the chad

In a year you will thank yourself you sent it in and got it fixed. I hate repairs too, but for some reason those who fix camera equipment fix it fast and send it back, because there photographers too.

I can't believe all the negative responses. If they all need a L lens to satisfy their pickyness then only buy L glass. The 28-135IS is a good lens that even a lot of pros have in their collection. I even use the 28-200 that no snob would use & I find a way to get shots that no snob would guess which lens I used. Look, if you get the 28-135IS and tell others you used a 24-105L they would be amazed at your shots. Trust me. Flaws are found based on the lens stated and the reviews people read. The 28-135IS is a great basic zoom that's nothing spectacular, but for the price is a very nice zoom that many many around the world capture great shots with. Its slow, but IS makes up for this. If your not a Natl. Geographic pro photographer this lens will make you happy for a lifetime, unless your a snob who has read too many lens reviews.

Ralph & Mark I am sorry I forgot to mention what I will be using my choice for. I live in northern Utah and escape to the mountains to photograph wildlife and escape Mormons. Thanks for your comments.

Marvin, great comments. Very appreciated.

Andre, good point, I forgot about the IS issue.

J. Harrington Thank you for your comments & I loved your photo.

Dennis I am jealous. I want to go on a safari. Thanks for your comments.

Peter. Thank you so much for your passionate response, that is what I was looking for. Everyone was great, but you got me thinking strongly about the prime, and I just loved your photo.

Dick I plan to use my choice to shoot birds as well. Thanks you so much.

J.P. your very right about versatility. This is a hard choice. Thanks for another very passionate response. And because that is what I was really looking for you and Peter both have me thinknig so much. This is a good thing.

William. Great point & thanks so much for your valuble comments.

Andrew. Really good point on the 300 + TC. I checked that out on canon's web site & forgot I did. Thanks for reminding me I have more options.

Peter. Good comment supporting the zoom. Thanks.

Everyone thanks so much. This is why photo.net is so valuble and worthwile. I appreciate each and every comment and hopefully I will be able to give all of you valuble advise in the future. I think I have my mind made up, but I still need to sleep on it before I type in that credit card number. Either way there will be some regret I could not afford the other one as well. Some day these bills will be paid off and I will get that 600L and mount it above the fireplace. Thanks again.

Okay, some day in the far far future I hope to make enough money to own both

and every other L super telephoto, (don't we all) but for now I only barley can

afford one of these 400's and I can't decide. Reviews say the prime is

optically superior and works better with the TC's, however, zoom, evil zoom

makes the decision so difficult. I figure there both better then anything I

already got, but I don't want to buy the zoom just for versatility if the prime

is just flat out superior optically. Please help me decide? All comments and

opinions are greatly appreciated as once I buy one that's it for awhile.

Thanks in advance everyone.

Native focal lenghts are always the best. TC's are usefull, nevertheless the 400 5.6 is buy far the superior lens. Primes are nice, but a 300mm prime does not excite me. I atually like 50, 85, & 100mm primes for portrait's. In the field, modern telephoto zooms like the 400 5.6 (especially on digital 1.6x FOVCF) are the best. TC's produce images similar to spotting scopes with built in digital cameras. Nice for the family, but not so much in our world. I must say the 300 prime is a wonderful lens worth having, but if one must choose, the 400 zoom is better. Don't let its slow speed scare you, a good photographer knows how to adjust ISO and shutter for that, plus the IS really makes the speed look a whole lot worse then it is. You can hand hold this lens and get awesome shots with cloud cover in the evening (no joke). A wonderful professional "L" series lens that produces amazingly sharp pictures. Probable the most popular serious wildlife lens out there. Good luck!

I have enough zooms. I want a good, non "L" for affordability portrait range

prime for my XT with a 1.6x FOVCP. Thanks<div></div>