Lens Question

Unfortunately few camera stores have this sort of gear in stock for you (or me) to try out!

If you lived near South Wales I would say give me a ring and you can have a play to see what you think. Having said that if you frequent local birding/wildlife spots then others may be willing to help? Most are pretty good in my neck of the woods. Some photographers are overly precious about their gear - others are happy to share, I am in the latter camp.

The performance of the 300 F2.8L IS with the 2 x extender is very good - but it does need decent light to give it's best.

Incidentally don't go "Green" with envy. My income is so low that I don't even pay Income Tax! A little careful budgeting and it is quite surprising what toys one can afford

If you still need the reach, and have limited funds I would suggest seriously looking at one of the Sigma 150-600s. I tried the original Tamron out by renting it, and was very disappointed with it. Having rented, and not really read the user manual I supposed the lens had the auto detect feature on the VC that switched it to panning mode automatically, like the shorter lenses have. That was not the case, and most of the shots were ruined by VC feedback. Tamron did at least manage to install a VC auto disable when it detected movement, but trying to shoot aviation subjects at shutter speeds less than 1/200 I find the need for optical stabilisation.

So for me the Tamron was out and I got the Sigma C version. It was pretty clear to me after shooting my first airshow with the lens that the Sigma was much better at 600mm than the Tamron, and compared to the multiple 100-400 V1's that I rented it was better at 600mm than the Canon at 400mm. In my view, being able to compare the results across the three main contenders that were available at under £1200 thanks to having used all of them at airshows I would rate them 1, Sigma 150-600C, 2, Canon 100-400 V1, 3, Tamron 150-600 G1. I have health problems that make the Sigma C about as heavy as I can manage, so I didn't seriously look at the Sigma Sport, even if it had been in budget.

Alan

johnf3f wrote in post #18479485
Unfortunately few camera stores have this sort of gear in stock for you (or me) to try out!

If you lived near South Wales I would say give me a ring and you can have a play to see what you think. Having said that if you frequent local birding/wildlife spots then others may be willing to help? Most are pretty good in my neck of the woods. Some photographers are overly precious about their gear - others are happy to share, I am in the latter camp.

The performance of the 300 F2.8L IS with the 2 x extender is very good - but it does need decent light to give it's best.

Incidentally don't go "Green" with envy. My income is so low that I don't even pay Income Tax! A little careful budgeting and it is quite surprising what toys one can afford

More information than I needed. The envy part was referring to the fact that you have/had/used pretty much every one of the top tier big whites. To me that is impressive.

In other news kawi_200 in Washington, USA has offered to let me check out his gear and you, in Wales has done the same. I'm in Labrador, so pretty much in the middle of you two and a long drive no matter which way you slice the pie.

Thanks guys for the offer just the same.

Trivia time: I googled Wales and googled Labrador. Ignoring a lot of things I found that
average population density of Wales is 147 people per square kilometre
Average population density of Labrador is 1 person every 11 square kilometres.
This tells me I'm probably not going to bump into someone with a big white (lens, not bear)
</being silly>

Rod

RodS57 wrote in post #18480015
More information than I needed. The envy part was referring to the fact that you have/had/used pretty much every one of the top tier big whites. To me that is impressive.

In other news kawi_200 in Washington, USA has offered to let me check out his gear and you, in Wales has done the same. I'm in Labrador, so pretty much in the middle of you two and a long drive no matter which way you slice the pie.

Thanks guys for the offer just the same.

Trivia time: I googled Wales and googled Labrador. Ignoring a lot of things I found that
average population density of Wales is 147 people per square kilometre
Average population density of Labrador is 1 person every 11 square kilometres.
This tells me I'm probably not going to bump into someone with a big white (lens, not bear)
</being silly>

Rod

The reason that I have tried so much Canon and Nikon gear (as well as some other brands) is that I am more than happy to let others try my gear. What goes out comes back - mostly.
It is a shame that you are unlikely to get the opportunity to try out lenses before you decide what to buy. I am afraid that whilst my car is very economical the Atlantic Ocean is a big ask, so I don't think I could call round for a cuppa and a chat.

However if you want to bounce any ideas/thoughts off me then feel free to send a PM. I am not an expert - but I am open minded and have used a lot of different gear. Perhaps I can help? If not nothing ventured.

Thanks for the offer. Will keep it in

Rod

RodS57 wrote in post #18480659
Thanks for the offer. Will keep it in

Rod

You could join Canon Professional Services. They allow you to try out all sorts of gear for a week just for the cost of shipping, not to mention all the other perks you get.

Pigpen101 wrote in post #18480891
You could join Canon Professional Services. They allow you to try out all sorts of gear for a week just for the cost of shipping, not to mention all the other perks you get.

I checked that out a couple of years ago. If I remember correctly there are hardware requirements. I came up short with one body and one lens on the qualifying gear list. Maybe something has changed.

