help me pick my new L lens purchase out of these two

I have the 100-400L and it is a fantastic lens. I will be picking up the 70-200L IS F2.8 as my next lens (still saving up for it)

The 100-400 covers most of the range that the 70-200 covers and has longer reach. The 70-200 is faster and that may be of greater importance to you.

I suspect you'd be happy with either lens.

The 100-400 is slightly cheaper than the 70-200 in 2.8 (which may or may not be factor in your decision process.)

Almost as quickly as I unpacked and mounted my 70-200 f/4, I wanted more reach. It is an outstanding lens with awesome contrast and sharpness, but when shooting soccer, you'll sometimes find it short. Unless you shoot indoor soccer, the f/4 version will be fine.

The trade-off in getting the 100-400 is weight and size. In comparison to the 70-200, it is CONSIDERABLE! The upshot though is the IS and double the reach. I just received my 100-400 and am impressed!

I've shot thousands of shots of kids soccer. Until my kids got to U12, I was way ok on a crop camera with a 70-200 f/4L. This lens is terrific, it is light weight and it will do great.

You don't really ever need to reach ALL the way across the field from corner to corner - those shots are rarely that good anyhow. Spends some time down near each goal line to get what you want. I find that when I'm shooting, I'm basically shooting in a third of the field anyhow. Rarely do I find a perfect, clear shot all the way down the field. There usually are other players in the way or just because it is a hazy summer day, it isn't that great anyhow.

I now shoot with a 300 f/4L IS but I do that on a 5D so it is essentially the same thing as the top end of the 200 and it works just fine. I *may* go for a 400 f/5.6 next year, but I doubt it.

Do invest in a decent monopod to make this all work for you. Even at fast shutter speeds for soccer (1/1000s or better) you will get sharper shots with a monopod. Also, if you are shooting a lot, you will not get as tired.

If you want to go for the 70-200 f/2.8 then if you invest in a TC, you will essentially have a 150-500 at very,very little loss in IQ or AF speed. If you use the 1.4 on the f/4 version same thing, but you will be at f/5.6 instead.

At any rate, I think the 70-200 is a GREAT lens for kids soccer. No worries on this and I'd recommend it with no hesitation whatsoever for a 1.6x camera.

Give some thought to shooting primes, however. The sharpness is great and there really isn't all that much of an advantage to using a zoom once you think about it.

J.

I actually use my 200 f/2.8 most of the time for outdoor sports. Razor sharp, light, and easy to use.

rklepper wrote in post #2160190
I actually use my 200 f/2.8 most of the time for outdoor sports. Razor sharp, light, and easy to use.

Are you speaking of the prime? I'm really interested in this lens to add to my kit (I have a 70-200 F4 on the way). I am thinking the ultimate set of primes for me would be 50 1.8, 85 1.8, 135 f2.0L, 200 f2.8 and 100 macro.

I have both lenses you ask about and had the 70-200 f4 L lens also. For outdoor soccer action the 70-200 is super sharp and super fast. Canon has a new 70-200 f4 L IS lens that will sell for the 2.8 non IS price range which would also be very attractive. The 100-400 will get you in close but does not focus nearly as fast or accurately as the 70-200 models. I also find it more difficult to zoom and operate with the pull-push vs. the 70-200 standard twist type zoom. (Also - the 100-400 has dust inside but the 70-200 lenses are crystal clear as the focus is contained within the lens). I shoot baseball, football, soccer, etc. and love my 70-200 2.8 L IS lens for that type of work. Hope this helps.

Wow you guys are GREAT...so much knowledge on this board. I am going to get the 70-200 and get the TC, it seems like that is going to give me everything I want...
I am really excited about getting this lens and building up my L lens collection.

Do you guys recommend getting canon TC or is a cheaper version have the same quaility?? I have never shopped for one before.

Michelle K

I have the Canon 1.4xII and it works great with that lens.

I have the 70-200 F4 L, and would suggest that if you want to stick a 1.4xTC on it to go for the (F2.8) IS version if possible.

I only put my (Canon) 1.4xTC on my 300 F4 IS L now, as the IS makes a huge difference when compared to using it on a non-IS lens.