Help choose betw: 300mm 4.L IS & 70-200mm2.8L IS to complement the 400mm 5.6L

Help choose betw: 300mm 4.L IS & 70-200mm 2.8L IS to complement the 400mm 5.6L & Canon TC's...

Need the 400mm for birds, while would like to get the 300mm or the 70-200mm for wildlife pictures of whitetail deer, wild turkeys and potential black bear...field sports would eventually play into the equation...the longest quality lens I have now is the 28-135mm IS...any/and all feedback will be greatly appreciated...

7-2IS

Light Rules wrote in post #2131904
7-2IS

I'm partial to this lens as well...the F2.8 would be great for lower light shots...while the 300mm is still at F4.0...the $300-$400 difference is probably not going to be an issue...
I like the length though of the 300mm...

Since you already have a 400L and TC 1.4x, the 70-200L seems a better option. I have both lens; 70-200mm f/2.8L and the 300mm f/4L IS and each of them has its quality. The 70-200 is razor-sharp and contrast are so high that original images seems to have been PP! The 300L produces softer images compare to the 70-200L. Often, I prefer the images of the 300L because of that. For portrait (exterior) and macro, the 300L works better for me.

IMO, you're better off with the 70-200mm and the 400mm, skipping over the 300mm. If you needed to, you could always toss the 1.4x on the 70-200mm for 280mm f/4.

Thanks Zwiz and Double Negative...

I really appreciate your encouraging feedback...I hear so much about the 70-200 2.8L IS in the Performing Arts Forum section, and although I can't use it at my local venue, I'd love to have it for possibly other venues...

The 300mm's, IS is so tempting...however the IS on the 70-200 2.8L would cover my desire for the extra stability, and the F2.8 is gotta be the closer, for this lens...

The 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens is about as good as it gets. With either TC you still have a great lens, have IS and still be weathersealed. Not much to complain about.

Out of all my lenses, it is bar none my favorite. Not necessarily my most-used, but my favorite.

Double Negative wrote in post #2132257
The 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens is about as good as it gets. With either TC you still have a great lens, have IS and still be weathersealed. Not much to complain about.

Out of all my lenses, it is bar none my favorite. Not necessarily my most-used, but my favorite.

It's good to know...speaking form experience and some lens inventory, that's gotta be a good compliment for the lens...

I'm dealing with two vendors...I have credit due at each...the first one to get it in stock, will get the deal...

Well I have the 300 mm f/4 L IS and it´s wonderful, but I don´t have the 400 mm. In stead I have the 70-200 f/4 L. Mainly bacause for the moment I don´t need to go further than I go with the focal lenght and my 350D (1,6 crop) and also I did have the desire to have my first IS lens !! But I was also very tempted to buy this lens, the 400 f/5.6, but the lack of IS and the fact to be f/5,6 did change my mind also, although I know that everybody speaks very well about it, specially for birthing.

So I think like others said, if in your aim is the 400 mm, you are better covered with the 70-200. Also a x1,4 TC can help you to cover the focal distance in between. And the 70-200 f/2.8 IS it´s a good piece of glass to work with the TC !!

Thanks Juan...
Positive feedback is always appreciated, especially from a lens owner's first hand experience...

I figure the sunny climate of Spain is great for the lenses you have...I'm in cloudy and sometimes sunny Pennsylvania...

Juan Zas wrote in post #2132421
...although I know that everybody speaks very well about it, specially for birthing.

I think 400mm is way, way too long for that...

another vote for the 70-200.

Double Negative wrote in post #2132532
I think 400mm is way, way too long for that...

Double Negative, you're way too much...ha

70-200, the 300 is too close.

Billginthekeys wrote in post #2132544
another vote for the 70-200.

Your vote really helps me a lot...

These are big money decisions and all opinions are very helpfull...