Rod

RodS57 wrote in post #18481499
I checked that out a couple of years ago. If I remember correctly there are hardware requirements. I came up short with one body and one lens on the qualifying gear list. Maybe something has changed.

Rod

Maybe. It can't hurt to go and try again. Getting a new lens might put you over the top?? Then you can use your membership to play with the lenses you haven't bought yet.

You mention option 2 being $5k more than option 3, so I assume you are looking at the Mark II versions of the 300 and 500? If so, and if purchasing the 300mm II is actually a somewhat realistic proposition, then I think what you should really be looking for is a used 500mm f4 IS (v1). That would give you a clear upgrade over what you have, and is priced significantly under the 300mm II.

Also, if the lenses were over priced people wouldn't buy them, plain and simple. That said, if you want to design, build, and market a lens equal to or better than my 600mm f4 IS II and are still willing to come back here and sell it to me for only $5-6k I'll be happy to line up as your first customer.

RodS57 wrote in post #18481499
I checked that out a couple of years ago. If I remember correctly there are hardware requirements. I came up short with one body and one lens on the qualifying gear list. Maybe something has changed.

Rod

The lowest level that offers equipment loan is "gold" and that runs you $100 annually plus you have to have 20 equipment points. Something like a 5DIV body gets you 7 points. Put a EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM on it and you get 8 more points.

You can find the info at http://www.cps.usa.can​on.com/about_cps/about​.shtml.

Which versions of the 500 and 300 are you considering?

Seeing as something like the 300 2.8 has several generations available and a 300 2.8 non IS can be had for reasonable money it may be a good option for you. Keep in mind you will want the 1.4 tc as well.

I have some big heavy white canon glass and while they are great lenses they have a serious disadvantage, that being weight.

If your able to get close enough to what your shooting that the 100-400 II will be suitable with the 7d2 then I'd highly recommend the 100-400 II.
I bought my 200-400 before the 100-400 II was available and while the 2-4 is still IMO a better lens the 100-400 II is 90% of the quality at a much lower price point.

Aus.Morgo wrote in post #18482908
Which versions of the 500 and 300 are you considering?

Seeing as something like the 300 2.8 has several generations available and a 300 2.8 non IS can be had for reasonable money it may be a good option for you. Keep in mind you will want the 1.4 tc as well.

I have some big heavy white canon glass and while they are great lenses they have a serious disadvantage, that being weight.

If your able to get close enough to what your shooting that the 100-400 II will be suitable with the 7d2 then I'd highly recommend the 100-400 II.
I bought my 200-400 before the 100-400 II was available and while the 2-4 is still IMO a better lens the 100-400 II is 90% of the quality at a much lower price point.

Where to start?
Due to my location my best option is retail so version is always what's available which is usually the newest.

Your 200-400 vs the 100-400 vs price. Is it worth the price difference was part of my original post in reference to 300 F2.8 and the 100-400. I am sort of flying blind here, I can't see, touch or try any of this gear, hence this thread.

I'll try to explain from a different angle: I had looked at the 400 F5.6L, from info I've found it was released in 1993 at 1349 USD; today it goes for 1149 USD ... not paying that for a 25 year old design.

As of Thursday the price of the 100-400 v2 is about 150 USD below release price. So that one just jumped to the top of the list. It also helps to decide when you consider that the price of the 300 F2.8 just climbed by $1k CAD so it's off the table.

Will continue to window shop.

Rod

The 200-400mm is an awesome lens, albeit unaffordable for 98% of us!!! I scanned the thread quickly and didn't see what your subject(s) are. The 200-400 can be used @ night (football, for example), but you must have a camera that can handle high ISO. My 7D cannot. I cover a lot of golf, so hopefully my next lens this winter will be the 100-400mm M II.

Slightly off topic, but we are talking about TCs here. At last Sunday's game, some photogs were talking about the hassle of taking their TC on/off all the time. That's when it hit me: Why isn't Canon selling a TC such as the one on the 200-400mm?? How nice would that be, just flicking the switch??

I've shot along side a couple men with 200-400 f/4 w/1.4x lenses.... both of them had huge arms... the thickness of my thighs. And naturally enough, both were hand holding the lens. I asked them how they liked it and both said they loved the flexibility and its other attributes. I can tell you, if I could afford one, I'd have to shot from a monopod at the very least.

Anyway, the 100-400L ii has been rated at 90% =/- of the 200-400 by people who have both. It's a way from some of us to get great quality at a semi affordable price. There is always the Sigma 150-600 C or the Tamron 150-600 G2... both have fans here on POTN.

Due to recent price changes I'm gonna narrow the lens options to just the 100-400 + TC. Not the 200-400 but close. per recent posts anyway. so that give me the 70-300L and the 100-400, at least if I make the jump. Now if I had a dollar for everyone here with the 100-400 that sold the 70-300. LOL

Rod