Can't afford an L 400mm f2.8, so whats left....

OK, I need a 400mm for doing sports, (motorbikes mainly) and surfing occasionly..... (will use it for wildlife now and then) and I can't afford a 400mm f2.8 L, which is my ideal lens. (I am just an spameture)

Picture quaility is the highest priority, with speed of lens coming in equal second with flexibility.

I have been trawling the threads and other parts of the net and I see there are other options 400mm f5.6 L , 100-400mm f4-5.6 L, 300mm f4 L, Sigma 175-500mm, sigma 135-400, sigma 80-400..... although I have tried a 300mm and it wasn't quite long enough for Bikes due to the best shots being on the corners and the distance you have to be to get the right angle...... also not sure if the 5.6 will be fast enough for darker days....

do any of you have comparison pictures of any of these? ideally against the 400mm f2.8 so I can see how close pic quality is...... (I love seeing pictures )

I have looked on Pbase and it is very difficult to do comparisons although non of the sigma options seemed to have the pop of the 400mm f2.8.....

I would love to do it for a living one day so my choice is being swayed by this.....

what do you reckon?

cheers

PS I can't really go past £1000

PPS I notice a few of you guys get the 400m f2.8 as presents (:p ) so feel free to give me your hand me downs.......

My ne wplan to replace the idea of getting a 70-200 2.8 IS and a 100-400L
is I am going to get the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 plus a 1.4x teleconverter.
That will give you a 420mm f4 faster then the 100-400L at 400mm focus might be a tad slower but all the things said about this lens the TC doesnt really effect much
that lens is $2079 at sigma4less.com

cheers 05Xrunner, but does the 1.4x take away from the quality of the picture? everything I have read says that yeah it is only marginal but does affect it.......

could do with some piccies for compariosn really, but not many post images with 1.4x to compare....

From what others say about this lens it doesnt effect it..people have told me even the 2x doesnt effect it all that bad
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=150405

There is always the 300f/2.8 IS plus Tcon. This is said to be Canon's best lens and the TC's affect on the quality of images is very marginal, if any.

See some shots here: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=141298

A review here: http://www.the-digital-picture.com …L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

It will set you back around $4000.

chuckle thanks in2Photo's... but I am afraid I don't have $4000 thats part of the problem....

I would agree... The 300 is a great lens and even with the 1.4x it's still a great lens. It offers a nice f/4.0 with IS at 420mm. The comparable DO lens is crazy expensive (more so than the f/2.8 ).

The f/5.6 would probably be fine in the surf but maybe not so much with the bikes. There's also the DoF to consider. No IS and quite light for easy handholding though - not to mention quite a bit cheaper.

well with your budget seems the 120-300 with 1.4x will be your best bet and fastest to get the 400mm mark..plus its a zoom

homera1 wrote:
chuckle thanks in2Photo's... but I am afraid I don't have $4000 thats part of the problem....

Sorry I missed your 1000 pounds price tag. I just thought you didn't have the $7000 for the 400. I am all too familiar with a budget, check the link in my sig for my measly gear.

I agree. It gives you speed and flexibility for motorsports, but with a TC gives you the reach for surfing.
Also consider the Sigma 100-300 f/4.

If you really want a 400mm, I'd say go for the 400mm f/5.6L. Everyone swears by this lens and its alot closer to your price range. There's always the sigma 50-500mm. Its heavy but IQ is excellent (from the posts I've seen anyway), and for price it comes in at $999.00. You can get it cheaper sometimes but you can get it at that price everyday.

You'll have to give up the idea of f/2.8 or even f/4 at your price point. If you can stretch just a little, the 300mm f/4L with 1.4x Tcon is supposed to be excellent.

Why not the 300 f4 IS with the tc1.4?Excellent combination within your budget.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=215026

This one looks like it's still available and it's about half your price allowance...though you'd have to take into account custom fees

Another vote for the EF 400 f5.6L - granted its not a zoom, but it is light, sharp, and fast-focusing.

Have Fun,

He already said though 300mm isnt far enough and 5.6 is to slow..So that would rule out the 300 f4 and 400 5.6 primes
So far I think your best bet is that sigma 120-300 + 1.4x TC