400 5.6L or 150-500?

hi all, i need some opinions between this 2 lenses.
ive been using my 70-200f4 IS shooting all the events, its great and i love it
but i realized i need more reach. (like shooting boats, birds, cars)

been looking through all the threads ive found that 150-500 OS have really nice reviews and how cool is the 4stop OS @500mm and more reach.

im planning if i go for:
1. 400 5.6L i will be using monopod.
2. 150-500 OS handheld (well i know its heavy, well im not really a strong/big guy.)
3. 100-400L well its kinda overlap my 70-200 and its so expensive (same goes for 300 f4IS + TC).

is the prime will give me better IQ or acurate AF over the 150-500?
(when i use this lenses i will be using on some fast moving objects like boats, birds, cars)

btw im using t2i will upgrade to 7d next year, i really like crops body for now, no plan of getting FF body. (depend how cools the next gen eos cameras canon gona announces next year :cool

thanks.

Unless I really needed 500mm reach, I would go for 400mm f5.6.

I tried a 400mm f5.6 recently and I was very impressed. I used to have one very old and that one wasn't this good.

400mm f/5.6 has the better IQ

http://www.the-digital-picture.com ….6-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

I love the 400 5.6 and it will kill the 150-500 it's light weight and the AF is very fast. I have a 100-400 and love it not sure why you mentioned the overlap still have 200mm difference

If you are considering the 100-400L why not also consider the Sigma 50-500 OS?

themadman wrote in post #10410782
If you are considering the 100-400L why not also consider the Sigma 50-500 OS?

I bet you a doughnut the 50-500 OS can't come close to the 100-400 in IQ and performance

Tanglefoot47 wrote in post #10410888
I bet you a doughnut the 50-500 OS can't come close to the 100-400 in IQ and performance

Maybe maybe not, but doughnut is inexpensive enough I'll take you up on the bet!

I've seen some reports of folks being quiet happy with the 50-500 OS. Remember, if you want 500mm, cropping a 400mm lens will drastically reduce your resolution.

thanks for the inputs, guys

as for the 100-400L, mainly its too expensive (same goes for 50-500 OS)
(i put on the last choices, i wana know if it really can beat up the 400 prime.)
if i sell for newly 70-200 to fund it..... i woulda cry.... coz im in love on it!

so far its all positive for canon over sigma
(so in term of IQ/sharpness, canon really the way to go?)

The 400 f5.6L is sharp, no doubt about that. But it lacks IS which means you NEED support for it. Sounds simply, but it might get annoying. And as I mentioned earlier, to crop a 400mm lens to match a 500mm lens image, you are losing a bunch of resolution.

Now, if I had both a 400 f5.6L and a 150-500 OS I would conduct tests on how a 500mm lens looks when downsized to match a 400mm lens cropped to match a 500mm lens, but I have neither so sorry =P

To answer straight, IQ/Sharpness goes to the 400 5.6L over the 150-500 OS, assuming you can hold it steady =)

Tanglefoot47 wrote in post #10410888
I bet you a doughnut the 50-500 OS can't come close to the 100-400 in IQ and performance

based on all the early reviews...i think you are out a doughnut...


i think it comes down to whether you need IS or not, and if you want the zoom range or not...i wouldn't really worry about the AF of the sigma being able to keep up with fast moving objects...the I.Q. isn't going to be as good as a prime...but it'll be better at anywhere aside from 400mm

i duno if i can handhold the 400mm on my t2i, but if i get the 400 i will be using monopod as well.
i can get usable image with my 70-200 @200mm IS off and shutter @1/50, anythin below 1/50 i will need IS :P

i never use any lenses that longer than 300mm or how good a monpod support will be,
the best to test out both 400 and 150-500 at the shop

I guess it's how and where and when you want to use the 400mm. Handheld indoors? No way. Handheld for birds and sports in good 9 to 5 light, yeah sure.

I tried a friend's 400 5.6L for outdoor hockey and it was great. Had to bump up to ISO800 or even 1600 for a 5pm overcast game but it was great. Used it on a 1DmkIIn. Haven't tried the 150-500 outdoors which I'm really, really hoping to try because it's a very interesting lens to me.

no.. the 400mm wont be using for indoors
mainly outdoor with sunlight, like shooting cars, birds etc.

Actually a T2i can be upgraded with ease to a 1DmarkII if you're REALLY into shooting action.

400mm indoors can be done if you want to use a tripod on, say a concert band or choir performing, or a speaker in a brightly lit place where you have to be far away at the back of the audience etc.