100-400mm f4.5-5.6L or 400mm 5.6?

Well, I have just done the opposite and I too procrastinated for over a month. I ended up purchasing the 300F4 and the 400F5.6. This is only based on what I have read from reviews and at different forums:-

1. Primes are sharper than zooms
2. On most ocassions we tend to shoot at maximum focal length
3. I also read the 400mm prime focuses alot faster as well (thus less chances of missing critical shots)

So my decision was based on above reasons. If I needed 300mm I will use 300mm prime and if I needed 400mm I will use 400mm prime. Generally when using telephoto lens, it is nearly always never long enough so why have a 100-400 lens when we will be generally shooting at 400 anyway. I know the zooms are much more practical and judging by some of the pics on this forum I sometimes wonder I made the right decision.

I only ordered my lenses on monday so I can tell you how the they are.

Welcome, Perry!

Don't worry, you made the right decision...

Thanks Rudi,

Glad you think so. BTW you are popping up everywhere

No mate, it's YOU who's popping up everywhere... *I* am too dignified to "pop"...

pcho: Yes, primes are shown to be sharper than zooms. That's a gimme. But, are they really THAT much sharper? I'm sure there's a side-by-side somewhere. Does become a beta vs. VHS argument?

But, that still will not change my mind. I love my 100-400L and am completely satisfied with the results. It's the perfect lens for my situation.

And, I definitiely do not shoot most of the time at 400. A lot of the times yes, but not all. I think my boat shots were almost all at 400 however . That was my first outing with the lens and then I was at 400 much less for the ChampCars.

The thing is when I need less than 400? Just a slight pull on the lens and I was there. I don't have the slightest desire to haul around a prime 400 and 300 and when what if you need something less than that? Another lens? Yikes, that's both alot of money and alot of lenses to haul around.

And I have NO complaints on the speed of the focusing. I ran the entire weekend(s) at AI Servo and did not miss one shot. I had absolutely no focusing issues whatsoever shooting both the fast cars and boats.

Those primes will be sweet and I'm sure you'll get some fantastic, hang-on-your-wall shots out of them. Under different circumstances I would go the same route as you did, but personally I think the 100-400 is one of THE best lens values out there right now.

Hi RFMSports

Yes I don't disagree with everthing you said. My heart was really torn between primes and the flexibility of zooms. I have the 24-70 and 70-200 IS so I do know the quailty of zooms as well. The difference is I guess marginal. I just develop what you called L prime sickness.

Well I might still end up getting the 100-400 if I find the primes too inflexible. I did take advice from a chap at freds forum (frances from hawaii) and he indicated the views I listed in the earlier post.

Most importantly we are all having fun, whatever the lens we pick

pcho,

Aaah HAA!

You have stumbled across the BEST solution!

Get both and have the best of both worlds.....

//....... oh lord,.. more gear to carry

CyberDyneSystems wrote:
pcho,

Aaah HAA!

You have stumbled across the BEST solution!

Get both and have the best of both worlds.....

//....... oh lord,.. more gear to carry

Hi CyberDyneSystems,

You have hit the nail on the head. Thats basically what I did. I know I am overlapping but I tend to be a perfectionist and close enough is not good enough for me. As Frances said on his emails to me and on Fred’s forums the 400 F5.6 is optically sharper and more importantly focuses much faster than 300F4 + 1.4x extender. So I decided I buy both. If I needed 300mm focal length I will use the 300mm F4 and if I needed 400mm focal length I will use 400mm F5.6 lens. If I want to shoot in low light and needed IS then I always have the 300mm F4 IS. So I thought that’s was a good decision. I also have the 1.4x extender as well, so if I want to carry light I can use the 300mm + 1.4x extender and if I want zoom, I will use the 70-200 f2.8 IS + 1.4 extender (even though it only becomes 280mm but still very sharp).


I live in a country town and I am not far from home, plus basically I generally know what I want to shoot anyway and true I might miss some of the closer shots but who cares as long as we are all having fun. I also found that with primes, even if the subject is too close and if I take a 1/2 or 3/4 body shot they tend to have their own beauty. Basically what I am trying to say is everything doen't have to fit the frame to be a good shot.

So weight is not that much of a problem. I have 2 sons to carry for me too

Well, with the other lenses you have, you have about everything covered. I do want to get more L glass (addicted yes!), but I'm pretty happy with what I got right now and it works well with what I am shooting. I am definitely not through buying glass (peeks over shoulder, looking for wife) and I'll probably get that super fast 70-200 2.8 and then something super wide.

Having fun? You bet! I'm looking forward to seeing some of your pics with that new 300/400 prime combo you have coming. WOW! Very cool!

Hi Jim,

I am having same problem. Most of my deliveries are sent to my office . I only just recently purhcase the 85 F1.2 L and the 135 F2 L so I got to be careful too. Luckily I always had one black lens and one white lens, so all my lens look the same to me wife

Thats it. I am not buying anymore.

I will post some pics when I get lens.

...Yeah, right!...

Rudi Haha - you stay out of this one

I don't have any L lenses yet, sigh, but it doesn't stop me from researching. Don't slam me too hard but I haven't seen anyone mention Sigma's 50-500 EX lens as a viable option. I've read a lot of reports and talked to a few that have it and they like it as well if not better than the 100-400L

Don't shoot, I'm just curious so I can narrow down my choices.

Haha,.. I'm not sure the Sigma 50-500mm belongs in THIS thread with THIS crowd!

I own that lens and LOVE it

It is by far the most economical and flexible way to get into the 500mm neighborhood. You can even use it manual focus with a 1.4 extender. (don't bother trying it with the 2X though,.. it works bad)

But the big boys here are oozing cash on "L" Primes!!!!

I can only dream

I haven't actually used the Canon 100-400mm IS,.. but I tell you what. The day I can afford a 500mm Prime,.. ANY 500mm prime,. I will sell the 50-500mm and get the 100-400 IS instead It isn't really any brighter. (they are both f/5.6 at 400mm) but with the IS and Canon glass the 100-400 surely performs better.

If you ar looking to jump into the long lens game early and not put out too much money but still have a decent lens. Go for that Sigma. Even If I can replace it someday,. I won't regret having owned it. Besides a 500mm Prime will set me back at least $3500.00 So it will be a looooong time before I part with the 50-500mm. Like YEARS!

CyberDyneSystems wrote:
I haven't actually used the Canon 100-400mm IS,.. but I tell you what. The day I can afford a 500mm Prime,.. ANY 500mm prime,. I will sell the 50-500mm and get the 100-400 IS instead It isn't really any brighter. (they are both f/5.6 at 400mm) but with the IS and Canon glass the 100-400 surely performs better.

CyberDyneSystems,

I believe that the Sigma is f/6.3 at the long end. It "lies" to the camera to still get AF, but is in reality slower.