100-400L IS verses 70-200f/2.8L IS with 2x extender

Has anyone done a side by side comparison as to which setup yields a better quality image.

Thanks

The 100-400L would yield better IQ and AF performance.

If you are stopping down to say f/11, you will see little IQ difference.

I'm taking a look at some sample pics of a 100-400 on a 50D and I'm not blown away by the images. Images are not crisp as with my 70-200 at the same aperture. Do I need to micro adjust for this lens?

Depends on whether the problem is focus or not.

BrianMc3 wrote in post #8588500
Has anyone done a side by side comparison as to which setup yields a better quality image.

Thanks

It's a very often asked question. Basically the 1-4 is quite a bit better when compared wide open at 400mm. See...

http://the-digital-picture.com …omp=0&FLIComp=4​&APIComp=0

and

http://www.pbase.com …s/image/5329734​9/original

gasrocks wrote in post #8588608
If you are stopping down to say f/11, you will see little IQ difference.

try AFing in low light with the 2x TC. that will have a significant impact on IQ.

ed rader

I own both lenses, and to be honest am in the process of selling my 100-400. I've never liked the way you adjust the focal length and since I got my full-frame 5D2, have seemed to be consistently unhappy with what I was shooting with it, hence my decision to get rid of it.

I can't really comment on results with a 2x extender, I sold mine ages ago, but shot a lot of pictures recently with my 1.4x on my 70-200 of our little lion cubs, which were fine for a few newspapers and our current day planner and website

I suspect your 5D MkII will show the loss of IQ even more than the 50D will.

You would be better served by getting a 1.4X for use with the 70-200 and a 400/5.6 for the longer end of things. Or, if you prefer, maybe get a 300mm and use the 1.4X on it, too. IQ with the 300/4 IS holds up pretty well with that teleconverter.

I won't use a 2X on my 70-200. WIth the 1.4X it's fine, although there's some loss of IQ. There's just too much loss of IQ with the 70-200 and 2X combo, for my tastes.

I do use the 2X on 300/2.8 and 500/4 primes pretty much exclusively... I just don't use it on any zooms.

I know what you mean about the 100-400 zoom... I've never really liked the push-pull design.

I just shot a Schutzhund Trial with the 100-400 on a 50D and the image quality just isn't as good as the 70-200 f/2.8. I'll try the 1.4 extender. Maybe after I see how the images sell I'll invest in the 300 f/2.8. Keep my fingers crossed!!! I'm off to shoot the second day of trials. I'll stick with the 70-200 and work the close angles!!!

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/​lenses/400v400.shtml

For additional reach, the 100-400L also works very well with a 1.4x converter. On a FF, this will give you a max focal length of 560mm...I've shot this on my 5D2 and the results are excellent. Don't know why the 100-400L is a much-maligned lens in the forum...its a great lens and will give you great results.

5D2 + 100-400L + 1.4x shot at dusk (560mm):

argyle wrote in post #8635235
For additional reach, the 100-400L also works very well with a 1.4x converter. On a FF, this will give you a max focal length of 560mm...I've shot this on my 5D2 and the results are excellent. Don't know why the 100-400L is a much-maligned lens in the forum...its a great lens and will give you great results.

5D2 + 100-400L + 1.4x shot at dusk (560mm):

Great picture. I too use 100-400 on 5D2 (until 7D gets here ) and have been impressed by results using a Kenko 1.4x TC. I don't use it often though because I tend to use 100-400 for motorsport and air shows, and I don't have a body that will AF it when using a 1.4x TC (I haven't yet taped my pins).

BrianMc3 wrote in post #8588500
Has anyone done a side by side comparison as to which setup yields a better quality image.

Thanks

A couple of years ago, I did run a 'comparison'

Nicksan and Lightrules are spot-on, as usual, so sparing you what I found +1 for their comments.

I have both the 70-200 and the 100-400. I've played with the 1.4 extender on the 70-200 and there is a slight difference in IQ between that and the 100-400. I've never used the 2.0.

Both of these lenses are very sharp and I love them both on my 5D.