Am I crazy for wanting to sell my 100-400?

I am contemplating selling my 100-400 to help finance my 500 f4. I do have a 70-200 f2.8 and have a couple of TC's so I won't really be giving up any focal length. What's everyone's opinion?

if you MUST then go ahead, that would be the oldest one in Canon's telephoto lineup, still using the pump action to zoom in and out

With the TC's you have the range options, and the 500 will give you extra length and slightly better IQ than the 100-400, so if you shoot at that range I'd go for it.

DO not sell your 100-400 for the 500, save a bit longer if you must get the 500, you own the 5D MK2, my favorite lens on that body is the 100 400, even as a walk about. I hate using TC's and own a 70-200, it is just not the same range. I also own the 500 as well, and yes it is better than the 100-400, but the 100-400 is just so versatile for everything for portraits and ranged shots, the min focus on the 100-400 is great fun

If the 500 was within reach for the price I could get for my 100-400 I'd keep it and save just a tad longer.

Everyone is different... but I sold my 100-400 around the time I got the 500. I ended up buying another 100-400 since. I missed the flexibility and those more casual days of shooting wildlife/travel without lugging a larger lens. Actually to add, I bought the 300 and thought that would replace the 100-400, it didn't. The 500 and 300 are amazing lens, but again, I missed the 100-400, it definitely has its place for me.

The 500mm is a superb Lens - sadly I am not a fan of the 100-400mm the pump action and dog slow autofocus was just not for me, anything other than a bright clear day has the autofocus on the zoom hunting all over the place, so I sold it on and honestly will never get another


whereas the 500mm is big and heavy but it works with the 1.4x like a champ and gets my vote every time

having said that it is pretty impossible to compare the 2 you have mentioned as equals as they are for entirely different shooting

my 2p
Chris

I like my 100-400, but if I needed the 500, I'd sell it in a minute. I don't so I'll hang onto longer. I don't use my TC, they don't help the IQ, IMO. If you don't use the gear, sell it! It's much better in the long run to get what you need.

I'd reckon that for safari, birding and or sports, the 100-400 + 500 + TC combo would be great if you were shooting two bodies.

Sell it. If you almost always used it at the long end, you will not use it anymore anyways. Ever since I got my 600 f/ IS, the Siggy 50-500 has been put in its original box on the shelf. It hasn't seen the light of day since. I vote for dumping it and get the 500 that much sooner.

Sold my 100-400 when I got my 300f2.8 and don't miss it.

Buttkicker wrote in post #8976887
The 500mm is a superb Lens - sadly I am not a fan of the 100-400mm the pump action and dog slow autofocus was just not for me, anything other than a bright clear day has the autofocus on the zoom hunting all over the place, so I sold it on and honestly will never get another

whereas the 500mm is big and heavy but it works with the 1.4x like a champ and gets my vote every time

having said that it is pretty impossible to compare the 2 you have mentioned as equals as they are for entirely different shooting

my 2p
Chris

you must have had some sort of problem -- either user or equipment -- because the 100-400L works very well in low light and really focusses pretty quickly.

ed rader

EricL wrote in post #8976271
I am contemplating selling my 100-400 to help finance my 500 f4. I do have a 70-200 f2.8 and have a couple of TC's so I won't really be giving up any focal length. What's everyone's opinion?

You mention TCs and the 70-200/2.8....

IMHO, the 70-200 is usable with 1.4X, but not with the 2X. Now, I know some folks are okay with the 2X. But a lot of others seem to feel same as me, that the reduced image quality with the 2X on this lens is just too much of a trade-off.

Overall, it really depends upon what you shoot. 500/4 is far from being my most used lens, but it sees enough use that I'd not want to let it go.

If you use the 100-400 a lot, you would probably regret selling it, even if you love the 500 and use it a lot.

I find both the 100-400 and 300 2.8 compliment each other. 300 is mostly used at 600mm on the 50D...the 100-400 on the 5D is a great closer-up option...worked great in Africa. Never have I found the 100-400 AF slow, I find that opinion must be based on bad copies.