Lens Question

RodS57 wrote in post #18483296
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

I started with the 70-300L and a 15-85 with a 60D for a camera body. I still have the 70-300L. I know I should sell it.. but it's only worth half what I paid for it and I got some great photos with it. I'm still trying to get my wife to try it this coming Spring when we go out to the bird rookeries here in Florida. It is much better than her 55-250 STM, though it sure weighs a lot more.

If she doesn't end up using it, I'll "loan" it to our youngest son........... again.

Phoenixkh wrote in post #18483305
I started with the 70-300L and a 15-85 with a 60D for a camera body. I still have the 70-300L. I know I should sell it.. but it's only worth half of what I paid for it and I got some great photos with it. I'm still trying to get my wife to try it this coming Spring when we go out to the bird rookeries here in Florida. It is much better than her 55-250 STM, though it sure weighs a lot more.

If she doesn't end up using it, I'll "loan" it to our youngest son........... again.

I haven't been able to get either of my two daughters interested in photography. They have both had cameras but can't move away from the ever present phone camera. Glad your boy is interested in a real camera. He will understand 40 years from now.

Rod

RodS57 wrote in post #18480015
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.

I will gladly let you use my gear for a couple of days, if you're able to drive down to --- sometime over the course of the next month.

I have a Canon 400 f2.8 IS and a Sigma 300-800 f5.6 (the latest "DG" version). . I also have a Canon 100-400mm version 2 that you're welcome to use with and without a 1.4 extender. . Heck, I'll even put you up for a couple of days, as my lodging is more spacious than I need.

I'd love to learn more about Labrador and the wildlife opportunities that you have up there.

.

RodS57 wrote in post #18483033
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

Well, if your not able to buy second hand and the new version 300 and 500 are out of budget your really only left with the one option.

The 100-400 II is a great lens. I just had mine out at an airshow today. I could have taken the 200-400, or 600 or 300 but the 100-400 II was just so much easier today.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #18483599
I will gladly let you use my gear for a couple of days, if you're able to drive down to North Dakota or Colorado sometime over the course of the next month.

I have a Canon 400 f2.8 IS and a Sigma 300-800 f5.6 (the latest "DG" version). . I also have a Canon 100-400mm version 2 that you're welcome to use with and without a 1.4 extender. . Heck, I'll even put you up for a couple of days, as my lodging is more spacious than I need.

I'd love to learn more about Labrador and the wildlife opportunities that you have up there.

.

Not a trip I can make but thanks for the offer. Sounds fantastic.

Labrador: hard to explain. Hundreds of miles of nothing in all directions. Only one road and my range is usually only a mile or two on either side of that road. There are times I imagine I am the first person to stand in a particular spot.

Rod

RodS57 wrote in post #18484262
Labrador: hard to explain. Hundreds of miles of nothing in all directions. Only one road and my range is usually only a mile or two on either side of that road. There are times I imagine I am the first person to stand in a particular spot.

Rod

Hey, Rod

I always think of Caribou and Brook Trout when I think of Labrador.........and of course the now-extinct Labrador Duck. Do you have decent opportunities to photograph Caribou within a few hours of your location? How about Black Bear?

And I'd love to know what opportunities Labrador has to offer with respect to the smaller mammals, such as Hares and Lemmings.

And game birds - particularly Ptarmigan and Spruce Grouse - any populations of these species within a few hours of you?

.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #18484288
Hey, Rod

I always think of Caribou and Brook Trout when I think of Labrador.........and of course the now-extinct Labrador Duck. Do you have decent opportunities to photograph Caribou within a few hours of your location? How about Black Bear?

And I'd love to know what opportunities Labrador has to offer with respect to the smaller mammals, such as Hares and Lemmings.

And game birds - particularly Ptarmigan and Spruce Grouse - any populations of these species within a few hours of you?

.

To address your inquiries by the species you mention

Caribou - I have seen caribou within 5 miles of my house but not recently. In the past 25 years the George river herd has gone from an estimated 800,000 animals to 25,000 animals so sightings are rare. Also, migration route is about 100 miles away.

Trout - fly fishing is my prime summer pastime. Quality is probably very dependent on what you are used to and your expectations.

Bears - yes, not unusual to see them in town

The other animals and birds you mention - everywhere I'm not usually

Rod

RodS57 wrote in post #18484644
Caribou - I have seen caribou within 5 miles of my house but not recently. In the past 25 years the George river herd has gone from an estimated 800,000 animals to 25,000 animals so sightings are rare. Also, migration route is about 100 miles away.

Thanks for your thoughtful answers, Rod - that's appreciated.

It must be awesome to have a Caribou migration route just 100 miles from home! . Do you get over along the route to shoot the migrating caribou annually? . If so, I'm sure you have many stories to tell!

