Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM

LJ3Jim wrote in post #17914006
Since I got the 100-400 II over a year ago, I haven't used my 300 very much. However, a couple of months ago, I took both lenses to visit some eagles. I had the 300 on a 70D and the 100-400 II on a 7D2 along with a 1.4x III. I took a number of shots with each camera; two of them are below. In my opinion, the shot taken with the 300 is noticeably better. I must get the 300 out more often!

I think I like the 2.8 better myself ..

Tomi Hawk wrote in post #17915492
I think I like the 2.8 better myself ..

This is what I'm wondering as I have the 100-400 II.... is the 300mm + 1.4xiii worth the additional cost?

Not to derail the thread, but would appreciate opinions from others!

100-400 @ F5.6 + 70d = 640mm @ 5.6 (I have)

Or:

300 mm F2.8 + 1.4x III + 70d = 672mm @ F4 (should I get?)

I have a 75-300L (that nobody wants to buy it seems....) so I could keep when wider angles are needed.

markesc wrote in post #17915840
This is what I'm wondering as I have the 100-400 II.... is the 300mm + 1.4xiii worth the additional cost?

Not to derail the thread, but would appreciate opinions from others!

100-400 @ F5.6 + 70d = 640mm @ 5.6 (I have)

Or:

300 mm F2.8 + 1.4x III + 70d = 672mm @ F4 (should I get?)

I have a 75-300L (that nobody wants to buy it seems....) so I could keep when wider angles are needed.

Yes, yes, yes.

As not only does it give you the 420mm (672mm fov on 70d) at F4 instead of F5.6 it also gives you native 300mm ( 480mm fov on 70d) at F2.8 instead of F5.6.

And, adding a 2x III into the mix gives you 600mm (960mm fov on 70d) @ F5.6 and still full AF capability.

graham121 wrote in post #17915872
And, adding a 2x III into the mix gives you 600mm (960mm fov on 70d) @ F5.6 and still full AF capability.

This ^ .. having full AF capability when using the extenders is simply an amazing +++!
I just bought the 1.4 ll for my 200 2.8 ..

markesc wrote in post #17915840
This is what I'm wondering as I have the 100-400 II.... is the 300mm + 1.4xiii worth the additional cost?

Not to derail the thread, but would appreciate opinions from others!

100-400 @ F5.6 + 70d = 640mm @ 5.6 (I have)

Or:

300 mm F2.8 + 1.4x III + 70d = 672mm @ F4 (should I get?)

I have a 75-300L (that nobody wants to buy it seems....) so I could keep when wider angles are needed.

I have both, and IMO both lenses serve different purposes. I use 100-400 II as my walk around/general purpose wildlife/birding lens. On the other hand, I use 300mm mostly either as a bare lens at F2.8 or attached with 2X TC III, it's a specific lens for me. I very rarely attached the 300mm with 1.4, because the 100-400mm II is already enough for me. The 100-400mm II is a super sharp lens with very fast AF at any range and apertures.

IMHO, when you buy 300mm 2.8, that's because you need 300mm and 2.8. If you shoot almost always at 400mm, then buying 300mm 2.8 + 1.4 TC is not worth it. Or, like me, you buy it as an cheaper alternative of 600mm with 2X TC III.

If budget is not a problem and you have to choose between the 2, then I would recommend 300mm 2.8 plus 2X TC III instead of 1.4 TC.

Or, with the new release of 80D, you can just buy the camera and keep the 100-400 II and buy 1.4 TC III. With 80D, you will be able to AF up to 27 points at F8, that's really cool! Actually I might buy the 80D when it shows up in Canon refurb.

I appreciate your response and agree with the logic! Need that F8 ability and a larger buffer would be nice...(80d increases raw buffer from 15 on the 70d to 25 on the 80d according to this: http://www.photoreview​.com.au …/first-look-canon-eos-80d )

Short-eared Owl

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/F3u6​1s

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/EWBe​ED

markesc wrote in post #17915840
This is what I'm wondering as I have the 100-400 II.... is the 300mm + 1.4xiii worth the additional cost?

Not to derail the thread, but would appreciate opinions from others!

100-400 @ F5.6 + 70d = 640mm @ 5.6 (I have)

Or:

300 mm F2.8 + 1.4x III + 70d = 672mm @ F4 (should I get?)

