Canon 100-400is overkill or not?

[mike_wain]

I intend to purchae the Canon eos 5 with the 100-400is.

I will be using them mainly for wildlife, safari's ect. My question is, will this oufit produce much better results than say a Minolta 100-300 APO with a Minolta 800 body and a beanbag for support, bearing in mind that I will be shooting with print film only. At presant I use a Canon sureshot 120 classic, quality ok but I would like better, with a longer zoom for wildlife.

 

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Is the Canon kit an overkill? It's nearly twice the price of the minolta package and also weighs twice as much. I don't mind spending the extra cash if the results are shown in my photo's. Any suggestions welcome.

[ac_gordon1]

I have not used any Minolta stuff. That said, assuming the Minolta

gear is of equal optical quality to Canon's (although I would be

surprised if the Minolta could rival the quality/built of a Canon L

lens), I would still go for the Canon. You have 100mm more reach,

image stiabilization, and in same speed lens (aperture wise). The

Canon setup would just be more flexible.<p>

Also, an EOS 5 with 100-400 is not so heavy that weight is really a

factor (at least for me). Also, if possible, I would try out both

combos at a store to see which handles better for you, as that could

be a consideration. If in doubt, I would purchase the Canon combo

first and try it out thoroughly. If you don't like it, its resale

value should be much better than Minolta's.

[alex_tran1]

Michael,

 

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I use the 100-400IS lens whenever I travel. Getting the big lens to

my destination is a chore because it is very heavy as compared to my

former lens which was the 75-300IS. The results however are well

worth it. I recently came back from a boat trip in Cancun. I used

the 100-400 lens to capture a spectacular sunset with para-sailors

and a big sun. I couldn't use a tripod on the boat so I hand-held

the lens at 400mm at 1/125 sec. The pictures were sharp despite my

hand-holding and the rocking of the boat.

 

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If weight and size are considerations for you, I would also evaluate

the Canon 75-300IS lens. It is lighter and smaller, although you

will lose 100mm and AF speed.

 

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Good luck.

[karl_lehmann]

The image stabilized 100-400 combined with a beanbag is an awesome

safari setup. Get it, you won't be sorry.

[darren kilgore]

Since a camera body has nothing to do with image quality, and you

have access to a beanbag for either setup, the only difference would

be between the lens optics only. I guess you'll have to find the test

results yourself as I'm not familiar w/ the Minolta lens, but do own

the 100-400. Though I'm not a wildlife shooter, the extra 100mm in

length would benefit you greatly and give you much more fredom, and

the IS is another nice feature. Not sure this helped any, but I can't

help but think a longer lens would be the only way to go if you can

fund for it.

[eduardo_buso1]

This is not the answer you are looking for, and this lens is not the

best lens for safari's and the like, but you should know that B&H is

practically giving away their stock of EF 100-300 L 5.6 lenses. Yes

its an old design, no USM, but with great glass and for $329.00 US

version, its a steal.

[andy_thompson]

I'm just about to change my 75-300mm IS zoom for the 100-400L IS

zoom. I strongly recommend avoiding the cheaper Canon lens. I have

recruited in Kenya for the last 4 years and switched from an Olympus

OM4 with 300mm f/4.5 to an EOS 5 with 75-300 IS two years ago.

 

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I have just started to use the safari photo's from my last two

visits, 10 rolls of soft focus shots. The lens is fine if all you

want is 5x4' prints but if you want to exhibit you work or print at

10x8' or 12x16' the lens is just not up to scratch.

 

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On my last visit I borrowed an old 100-300L and the results are much

better. Looking at the tests results I am expecting just as good from

the 100-400 with the added advantage of IS.

 

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Andy

[hudef]

EOS 5??? Get a 3 or 7 at least! Also, if you expect to be using the

lens mostly at the long end, get the flawless 300 4 IS and a 2X

Sigma.

[casey_veranth]

looks like this discussion has died...

i'm no expert...but i do have the minolta 100-300 apo lenses. it is

very small (@3.5 inches @100mm) and weighs something like 16

oz....very easy to travel around with. yes i do use it for wildlife

photos, and yes the focus isn't super fast like the canons...but it

will give excellent results wide open at 300mm...i have many 16x20s i

like from it; i used to use a 4x5, so i feel i have good idea of

sharpness :).

it is f5.6 (but i shoot mostly 400 speed b&w so i don't care! besides

5.6 is fine for a "sunny" day here in seattle w/ 100 speed film, and

we don't get much sun!)...you can pick up a used one for about

300.00...and a used 7xi for around 250.00...a very good and

affordable combo w/ a 4fps filmdrive....also save a considerable amt

over just the straight 100-400 IS lens!

btw the 100-300 apo has a focus hold switch...almost as good as the

af/mf ease of a canon L lense

 

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the downside: the differences pointed out above are all mechanical, i

don't see optical differences between the two lenses (i'm VERY

pleased w/ the apo's performance, but maybe i have low standards?).

however the 100-300 apo is not as stoutly constructed as the canon

100-400 IS...i wont even go into the focusing dept! but then you

would be comparing a 399.00 lens to a 1000+ dollar lens and that

isn't fair!

[casey_veranth]

btw..i noticed you said you are using only print film...print film is

usually "sharper" than slide film...and well its ideal for

prints....u r probably using a 100 speed or faster film? go w/

the100-300 apo + 7xi used @500.00, then use the other 1500+ towards

the safari!

 

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either setup is great, but how serious are you about your pics? if

you use the camera 365 days a year w/o regard to humidity, gravity,

etc go w/ the big dog...if you don't aspire to see your pics in natl

geographic and you prefer a 16 oz lens of equal optical quality

w/ "mortal" construction and avg ("prosumer") focus speed as its vice

that you use every other day of the year instead...welcome to

minoltas :)

 

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good luck Casey V

[timothy_stevens]

The canon sureshot 120 can take pictures and also fit into your

pocket. if you get chased by a hippo or something it won't weigh you

down. don't worry about that flash epensive kit, stick with what

you've got!