Canon 400mm 5.6 or....

After this last swell I found that I'd like more reach for my surfing photography. The option which I'm leaning towards is the 1.) 400mm 5.6 prime (<$1K used) but the other two options 2.) getting a 2X telecon and combining w/my 200mm 2.8 thereby making a 400mm 5.6. or 3.) spending a little more (<$1300 used) and getting a used 100-400mm L (my gut is that I'll have the thing pulled to 400mm 95% of the time).

I've done some searching but wanted to get some feedback from you fine folks.

400 prime give the best IQ.. 100-400 more flexible.. 2X saves more money..
choose wisely my friend..
if i were you, ill go for 400 prime since you are going to use it at 400mm 95% of the time

LOVED my 400 5.6 when i had it!

i think the prime will be your best bet as you dont really need IS as your SS will be high to stop the action.
Rob.

Just to play devil's advocate: What about the 300 f/4 IS and a 1.4x tele? Price for both is even to the 100-400ish if you buy used. It would be more versatile than the 400 5.6, and you get IS and fantastic IQ.

I own the 100-400 and while I love (and feel I need) the versatility of the zoom, I'm seriously considering the 400 prime for image quality. For birding, I'm extended to 400 most of the time as well. I'm told the 1.4 extender works well with the 400 as well, whereas not as good with the 100-400.

Dont even think about getting a 2X TC until you have tried a 1.4x TC first. Is 400mm going to be the right length for you? Are you going to be using a monopod, tripod?

mikemo618 wrote in post #11234753
Just to play devil's advocate: What about the 300 f/4 IS and a 1.4x tele? Price for both is even to the 100-400ish if you buy used. It would be more versatile than the 400 5.6, and you get IS and fantastic IQ.

I've been thinking about a longer lens for my surf photog, too. And all these lenses are in my radar, but this 300/4IS + 1.4x sounds like a really good option. I've never used a TC before, so I'm concerned about hot it will affect my AF speed in AI Servo. I've found that fast AF is really important in surf photog.

On the other hand, I'm shooting on a crop anyway, so 300 * 1.6 may just be long enough.

If you need 400mm get 400mm f5.6. Nothing with TCs is going to better than native 400mm f5.6.

Another big vote for the 400mm prime
great Lens

Rent one and try it out!

Wish Canon would come out with a 400 5.6 with IS

I wish they'd come out with a 400 4.0 IS, or 500 5.6 IS!

If you are doing surf, get the 400 f5.6L and put a TC on THAT. You need REACH for surf.

But there is a 400/4 IS.