100-400 or 300mm lens for Canon

[honeybee7]

Hi, I currently use a 50d camera with a 70-300mm canon lens and would like to upgrade this lens and have been thinking of the 100-400mm lens. But recently a 300mm lens has become available at a good price so am not sure whether I should get a prime lens with a 1.4 teleconverter. I like the versatility that the 100-400 has, but hear that at 400mm it is soft. I will be using this lens many for wildlife work. Your recommendations would be appreciated.

[Colin Southern]

Hi Honey (I'm home!)

Which version of the 300mm are you referring to? (there are 4).

[honeybee7]

The 300mm F4L IS USM.

[Colin Southern]

Between the two, I'd go for for the EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS USM; you're going to end up at F5.6 minimum anyway - sharpness from either is going to be more than adequate, but the zoom gives you many other options. Contrary to popular opinion, "zooming with your feet" isn't all it's cracked up to be with long focal length lenses.

Another option (and one I use) is to grab an EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM II and marry it to either a TC1.4 or a TC2.0 -- it's a fantastic combination, and one that I'm using quite often (see below - 70-200/2.8L II + TC2.0)

[Donald]

Another option (and one I use) is to grab an EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM II and marry it to either a TC1.4 or a TC2.0 -- it's a fantastic combination, and one that I'm using quite often (see below - 70-200/2.8L II + TC2.0)

Colin

Is this specific advice in relation to the the 2.8 II? Would you say the same in relation to the f4 L? And, if so, what is your view of an argument I've read before about the x2.0 causing a degradation in image quality significantly greater than the x1.4, such that you shouldn't go for the x2.0?

[honeybee7]

Hi Colin, thanks for the reply. The EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM II was a lens I thought about but just not sure my budget could stretch that far at the moment.

[Colin Southern]

Hi Colin, thanks for the reply. The EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM II was a lens I thought about but just not sure my budget could stretch that far at the moment.

Do what I do ... buy it first, justify it later!

I got mine a few weeks ago - give Paul at Progear a call on 0800-4PROGEAR and see what he'll do you one for - I think mine was around $3600 (he STILL hasn't sent me the invoice!). The original 70-200 was great - and although it would be used with the TC2.0, one had to be pretty careful with sharpening ... but the additional sharpness of the 70-200 II makes it a sheer joy to use with either TC ... plus it's a treat to use in it's own right ... so if you can stretch the budget, it's a VERY versatile lens when used with the TCs.