need advise on zoom

[Loic Carbonnier]

I can't decide between the Canon 70-200f2.8L or the new 70-300f4L for my next purchase
I am using an old 80-200f2,8L, 500f4 and 24-70f2.8L
Any advise?
I mainly shoot birds and wildlife
Thanks

[Daniel Cadieux]

Artie's been raving about the 70-200 f/2.8 II in his latest blog entry...I'd check it out. If you are going to put TCs on it the larger aperture is a plus. If you don't have TCs you could take alokk at the 100-400 as you'd have less of a gap to fill between 200 and 500mms.

[Andrew Merwin]

I agree with Daniel on this. Also, it is rumored that Canon is coming out with a new 100-400. You may want to wait a few months before choosing a new lens.

[Robert Amoruso]

I agree with Daniel on this. Also, it is rumored that Canon is coming out with a new 100-400. You may want to wait a few months before choosing a new lens.


Well I like this rumor. An area sorely lacking for Canon.

[David Stephens]

Are you using your current 70-200mm f/2.8 with a 2x TC? Given your line-up, including the 500mm f/4, I suspect not. I assume that you have a crop-body since you're shooting birds. I carry my 500mm f/4L IS on my tripod, mounted on my 7D and the 70-200mm f/4L IS on my 5D MkII with and w/o the 1.4x TC, depending on what I think I might see. I used to have a 400mm, but don't miss it now that I've got the 500mm f/4. (I keep a wide-angle in a vest pocket, in case I need it).

I think that the 70-200mm f/2.8 makes sense for someone not owning a 400mm or 500mm, so that you can use the 2x TC, but with the 500mm over your shoulder, you won't be wishing for a 2x TC for your 70-200mm.

[Roger Clark]

I assume that you have a crop-body since you're shooting birds.

???? I don't see how this follows from photographing birds.



I carry my 500mm f/4L IS on my tripod, mounted on my 7D and the 70-200mm f/4L IS on my 5D MkII with and w/o the 1.4x TC, depending on what I think I might see. I used to have a 400mm, but don't miss it now that I've got the 500mm f/4. (I keep a wide-angle in a vest pocket, in case I need it).

I think that the 70-200mm f/2.8 makes sense for someone not owning a 400mm or 500mm, so that you can use the 2x TC, but with the 500mm over your shoulder, you won't be wishing for a 2x TC for your 70-200mm.

I agree. Another alternative is a 300 f/2.8. It works very will with a 2x TC when needed, and even stacked 2x + 1.4x TCs (840mm f/8 and the camera only see f/5.6 so still AFs) and then leave the 500 home and save weight. And of course a 1D body would still AF at f/8.
I will do just that and leave my 500 at home and take my 300 f/2.8 on my next Tanzanian safari.

Roger

[David Stephens]

???? I don't see how this follows from photographing birds.


Wanna bet Rog? Just kidding.

I also looked at his lens list. People using full-frame bodies for birds tend to own the longer lenses than his.

[Roger Clark]

Wanna bet Rog? Just kidding.

I also looked at his lens list. People using full-frame bodies for birds tend to own the longer lenses than his.

Often I find there is a misunderstanding that crop sensors give more telephoto reach on subjects such as distant birds. It is a myth. The controlling factor is pixel pitch not crop factor.

For example, compare a 30D (1.6x crop) with a 5D Mark II (full frame). Say that one uses a 500 mm lens on both, and a bird fits inside both frames. Which camera delivers more pixels on the subject?

Answer: Neither, they both deliver the same numbers of pixels on the subject.

Roger

[David Stephens]

Often I find there is a misunderstanding that crop sensors give more telephoto reach on subjects such as distant birds. It is a myth. The controlling factor is pixel pitch not crop factor.

For example, compare a 30D (1.6x crop) with a 5D Mark II (full frame). Say that one uses a 500 mm lens on both, and a bird fits inside both frames. Which camera delivers more pixels on the subject?

Answer: Neither, they both deliver the same numbers of pixels on the subject.


Agreed; however, there are real reasons to use a crop sensor and, as you point out, there are no disadvantages, except, perhaps, relatively poorer high-ISO performance.

I've got the 7D and the 5D MkII. I find it much easier to track BIF with the 7D because of the larger subject size in the viewfinder. Also, in the case of my particular bodies, the 7D has a very useful burst rate of 8-fps.

I wish the OP would tell us which body he uses.

[Loic Carbonnier]

Agreed; however, there are real reasons to use a crop sensor and, as you point out, there are no disadvantages, except, perhaps, relatively poorer high-ISO performance.

I've got the 7D and the 5D MkII. I find it much easier to track BIF with the 7D because of the larger subject size in the viewfinder. Also, in the case of my particular bodies, the 7D has a very useful burst rate of 8-fps.

I wish the OP would tell us which body he uses.

I use a 7d and also have the old 5d, I have the old 80-200F2.8L not the 70-200
Do you guys think the 70-200F4 will be good enough knowing ISO can be pushed a bit in low light condition

[Roger Clark]

I use a 7d and also have the old 5d, I have the old 80-200F2.8L not the 70-200
Do you guys think the 70-200F4 will be good enough knowing ISO can be pushed a bit in low light condition

Yes, I have the 70-200 f/4 and it is a very good lens, always in my bag.

Roger

[David Stephens]

I use a 7d and also have the old 5d, I have the old 80-200F2.8L not the 70-200
Do you guys think the 70-200F4 will be good enough knowing ISO can be pushed a bit in low light condition

Absolutely with the 5D MkII, which has exceptional high-ISO performance. From what I've read and seen, the 5D is as good or almost. The 7D isn't quite in the same league for high-ISO, but it's very good. The reason to go with an f/2.8 is if you plan to use the 2x TC. The f/4 with the 1.4x TC is very nice and reasonably fast to focus.

The compactness of the 70-200mm f/4 makes it VERY attractive to carry around my neck when I've got the 500mm on my tripod. In contrast, the f/2.8 can be a load; however, I am now seriously considering the 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II in combination with the 2x TC-II. That's a **** of a versatile combination, apparently with great IQ. I can't afford it now, but I'll be thinking about it for the future. The concern for me is carrying TWO heavy lenses. If the 70-200mm f/2.8 were the primary lens, then I'd certainly be all right with the weight issue. Carrying that AND the 500mm is another matter.

[Roger Clark]

I agree with Dave. I also have a 500 f/4 70-200 f/4, 5DII (and 1D4). I'm not sure the 70-200 f/2.8 would fit in my backpack with the 500, 2 bodies, shorter lenses and misc stuff. I would need a larger backpack, but at present it is just barely airline carry-on legal.

Roger