Christmas came a little early :D

I'm on vacation, visiting my folks, and I've been out everyday birding here in sunny Hong Kong.

Well, today my mother surprised me with an early Christmas present !!! Woot! I've wanted this lens for so freakin' long. This baby's going for a spin tomorrow morning .

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OMG! I hope you got her something good

KarlosDaJackal wrote in post #6919386
OMG! I hope you got her something good

Yeah I predict something nice for her in her stocking.

Not questioning the validity of your choice, but I'm wondering why you chose the 400 f/5.6 over the 300 f/4 with the option of using a 1.4TC to get you to 400mm f/5.6. I'm just curious because these two lenses are on my radar, and I think I'd rather have the IS and the flexibility for the slight loss of IQ.

Again, please don't take my question the wrong way, I'm just curious because I'm looking at this lens, too.

I opened this fully expecting a "I got a 35L thread", congrats, the 400L is a great lens!

Markitos wrote in post #6919575
Not questioning the validity of your choice, but I'm wondering why you chose the 400 f/5.6 over the 300 f/4 with the option of using a 1.4TC to get you to 400mm f/5.6. I'm just curious because these two lenses are on my radar, and I think I'd rather have the IS and the flexibility for the slight loss of IQ.

Again, please don't take my question the wrong way, I'm just curious because I'm looking at this lens, too.

Because 300mm is way too short for birding, and a TC should be an option, not a necessity. I don't need IS anyway because I either use a tripod or I shoot at 1/500s. Any slower and motion blur becomes a problem. I can also jack the ISO to get the shutter speed I need since 5D images are so clean.

I've thought about this decision for over a year. I mulled over the 400 5.6, 300 f/4 IS, and the 100-400L. In the end, the 400 won by a country mile. It's SO sharp wide open and the AF is just ridiculous.

Again, I intend to use this lens almost exclusively for birds. It was a no brainer.

Gotcha--thanks for the perspective! And congrats!

Dorman wrote in post #6919584
I opened this fully expecting a "I got a 35L thread", congrats, the 400L is a great lens!

I'm still saving up for that lens . This was an awesome christmas gift, and a completely unexpected one at that! All my mom knew was that I've been birding a lot lately and that I really wished I had this particular lens for it instead of my 200L + TC. I had no idea she was gonna buy it for me.

Markitos wrote in post #6919592
Gotcha--thanks for the perspective! And congrats!

Thanks! If you don't intend to use the lens almost exclusively for birds as I do, then the 300 f/4 and 100-400 are also fantastic choices. The 300 f/4 for its close focusing ability, and the zoom for its compactness and versatility. Owners of the 400 5.6L seem to swear by it. I can't wait to see what all the fuss is about.

Congrats Perry. You'll love the lens!

congrats man! im sooo jealous...

perryge wrote in post #6919598
Thanks! If you don't intend to use the lens almost exclusively for birds as I do, then the 300 f/4 and 100-400 are also fantastic choices. The 300 f/4 for its close focusing ability, and the zoom for its compactness and versatility. Owners of the 400 5.6L seem to swear by it. I can't wait to see what all the fuss is about.

+1 on owners that swear by it. I love mine and just like you, I use it to shoot birds almost exclusively.

perryge wrote in post #6919594
I'm still saving up for that lens . This was an awesome christmas gift, and a completely unexpected one at that! All my mom knew was that I've been birding a lot lately and that I really wished I had this particular lens for it instead of my 200L + TC. I had no idea she was gonna buy it for me.

Often the unexpected gifts are the best ones.

its a great lens, i got to borrow one for the day last year..

That's a very nice Christmas present! I keep hearing great things about this lens.

Enjoy your new lens - hope to see some samples when you get back home.