wisdom_tong Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 i'm researching on a new purchase between the 300mm IS + 1.4 extender and 400mm f5.6. I mainly shoot motorsport and wildlife. I'm concerned about image quality and AF speed. I would love to hear about the user's feedback on these option. Many thanks for all feedback Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davyjo Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 I have the 300 f/4 IS and the 1.4X and love it. I love the flexibility and find I use the 300 alone 60-70% of the time. I find very little degradation in either the auto-focus or the image quality with the 1.4X. I agonized over the choice between these same two combinations. The flexibility and the IS made the decision in favor of the 300. The IS is a huge plus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark u Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 What body are you using? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_ziegler2 Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 Why not consider the Canon 100-400L IS 4.5/5.6? Excellent lens and great flexability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryan_lardizabal Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 Although I have the 400mm f5.6L, in your case I would opt for the 300mm/ 1.4 TC combination for flexibility. The TC will slow down the AF speed so keep that in mind for motorsports. Aside from the 100-400mm mentioned, an even better choice is obviously the 300mm f2.8L IS if you can afford it.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitmstr Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 I think the 300 f/4 IS makes a difference even with the extender because of the IS mechanism. At those focal length I would always opt for an IS lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_g10 Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 I don't have and never tried 400mm f/5.6 but here is an example for 300mm f/4 IS USM + 1.4X, original size: http://flickr.com/photos/dallascowboysfan/2683242283/sizes/o/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/dallascowboysfan/2683143937/sizes/o/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith reeder Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 <i>Private photos, John G - we can't see 'em.</i><br><Br> One more vote here for the 100-400mm... <img src=http://keithreeder.diinoweb.com/files/mandrill%201f.jpg> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith reeder Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 Oops - I've posted the monkey (it's a Mandrill, incidentally) image at 800px, and the forum software has crunched it down to 700px... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith reeder Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 Try again:<br><Br> <img src="http://keithreeder.diinoweb.com/files/mandrill%20700.jpg"> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_g10 Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 Sorry...I've fixed the permissions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_myers Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 Hi, Perhaps more important than the question about which camera you'll be using it on it also matters what other lenses you already have in your kit. For example, if you already have a 70-200, add a 1.4X and you'll have close to a 300. Otherwise, I'd get the 300 + 1.4 for two reasons: This gives you two very useful focal lengths instead of just one. And, it has IS, which is very useful on longer lenses. The main things that have kept me from buying the 100-400 are the variable aperture and the push-pull zoom design. Other than that, and those are personal preferences, it might be just the ticket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randy_paulson Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Hi Wisdom. I'm just got started with DSLR Canon gear about a year and a half ago. I also agonized over this exact issue. I finally decided (based on reviews and on comments by the knowledgeable folks here) that the 300mm 4.0 with the 1.4 extender was a better option (for me) than the 400mm 5.6, primarily for the IS. For the shooting I do (mainly wildlife), the IS is invaluable as much of what I do is hand held. I have no regrets. Even as a beginner, I'm constantly amazed at the shots that the lens/extender combination is capable of acquiring. I seldom use my 300 without the extender attached. As far as focus speed, if the focus is close when the button is depressed, it's really quick. However, if it needs to cycle through the entire range to establish focus, it takes a bit of time. The only time I find that a problem is shooting birds in flight. I tend to shoot with only the center focus point enabled. If my aim is not good and I have only sky as a background, the focus cycles a fair amount before locking. This issue is mine, not a fault of the lens. I'd certainly recommend the 300 with the 1.4X. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lester_wareham Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Another advantage of the 300/4 IS compared to the 400/5.6 is the MFD. This allows small subjects to be imaged without extension tubes, add a extension tube or two for more magnification, the close MFD means you then have a wider magnification range using the focus ring than with a lens like the 400/5.6. The 400/5.6 is probably the lens to go for if you are heavily biased towards birds and can operate with a tripod in poor light. From what you say I would think the 300/4 IS is probably more applicable to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith reeder Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 Randy, Lester, all of the benefits you mention of the 300mm (+ TC) apply automatically to the 100-400mm and - as I believe my Mandrill shot above indicates - sharpness and IQ from the 100-400mm are *not* issues. It certainly isn't true to say that IQ from the 300mm or 400mm primes will be better *simply because they're primes* - I consider the monkey to hold up *very well* in terms of sharpness and IQ, to Bryan's Minah bird... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giorgio_guglielmino Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 Hi, Almost all the pictures here are taken with the 400 f5.6. http://giorgio-photos.com/wordpress/?page_id=89&preview=true Some are underexposed,so maybe just look at the well exposed ones to have an idea of what this lens is capable for. Giorgio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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