| sent on July 12, 2012 (9:10)
Hi All,
I have the 7D and the following lenses:
70-200 f/4 L IS USM
100-400 L IS USM
100 mm 2.8 Macro L Lens
I am planning to get either the 300 2.8 or the 500 f/4 II. I am a serious hobbyist and my main interest is birding and wildlife.
Is the 300 + TCs 1.4 and 2 X comparable to the performance of the 500 + 1.4 X? I know the 500 is more expensive, but the 300 has the advantage of weight in its favor.
Tough choice........
Please suggest
Regards
Sanjeev |
user11427 | sent on July 12, 2012 (15:43)
The 500 + 1.4 X should be better image quality wise and with AF performance. Not to mention a bit more reach. The only advantage the 300 + 2 x has is the lesser weight and closer MFD. That said the new 500 ii is a fair bit lighter than the one it replaces. You're already covered up to 400mm so the 500mm would be my choice if money was no object. |
| sent on July 12, 2012 (16:23)
Thanks Stubones. Your views make sense. I have seen Juza's stellar images with the 300 2.8 with TCs and was amazed at the IQ. Ofcourse I am not even half as talented as him!! II wonder what Juza's take would be?
Appreciate your suggestion.
Regards
Sanjeev |
| sent on July 12, 2012 (19:37)
I agree with Stubones suggestion too. In birding the longer the better,I am using old version EF 500/4L,which is very good lens,but sometimes I feel extra reach is needed especially with shy birds. |
user11427 | sent on July 13, 2012 (14:06)
... and I'm stuck with the 70-200mm f/2.8 ii and a 2 x extender iii for now  not ideal for BIF! |
| sent on July 13, 2012 (23:02)
I would definitely go with the 500 f4. With the 300 since you already own the 100-400 you'll always have the 2x on. This will really slow down the focus and will be more challenging for birds in flight. The new 500 handles great for birds in flight with its weight reduction and will focus fairly fast with the 1.4 extender on. Unless you absolutely can't handle the weight then the 500 is really the way to go.
If you don't already have a second body that would be good to get. Having one with the 500 and 1.4 on it and a second with the 100-400 is great. I usually carry to cameras similar to that setup myself.
|
| sent on July 14, 2012 (14:13)
Thanks for your suggestions. In fact I do have two bodies, two 7Ds actually. Will surely go for the 500f/4 II. Any suggestions on a tripod and head for the 500? I currently have the Manfrotto 190 CX Pro4 carbon tripod with its head MG 54 |
| sent on July 16, 2012 (14:37)
Here is the thing. When I had a 300 2.8 and shot with TCs I thought the IQ was stellar, especially at f8. I was so happy. Then I got the 500 f4. Now you see I realize my mistake. When I process shots for stock agencies I can only use the 300 and TC shots if I was real close and stopped down. The 500 is sharp at f4 and with a TC sharp at 5.6. Now competition. 500 wins. 300 travels better and I would like one if I go on safari again, but the 500 just gets you closer and sharper.
Get a wimberley mkII, do not buy a calumet or similar cheap heads. Jobu are nice too. But the wimberly is class. You will want a good tripod too. 'frotto should be OK. |
| sent on July 19, 2012 (10:05)
Thanks Neilyb,
Your feedback is very valuable, thanks for throwing light on the choices. Appreciate it.
I will go for the 500 f/4
Regards
|
| sent on July 20, 2012 (14:46)
All the best on your new purchase and hope you'll post the results here to see by ourselves.
Cheers,
Abdallah. |
| sent on August 01, 2012 (14:02)
I have chosen the 300 2.8 because it is much easier to carry around than the 500 f4; with the TCs the image quality is still quite good. You can see some samples of the 300 II here:
www.juzaphoto.com/article.php?l=en&article=60
If bulk and weight are not a problem, instead, I'd recommend the 500 f4. |
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