WIldlife/Birding lens dilemma

I have spent countless hours researching some lenses and I STILL can't make a decision. I currently own a 40d, upgrading to a 70d in June for my bday. I have a 70-200mm f4 and I also own the 1.4 extender type III already.

I want to buy either the 300mm f4 IS or the 400mm f5.6. Since I already own the extender I was thinking about the 300mm with the option of tossing on my 1.4 since I already have it. BUT the 400mm 5.6 looks to be great for birding and especially BIF. If I didn't already own the extender I would probably go with the 400mm and call it a day.

I just can't make a decision. Anyone care to help??

Many of us have debated this exact question in our minds many many times. There's really no clear cut answer other than the usual, "it depends." Since you've researched the issue a lot, I'm sure you already know the strengths of each lens. It's just a matter of choosing which will be best for you most of the time. They are both GREAT lenses for the price and will produce excellent results if used properly. I personally chose the 400 5.6 because I shoot mostly birds in flight, so the extra reach and somewhat better AF tracking were the deciding factors. Also, since I use a 1D body, I can add a 1.4x TC and get 560mm f/8 with AF, which works pretty darn well on a bright day. But, when shooting perched/wading birds (or other animals), that IS sure would be nice to have sometimes!

I agree with the post above. I had the 300 and mostly used it with a tc. So i ended up getting the 400 5.6 because i needed more reach and wanted faster AF. If you like the closer focus distance of the 300 for closer subjects you might find the 300 useful.

For BIF the 400 5.6 is the way to go between the two. Im hardly ever too close. I even taped the pins on my tc and used it on the 400 at times for more reach.

With the shutter speeds im usually using, especially for birds in flight I havent missed IS at all. The 300 has a very old IS system anyways.

Edit: I was in the same predicament about a year ago. I bought the 300, used it for a couple months and sold it for the 400. Dont regret that decision at all. Especially now that i have a 1D3 i can af with the 400 and tc quite well.

orion4211 wrote in post #16663232
I have spent countless hours researching some lenses and I STILL can't make a decision. I currently own a 40d, upgrading to a 70d in June for my bday. I have a 70-200mm f4 and I also own the 1.4 extender type III already.

I want to buy either the 300mm f4 IS or the 400mm f5.6. Since I already own the extender I was thinking about the 300mm with the option of tossing on my 1.4 since I already have it. BUT the 400mm 5.6 looks to be great for birding and especially BIF. If I didn't already own the extender I would probably go with the 400mm and call it a day.

I just can't make a decision. Anyone care to help??

Heya,

If you're just going to use the teleconverter, then don't get the 300mm. Get the 400mm right away, don't add anything to it, and be done. Sell the teleconverter maybe. When given the option to simply get more reach without teleconverters, or less reach with a teleconverter, I'd take the option without a teleconverter almost every time. The only time I'd start looking at a teleconverter for things like birds in flight, would be with serious F2.8 telephoto lenses that cost more than I'm willing to spend. Teleconverters are not completely benign.

400mm F5.6 and call it a day.

Very best,

sell the extender and buy the 400. for wildlife, reach is king. 420 is no advantage over 400 with the loss of focus speed and IQ with extender. The 400 is easily one of the best lenses Canon makes (and that is coming from someone who has owned 300, 400, 500, 600, and 800mm lenses from Canon).

I had a 300 4.0 that I bought with an extender because I figured the IS would be nice to have. Frankly, it wasn't really that sharp wide open (particularly with the extender) and didn't get really sharp until about f8. Given the choice btw the 300 4.0 and the 400 5.6 I'd probably do the 400 5.6 now.

Having said that, I'd really likely just get the Tamron 150-600 6.3 instead of both of those. I'm not really interested in BIF though. Your needs may vary.

I gotta wonder how many existing threads are on this very subject. General rule: do not buy any lens that you plan on only using it with a TC.

If the 400 f/5.6L had IS it'd be a non-brainer. It doesn't...get the 300mm...

But, if you buy the 400mm f/5.6L, within a month, Canon would announce they're adding IS to the 400mm...Then, I could buy the new 400mm f/5.6L IS.

So, I think you should get the 400mm...

orion4211 wrote in post #16663232
I have spent countless hours researching some lenses and I STILL can't make a decision. I currently own a 40d, upgrading to a 70d in June for my bday. I have a 70-200mm f4 and I also own the 1.4 extender type III already.

I want to buy either the 300mm f4 IS or the 400mm f5.6. Since I already own the extender I was thinking about the 300mm with the option of tossing on my 1.4 since I already have it. BUT the 400mm 5.6 looks to be great for birding and especially BIF. If I didn't already own the extender I would probably go with the 400mm and call it a day.

I just can't make a decision. Anyone care to help??

I agree with the rest, 400mm prime is a good choice for birds

Do you want a wildlife lens or a birding lens? You mention birds in the post but wildlife only in the title. A 400mm prime is great for birds but not much use for an elephant wandering next to your safari van unless you want to examine its eye in great detail.

456 for birding

100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS

Key reasons I have the 300/4 IS and EF 1.4X II to use with it are....

1. Shooting handheld... I want IS.
2. Two focal lengths to work with: 300/4 w/o the TC an 420/5.6 with it.
3. Close focusing ability of the lens.

I cannot tell any difference in speed of focus or tracking performance (I'm mostly using on 7D, but sometimes on 5DII, too).

Mostly shooting sports, but also some wildlife.

My 300/4 + 1.4X is plenty sharp, even wide open (rivals the 300/2.8 IS I use when I can set up a tripod).

On 5DII, with 1.4X...

For a general critters lens, Tamron 150-600 VC and a gym membership or monopod

Perhaps look into a used Sigma 150-500mm lens?
While it is inexpensive, this will allow you to test each 100-200-300-400-500mm length on a static subject and see what you like.
You may also be able to try an aftermarket 1.4x or 2.0x converter as well.