlife?

What lens would be the sharpest and give a great focal length for med-long range wildlife shooting?
I've been looking at the 400mm f/5.6 L USM as it's got great reviews for sharpness and detail, it's a good focal length, not too bad on the wallet and a not break-your-back heavy.

What do you guys and gals think?

Bare in mind i also already have a 70-200 f/4 L.

EF 500 f/4L IS USM would be the best I would get - if I could afford it.

That said, I opted for the EF 400 f/5.6L USM and have no regrets.

The 100-400L will give you more flexibility over the 400mm f/5.6, since you are looking for a single lens solution. You can combine your 70-200 f/4 IS with the 400mm prime, but that means either lens swaps or carrying two bodies. Lens swaps when shooting wildlife can cause issues, as the wildlife is not going to wait for you to change lenses.

I have the 70-200 f/4 IS, and still opted for the 100-400L over the 400mm prime. This allows me to take a single telephoto lens with me -- the 100-400L for wildlife excursions, and the lighter 70-200 when I do not need the added reach.

Scott M wrote in post #15486222
The 100-400L will give you more flexibility over the 400mm f/5.6, since you are looking for a single lens solution. You can combine your 70-200 f/4 IS with the 400mm prime, but that means either lens swaps or carrying two bodies. Lens swaps when shooting wildlife can cause issues, as the wildlife is not going to wait for you to change lenses.

I have the 70-200 f/4 IS, and still opted for the 100-400L over the 400mm prime. This allows me to take a single telephoto lens with me -- the 100-400L for wildlife excursions, and the lighter 70-200 when I do not need the added reach.

I'm not going to invest in another body for a while and carrying two lenses isn't a problem for me
My 70-200 f/4 is the non-IS version but i still shoot handheld with it. I don't like the look of the pump-zoom on the 100-400L, makes it seem cheap to me!

If the 200-400 1.4 x ext lens ever hits the shelves it will be the best one lens wildlife solution. The iq should be almost prime like, but with a whole lot of versatility. Problem is it will probably cost as much as the 600mm f/4L ii and be break your back heavy... 100-400 FTW in that case

The forum is your friend in this case... https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=43436

The 100-400 has IS over the prime, which is nice at 400mm! It is also *much* better between 100-300mm But as you say, you have the 70-200, so focal length wise it's not a massive issue. If you're happy to carry both around then great, but if not, the 100-400 is a lot more versatile - I wouldn't say it's cheap

The other thing to consider is a 1.4x TC... that will get you up to 280mm f5.6 for very few pennies (in comparison). It depends how long you really want to go...

You live in Europe: 500 f4 IS
You live in Europe but visit other countries and do not want to carry a real heavy bag: 300 2.8 IS, 1.4Tc and 2xTC.
You live in Florida: 70-300 L IS

chrismarriott66 wrote in post #15486425
The forum is your friend in this case... https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=43436

The 100-400 has IS over the prime, which is nice at 400mm! It is also *much* better between 100-300mm But as you say, you have the 70-200, so focal length wise it's not a massive issue. If you're happy to carry both around then great, but if not, the 100-400 is a lot more versatile - I wouldn't say it's cheap

The other thing to consider is a 1.4x TC... that will get you up to 280mm f5.6 for very few pennies (in comparison). It depends how long you really want to go...

Agreed the added IS would be much help! But i'm not a fan of that pump-zoom it has, plus i've heard it's sharp but not as sharp as the prime!

Do you mean a 1.4x TC on my 70-200 f/4L?

bboysmax wrote in post #15486443
Agreed the added IS would be much help! But i'm not a fan of that pump-zoom it has, plus i've heard it's sharp but not as sharp as the prime!

I'm one of those who had the 400mm 5.6 prime and eventually got the 100-400 because the zoom is almost as sharp and much more versatile. The "pump zoom" is actually pretty good for quickly zooming in for wildlife and sports. I found "zooming with your feet" with the prime difficult. But if you already have the 70-200 f/4 try using a teleconverter and see how you like it

bboysmax wrote in post #15486443
Do you mean a 1.4x TC on my 70-200 f/4L?

Yup

bboysmax wrote in post #15486443
Agreed the added IS would be much help! But i'm not a fan of that pump-zoom it has, plus i've heard it's sharp but not as sharp as the prime!

As already mentioned above, the 100-400L is almost as sharp as the prime. Have you actually tried the pump zoom, or are you just going by what some others have said? Personally, I have absolutely no issue with the zoom mechanism of the 100-400L, and the lens gets used quite often.

Scott M wrote in post #15486538
As already mentioned above, the 100-400L is almost as sharp as the prime. Have you actually tried the pump zoom, or are you just going by what some others have said? Personally, I have absolutely no issue with the zoom mechanism of the 100-400L, and the lens gets used quite often.

I just don't like the design of it, but i guess i can't slate it until I've actually tried it! Only thing is actually trying it, as my local camera specialist Jessops have closed all their shops, so no test for me!

The best would be the 500mm f4. If you can't afford it, then the 400mm 5.6.

If you are doing mainly birding, the 400mm 5.6 fixed is the way to go. If you are doing more than just small birds, the 100-400mm is an OUTSTANDING lens and I would hate using it over the 400mm fixed. I have been using the 100-400mm now for 2 years and its just so wonderful. The added IS is a really really nice feature compared to the 400mm fixed, you will have a lot more keepers when shooting around 1/100 or 1/250 second.

The other option is to get a 135mm f2.0 and pair it with a 1.4x or 2.0x extender, or get a 200mm f2.8 and use the extender. But I just love using the 100-400mm. Push Pull feels so much better than a ring, you can quickly and easily set your zoom without thinking about it too much.

If it going to be a single lens solution, I'd go zoom. 100-400L or Sigma 50-500 OS.