.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #18484962
Thanks for your thoughtful answers, Rod - that's appreciated.

It must be awesome to have a Caribou migration route just 100 miles from home! . Do you get over along the route to shoot the migrating caribou annually? . If so, I'm sure you have many stories to tell!

.

The migration route actually crosses our one highway. It always attracted a large number of hunters and to be honest it never occurred to me to drive that distance for a look-see. My few encounters where always enjoyable but I never had a camera with me so no pictures.

Rod

To more or less end this story: my 100-400 + TC arrived yesterday evening. Gives me the weekend to try it out. First observation - no zoom lock. When I tried to mount it to the camera I found almost the entire external surface moves. How do I grip it to turn it?

I did get it mounted and took a couple of shots of objects with lights in the dark. Focus is quiet, it sounds like my 70-300L when IS starts, a little squeak noise.

Today, Saturday, -20C and mostly sunny with some light flurries so definitely bright enough with everything covered in snow.

Of my original list of options

500 F4 remains out of reach

300 F2.8 + TC - price went up and out of reach

100-400 + TC - price dropped well into my comfort zone.

Thanks for everyone's input.

Rod

RodS57 wrote in post #18513973
To more or less end this story: my 100-400 + TC arrived yesterday evening. Gives me the weekend to try it out. First observation - no zoom lock. When I tried to mount it to the camera I found almost the entire external surface moves. How do I grip it to turn it?

I did get it mounted and took a couple of shots of objects with lights in the dark. Focus is quiet, it sounds like my 70-300L when IS starts, a little squeak noise.

Today, Saturday, -20C and mostly sunny with some light flurries so definitely bright enough with everything covered in snow.

Of my original list of options

500 F4 remains out of reach

300 F2.8 + TC - price went up and out of reach

100-400 + TC - price dropped well into my comfort zone.

Thanks for everyone's input.

Rod

The tension ring, just behind the focus ring is your friend there. It takes a little bit of practice, but you get used to using a sort of pinching motion to use your index finger to hold the focus ring and thumb to counter-rotate the tension ring. You'll also want to initially set the ring so that it's not so loose as to let the barrel slide by its own weight, but also not so tight that you feel heavy drag on it when you use your hand to zoom it; it's a bit of a balancing act but once you get used to it it's pretty smooth.

RodS57 wrote in post #18513973
First observation - no zoom lock.

As Eric said, there actually is a zoom lock. . Have you discovered it yet?

.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #18522232
As Eric said, there actually is a zoom lock. . Have you discovered it yet?

.

Oh yeah, the rotating tension collar. That has been adjusted to keep the lens from extending due to gravity. Bad time of year to buy a new lens, at least for me but didn't want to pass on the price. Underwhelmed so far. In the overlapping focal length range my tamron is as good but at 560mm (with 1.4 TC) the Canon is much better than the tamron but still not sharp. Doesn't hold a candle to my 70-300L. Not going outside for MFA tests at -20C so have to live with it until it warms up or return it.

No formal testing done yet.

Common ground here: me, maybe buggy 7D2. Got to try it on my T3i for comparison, weather permitting.

Rod

RodS57 wrote in post #18522965
Oh yeah, the rotating tension collar. That has been adjusted to keep the lens from extending due to gravity. Bad time of year to buy a new lens, at least for me but didn't want to pass on the price. Underwhelmed so far. In the overlapping focal length range my tamron is as good but at 560mm (with 1.4 TC) the Canon is much better than the tamron but still not sharp. Doesn't hold a candle to my 70-300L. Not going outside for MFA tests at -20C so have to live with it until it warms up or return it.

No formal testing done yet.

Common ground here: me, maybe buggy 7D2. Got to try it on my T3i for comparison, weather permitting.

Rod

Rod, I've been reading your posts for a long time now..... sorry your 7D2 is still causing you pain.

I'm not really satisfied with the 1.4X on my 100-400ii either. I get decent shots.... but not spectacular. The bare lens produces photographs that make me smile, over and over again. I hope you got a good one.

RodS57 wrote in post #18522965
Oh yeah, the rotating tension collar. That has been adjusted to keep the lens from extending due to gravity. Bad time of year to buy a new lens, at least for me but didn't want to pass on the price. Underwhelmed so far. In the overlapping focal length range my tamron is as good but at 560mm (with 1.4 TC) the Canon is much better than the tamron but still not sharp. Doesn't hold a candle to my 70-300L. Not going outside for MFA tests at -20C so have to live with it until it warms up or return it.

No formal testing done yet.

Common ground here: me, maybe buggy 7D2. Got to try it on my T3i for comparison, weather permitting.

Rod

Probably not buggy; but, definitely need to MFA the lens to the body and the lens+TC to the body before you're going to get the best results. But, damn...-20