1.4 Extender or 300mm lens?

I'm looking to get more reach out of my setup. I currently have a 5D3 and 70-200mm 2.8 IS II as my tele. Should I get a 1.4 Extender III or a 300mm f4 IS lens? I know going with the 1.4 extender is the cheaper way and i'll be losing 1 stop same as the 300mm but image quality is my main concern. I shoot mostly motorsports.
What are your thoughts? Thanks

I have both the 1.4X and a 300 f2.8. I too wondered about the usefulness of the 300 f4 vs the 2.8 monster. I bet you will be happy with the 1.4X since you still have the capability to zoom in and get a good composition. The 300 can at times bet you too close and not leave enough margin in your shots. Save the $$$ and go the cheaper route and get the most out of the 70-200 you have coupled with the TC. I actually keep the 1.4X attached to my 70-200 all the time.

silvias13 wrote in post #15681699
I'm looking to get more reach out of my setup. I currently have a 5D3 and 70-200mm 2.8 IS II as my tele. Should I get a 1.4 Extender III or a 300mm f4 IS lens?

It looks like you kind of answered your own question:

silvias13 wrote in post #15681699
. . . image quality is my main concern.

Not only will the 300 f4 give you slightly better IQ, but you can add a 1.4x to get to 420 at f5.6.

Overall, you'll have much more versatility with having both lenses and the 1.4tc. And you may be surprised at how much you use the 300mm with the 1.4 on it.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #15681936
It looks like you kind of answered your own question:


Not only will the 300 f4 give you slightly better IQ, but you can add a 1.4x to get to 420 at f5.6.

Overall, you'll have much more versatility with having both lenses and the 1.4tc. And you may be surprised at how much you use the 300mm with the 1.4 on it.

Agreed if you have the budget get the 300, its designed to be a 300 after all...

EF300mm + 1.4x Canon TC. I love this combo. pp with LR4.

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Going with a 300mm or a 1.4x TC will give you more reach but the difference is not dramatic. If you shoot in good light, why not go for a 2x TC ?

When I owned the 70-200II I sold the 300f/4IS for the 1.4xtc III AND the 400 f/5.6 (along with a sturdy monopod ).

Personally, I liked my 70-200 II with the 1.4x II (never owned the III) better than my 300 f4 (non-IS). In fact, I can honestly say that the 70-200 II with tc was about as good as my 300 f/2.8 (non-IS). If I were in the market right now and on a budget, I'd keep the 70-200 II and pick up a 1.4x II and a 400 f/5.6.

I'd get the converter(s). Although one nice thing about the 300/4 is the close MFD.

Thanks a lot everyone for your input. I would love to be able to own both the 1.4 TC and the lens but I trying to choose one or the other. I was originally leaning towards getting the 300mm but I am now beginning to lean more towards getting the extender.

twoshadows wrote in post #15682515
When I owned the 70-200II I sold the 300f/4IS for the 1.4xtc III AND the 400 f/5.6 (along with a sturdy monopod ).

How do you like the 70-200 II with the 1.4 tc III?

I use the 1.4III on my 70-200 IS II all the time!!!

GoodEye906 wrote in post #15689468
I use the 1.4III on my 70-200 IS II all the time!!!

How is the focus? Do you feel any difference with the speed?

silvias13 wrote in post #15689510
How is the focus? Do you feel any difference with the speed?

It's slower if I use it with IS. But I use it when shooting sports, and my IS is always turned off during sports. It's no slower at all with IS off.

My 70-200II w/1.4xTC was roughly as good IQ-wise as my 300 f/4 IS. It was not quite as good as the 400/5.6 in terms of IQ or AF speed, though.