Help in Deciding= 400 f2.8 or 500 f4?

I just sold off the 300mm 2.8 IS ( phenomenal lens) because it was just too short. I enjoy surf photography and i really was not super pleased with the results at 600mm (with 2X TC).

I am awaiting some funds to purchase either a used 400mm 2.8 IS or a 500mm f4 IS.

My main question is: Does anyone ever use the 500mm for field sports? How does it perform with adequate light. I know it might be rough for night games with the lost stop.

Thanks,
mike

i would think for surfing you want as much reach as possible. i would go for the 500. i see plenty of 500's at football games.

I've used a 600mm f4 lens for night football games outdoors, using ISO 1600 with a shutter speed of 1/500th @f4, so the 500mm f4L shouldn't be any problem.

While the 400mm f2.8L I.S. would be great with the extra stop of light, and adding the 1.4x TC would give you a focal length of 560mm f4, there's the extra weight of the 400 mm lens to consider.

I think whichever lens you choose, you'll capture some incredible images.

One final thing to consider. Most professional surf photographers when shooting from the beach, tend to use the EF 600mm f4L (or possibly now the EF 800mm f5.6L) lens. So if surfing photography is as you say, your top priority, of the two lenses you've mentioned, I'd say go for the 500mm f4L.

Or since the extra weight of the 400mm f2.8L doesn't seem to be an issue for you, then why not go for the gusto, and find a good deal on a 600mm f4L I.S.

I love my 500 and have shot it at many sporting events. I think the big downside to the 400 is the extra weight and the extra money. The 500 is an all around awesome lens.

No real comparison 'tween the 400/2.8 and 500/4. Big difference in size, weight and cost. I cannot imagine your needing f/2.8 for surfing really. Get the 500/4.

Ya ,
i have seen a lot of surf photographers with the 600,
but really want to have a versatile lens for field sports(rugby) and being able to shoot surfing. the 600 seems too long for field action.

The 300 was great for field sports, just too short for surfing. The 400mm would be nice at 560 with 1.4.

The 500mm seems like a good middle ground. After Xmas ill have all the money to decide.

I am looking forward to the day when I can afford to debate between these two lenses. But when that time comes, I'd be taking a 500/4L, no questions asked.

Hookedup(I know I spelled it wrong) uses his 500mm f4 for surf and got off some sweet shots of the Goo Goo Dolls frontman playing at a presidential ralley. The riser was pretty far from the stage and everyone else had 70-200mm and he happen to have his 500 f4 with him so he ended up with the better shots. That 500mm is on my lens list. Never thought it would be, but I could use a good lens like that.

ironbelle wrote in post #6607008
but I could use one good zoom like that.

OK...I'm nit pickin' here but the 500 f4 is a prime not a zoom

jra wrote in post #6607181
OK...I'm nit pickin' here but the 500 f4 is a prime not a zoom

It's a "fixed zoom" how's that?

If you need the reach all the time I would go for the 500, however if the extra weight is not a problem, then the 400 with a 1.4 would give you two great options

I'm also thinking about buying the 500 f4 for wildlife photography, how do you find carrying around weight wise?

It's really not that bad. I carried it around and shot handheld for a few hours yesterday. I would guess 30 min of that was holding the lens up to shoot birds. I just wedge my elbow into my side and use it as a kind of monopod. I'm no muscle builder either so I would think most people should have no problem, it's just a matter of getting used to it.

Sounds like I'd be ok with it, Just being a girly I owndetred if it was going to be too heavy but I'm sued to carryingheavy photographic kit around...

Many people considerthe 500/4 to be the best compromise of magnification, speed and weight (and cost). The 400/2.8 and 600/4 are much heavier and are manageable if you're not too weedy, but you'd soon tire of the weight. They're both a good bit more expensive than the 500 too.