which lens/combo??

ok im looking for a longer lens mainly for birding using a 20D

I've narrowed it down to either :-
1) 100-400L f4.5/5.6 IS. £1042.00 (£937.00 after cashback)
2) 300L f4 IS with a 1.4 TC. £1208.00 (£1068.00 after cashback)

given that the difference in the focal lenth is not that much between the two lens, but i do gain a full stop @300,(ok ill lose it with the 1.4 TC @ 420mm)how would the quality be. are they the same(ish) or would the 300+TC be sharper? which would you recommend?

I already have the 70-200 covered so im really looking for the best IQ

edited....
maybe even opt for the 400L f5.6 and throw in an extender to? £1068.00 (£1033.00 after cashback)

If you also want to do some macro, get the 300/4 L IS.

thanks gas was looking for the best iq between the f4 300mm with 1.4 tc and the 100-400 f5.6. i noticed you have the 300 and the tc's how is the iq and af when both used together

Did you look at Photozone.de tests? MOst say the IQ is better with the 300/4 and a 1.4x but do you need a zoom or not is a bigger question.

thanks for the reply gas as for do i need a zoom well ive got the 17-200 range covered so i hoped that the 300 with tc would cover the remainder i know ill be lacking in 200-300 range but the 70-200 would have to cope with that with cropping or maybe even with the tc if light permits? at the moment im 6 of one and 1/2 a dozen of the other between these two lens(or is it lenses?)
the 300 for the extra stop with the tc for lenth, or the 100-400 for focal lenths? i think its gonna be the iq that wins this one out.

I had both and chose the zoom in the end. The 300mm is a lovely lens but AF seemed sluggish to me with a TCon. Not much IQ difference but I don't pixel peep. I would choose on zoom or prime preference, tho f4 is a nice to have. Also, I didn't like the push/pull on the 100-400mm either. I actually preferred my ex Bigma and 100-300mm f4 Sigma's. The latter is a superb lens in all respects unless you want IS. Neither of the L's where as good all round in my opinion and I probably should have kept it.

I had the same dilema and chose the 100-400L. The speed difference of the two lenses (300 f/4 and 100-400 f4.5) is not significant. The 300 with a 1.4xTC comes in at f/5.6, which is identical to the 100-400L. However, with the 100-400, you get an instant change in shot composition, framing, etc.

The 300 f/4 is lighter though, and those who have it rave about its IQ.

thanks condyk and jnun there seems to be very little between the 2 ,in either IQ or speed so in the end i have decided on the 100-400 on the basis of less lens/tc swapping and continuous focal lenths on the 100-400 thanks for all who put there points forward.

mmm leaves me with £130 spare me thinks i better treat the wife with that..on the other hand theres a cpl of small attatchments i mght need......nooooo better treat the wife!

Spend the 130 on a set of Kenko extension tubes in case you want to do macro with the 100-400.

nice thought scott but i think ive hit the limit with the 100-400 better treat the wife ,im very surprised at her letting me have this at this time of yr..3 kids to find for xmas.

philbyuk wrote in post #2248892
nice thought scott but i think ive hit the limit with the 100-400 better treat the wife ,im very surprised at her letting me have this at this time of yr..3 kids to find for xmas.

Good move! You've got to admit, that her being okay with your spending $$$ on a lens is reason enough to treat her to something special.

My wife has known I was crazy (in terms of my photography habit) since she first went out with me over 30 years ago. She still doen't get it, but at least she doesn't hold it against me!

jnun you wanna swap wives?..shes gonna hold this one aginst me for yrs to come.lol

philbyuk wrote in post #2249003
jnun you wanna swap wives?..shes gonna hold this one aginst me for yrs to come.lol

Actually, she has at times held it against me! I have learned not to divulge the extent of my madness (exact $$ involved) but she knows its substantial.

lol join the club..its surprising how cheap lenses and accesories are when i go shopping alone

JNunn wrote in post #2248983
She still doen't get it, but at least she doesn't hold it against me!

'If I said you had a beautiful body would you hold it against me' ... such as the 20D?

Dr Hook