birding lens advice

I have spent hours reading through forums, reviews, etc... I have been doing photography since march of last year. I find that most of ny images are of wildlife and birds to be specific. I want to upgrade my cheap 70-300 since I think I have reached the limit of its capabilities. There are a couple lenses I am considering but can't make a decision. I've tested all of them in the store near me.

Here are the lenses.
Canon 300 f4 L IS. Plus 1.4 extender later
Sigma 150-500
Canon 400 f5.6

The other thing I was considering is instead of glass. Upgrade my basic bottom of the line canon xs to a 50d used or a 60d. Or even the 7d

Which would y'all do? I just can't come up with a decision.

While I will be watching this thread for other peoples opinions on the lenses I will say the the camera upgrade is also worth consideration. I know the general rule is glass over body but I just upgraded some lenses and found my 350D was too light for the newer more solidly built lenses. The imbalance caused slight camera shake and I wasn't getting the best from the lenses. I bought a used 50D and it was a great decision with everything feeling much more balanced.
Like you I have a 70-300 and feel it is at the end of its use and needs replaced so will be interested in peoples reviews of the lenses you selected. There is a thread on the url below with some samples using the 400mm f5.6 and 50D
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=988456

Go with the 400, then the extender then a 7D. You'll see you biggest jump with the 400, the extender is a relatively cheap add on then when you're feeling the limits of that rebel make the body jump.

I am sure you'll get mixed opinions on this, as many folks on POTN use any of the options you listed. I had the same dilemma last year before I upgraded, and my personal choice was the 400mm f/5.6. That is a very sharp lens, with a good image quality. I enjoy it and never regretted my choice. I am sure, though, many people will defend Sigma, as well as your first option, so it will be tough for you to decide... Good luck, and whichever lens you go for, enjoy it...

As far as the camera body, I wouldn't bother upgrading unless you really need to. I would definitely upgrade the lens first though...

You can't put an extended on the 400 and retain AF. I would pick up the 400 then find a 40D.

Will not having IS hurt me using the 1000d body. My current 70-300 has no IS. Played with is on some lenses and kind of liked it. The 400 seems to be the best lens for BIF from what I have been reading. I just want to make the wisest decision for my purchase as I wont be making another on until next year sometime. Been saving for a while.

Some time ago, I owned, used and was very happy with a 300 f/4 with a 1.4 extender on a 20D. For me, having IS was the critical issue over the 400 f/5.6. However, my hands are quite unsteady. YMMV. I think of it as two IS lenses (300 f/4 and 420 f/5.6) for only $400 more than the 400 f/5.6. The new 1.4 extender is supposed to be a big improvement, but is more $. Choosing between these two lens combos is the subject of many web threads, even Arthur Morris has had his say: http://www.birdsasart.​com/faq_4f56or3is.html

Even though I love my 50D, I agree that you should upgrade your glass first.

How is the AF with that combo? Ugh. Its just such a big decision. Wish I had the funds to ultras camera and lens. I like the xs...but the higher iso use on it isn't great. If it was better I def wouldn't even worry about IS because I could just bring up the iso to compensate.

You're going to be outside shooting birds. You're going to need a high shutter speed to stop movement, so camera shake should not be an issue. You will need ~1/640 sec to get crisp shots from the 400mm. This speed will be at the lower end of the spectrum to freeze the bird.

Staszek wrote in post #11679887
You're going to be outside shooting birds. You're going to need a high shutter speed to stop movement, so camera shake should not be an issue. You will need ~1/640 sec to get crisp shots from the 400mm. This speed will be at the lower end of the spectrum to freeze the bird.

I agree with this. This is exactly how I decided to go with the 400mm lens over other options. You will be shooting birds outside, and preferably on a decent weather/light. Getting 1/400 seconds and faster with ISO-400 will be fairly easy. And you will be amazed at the images you get...

orion4211 wrote in post #11679811
How is the AF with that combo?

You know, it has been awhile since I used that combo. I don't remember it as "slow", but my replacement lens was faster to focus, I do remember that. I seldom try BIF, even with the new combo. I upgraded for more focal length, no other reason.

Ok, now the difference between the sigma 150-500 and 400L. Huge? sorry about all the questions, I just want to make the wisest choice.

orion4211 wrote in post #11680413
Ok, now the difference between the sigma 150-500 and 400L. Huge? sorry about all the questions, I just want to make the wisest choice.

Doesn't that boil down to $ vs. IQ? Thinl virtually everyone agrees better images w/ the 400. But I just ordered the Sigma because of cost plus the versatility of a zoom. I worried about locating the bif at 400. And I have seen many images w/ the Sig and they look pretty darn good to me. And back to the first part of the first question, I got the body upgrade first and believe that was basically a mistake. Had an xti and it was plenty good enuf for my level of expertise. Just got enthralled w/ the 7d's focusing system and the burst rate plus the construction. Hope I didn't add to your dilemna. Good luck!
_______________
Rog

I went thru the same thing a while back. Looked at all the telezooms, including the 3rd party sigma's and tamrons. All the sigma's and tamrons seemed to have about a 50-50 really like or not. The canon 400 5.6 on the other hand, didn't have a whole lot negative said about it. With that in mind, I went with the 400 5.6. For me, it was a very good decision. What a sweet handling, fast focusing, sharp lens. With my Kenko Pro3oo DGX
1.4 TC its a nice package. It was also nice to find out that this lens will AF with this Kenko without having to tape anything. Have fun making your decision.

Well reading the responses so far here, I think I am going to pull the trigger on the 400 f5.6 L Still love the idea of a 60d or 7d....but I think the wiser choice would be to wait until next year for the new body.