Canon 400mm

[Brian Kersey]

Hello,

I have a Canon 100-400mmm and I was thinking of selling it and switching to a 400 f5.6 and 70-200 f/4 combo.(or something similar). I would like some testimony of people who could help me with my dilemma. My big trip this year is to the West Virginia mountains and to Yosemite and I am wondering if the combo I was thinking of could adequately replace the 100-400. I just want some input to help me with my decision, Thank you all.

Brian Kersey

[Ed Vatza]

I've never used the 100-400 but I do have the 400mm f/5.6L in my kit and like it a lot. Would I prefer a 500mm f/4L IS? Sure, can you give me $5500?

OK on a serious note, keep in mind that the 400 5.6 does not have IS. I use it on a tripod about 90% of the time. I find I have to really get the shutter speed up to feel comfortable using the lens handheld. Other than that I like the lens a lot. And I know a lot of folks use it for in-flight images.

And for what it is worth, I also have the 70-200 f/2.8 IS which complements the 400 nicely.

Now we visited the Central California coast and Yosemite back in July. I used the 400 quite a lot along the coast to photograph shore birds, sea birds as well as some song birds and such. When we got to Yosemite, we were so taken with landscapes that I had a Sigma 10-20 or Canon 28-135 on the camera probably 90% of the time. (That was before I bought the 24-70 f/2.8L and 70-200 f/2.8L to replace the 28-135 and 70-300 lenses.)

Hope this helps.

[Maxis Gamez]

If you don't need the zoom go with the 400 f/5.6 L. That's the lens I use. Check out my website, 90% of the avian gallery are made with the 400.

The sharpens of the lens is simple outstanding, even wide open.

[Brian Kersey]

The thing is, I'm not sure if I will end up missing the zoom or not. Did anyone make the switch out there?

[Maxis Gamez]

The thing is, I'm not sure if I will end up missing the zoom or not. Did anyone make the switch out there?


Decision, decisions...! :)

[Gautam Biswas]

The thing is, I'm not sure if I will end up missing the zoom or not. Did anyone make the switch out there?
Brian, I did. I had a 100-400 L and the quality was at times doubtful. I was recommended to change to the 400mm f5.6L which I did and must say am very happy with it. In any case most of my wildlife shots were at 400mm and it is a big lense in the 100-200mm range ( I now use a 70-200 f4 LIS). As has been said before, if you handhold, keep the shutter speed above 1/500 or else use a tripod or bean-bag. It focuses fast and the results are good.
I would have hoped Canon would come out with a 200-400 f4 L IS zoom with the sharpness of the 400mm.

[Brian Kersey]

Thanks for all your help guys. Im pretty sure about the prime and 70-200. Thanks

Brian Kersey

[Walt Anderson]

I am lucky enough to have both setups you are considering. Ninety percent of the time I will choose versatility over ultimate sharpness. The single lens will also get me more photographs in most situations. Of course if you have two camera bodies the shorter zoom and 400 become an attractive choice with less drawbacks.
Also, if you have noticed a change in sharpness recently, send the lens to Canon for a clean and adjust. It will be much cheaper than changing lenses.

Walt Anderson
Visual Echoes Inc.

[Jim Neiger]

Brian,

There is another thread here: http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2820 That has lots of good info about the two lenses in question.