You'll never know unless you rent the 300 f2.8 II and 1.4xIII. If bought new that combo will set you back about $6500.
That money would get you 32mm more reach and a slightly brighter lens.

I own the 300 f2.8 IS II and 1.4xIII & 2xIII. To call this lens fantastic is an understatement. Super sharp and beautiful bokeh.
I bought it for air shows that are usually shot in bright daylight. But last year I rented the 100-400II and used both lenses for
an air show. The IQ of the 100-400II approaches that of the 300II, the zoom is that good.

If I had the 100-400II first, I'm not sure I'd buy the 300II. But that's just me because of the type of shooting I do.

Just like to say that I've been watching this thread on and off since I joined the site. In fact it was most likely this particular thread that brought me to it. Finally after much debate and conscience wrestling I have finally gone past the 'add to basket' button (for the 4th time) and pressed the 'confirm order button.' Yes, it's expensive, yes, I can't really justify it and yes I'll be working overtime till the cows come home to pay for it but it was inspirational images like the ones on here that I used to stare at in an old Canon T90 brochure about 25 years ago that got me into photography and by golly I've put it off long enough. I should have a new Canon EF 300mm f2.8L IS II within the next 5 days. And just because I've waited so long I've also treated myself to 1.4x & 2.0x converters. So thanks to all the great photographers on this forum who inspire mere mortals like myself to live their dreams.

RocketManBentley wrote in post #17931474
Just like to say that I've been watching this thread on and off since I joined the site. In fact it was most likely this particular thread that brought me to it. Finally after much debate and conscience wrestling I have finally gone past the 'add to basket' button (for the 4th time) and pressed the 'confirm order button.' Yes, it's expensive, yes, I can't really justify it and yes I'll be working overtime till the cows come home to pay for it but it was inspirational images like the ones on here that I used to stare at in an old Canon T90 brochure about 25 years ago that got me into photography and by golly I've put it off long enough. I should have a new Canon EF 300mm f2.8L IS II within the next 5 days. And just because I've waited so long I've also treated myself to 1.4x & 2.0x converters. So thanks to all the great photographers on this forum who inspire mere mortals like myself to live their dreams.

Congrats! And welcome to the elite club I have the same setup as yours and you wont be dissapointed.

Scott_online wrote in post #17929518
Short-eared Owl

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/F3u6​1s 2016-03-08 17-27-45 by Scott Grubb, on Flickr

Red Kite

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/EWBe​ED 2016-03-03 13-54-12 by Scott Grubb, on Flickr

Beautiful shots! How do you like the 5DSR compared the 1DX?

RocketManBentley wrote in post #17931474
Just like to say that I've been watching this thread on and off since I joined the site. In fact it was most likely this particular thread that brought me to it. Finally after much debate and conscience wrestling I have finally gone past the 'add to basket' button (for the 4th time) and pressed the 'confirm order button.' Yes, it's expensive, yes, I can't really justify it and yes I'll be working overtime till the cows come home to pay for it but it was inspirational images like the ones on here that I used to stare at in an old Canon T90 brochure about 25 years ago that got me into photography and by golly I've put it off long enough. I should have a new Canon EF 300mm f2.8L IS II within the next 5 days. And just because I've waited so long I've also treated myself to 1.4x & 2.0x converters. So thanks to all the great photographers on this forum who inspire mere mortals like myself to live their dreams.

Congratulations! I sold a Corvette to get my 300 II. No regrets! This lens loves the extenders. Good choice to get them.

2loose, thanks, it has always seemed to me that the 300 2.8L from Canon was the holy grail of lenses. Also If DXOmark is anything to go by it seems to be confirmed as the sharpest of the sharp. I see from your gear that you have a 1Dx, do you notice any difference with this particular lens on the Dx over the 5D?

LJ3Jim, thanks, you've made me feel that I have made the right choice. I was thinking that working overtime for the next few years was commitment enough but selling a Corvette seems like a tougher decision to have come to. Hopefully I'll have some pics worthwhile posting here once it arrives. On an even more positive note I went back on to the website that I bought the lens from to check the delivery status and I see that since I confirmed purchase the lens price has increased £100! So realistically I've saved myself a weeks overtime! Lol!