Advice? Changing from Pentax to Canon

As far as birding goes, my Pentax system is a K20D + DA*30 + Sigma 50-500 + Tamron 1.4 TC. I fell in love with birding after I made that decision and Pentax just doesn't make any long lenses, the Sigma always disappoints me, and the future of Pentax is anybody's guess.

I'd love to go to Nikon but their super long lenses cost several $K more than Canons. Also, their new 300s got suprisingly unenthusiastic reviews.

So, here's my plan so far: Canon 7D (I thought about a used 50D, but the 7D promises to have a much better autofocus and tracking system and the 50D won't autofocus with the following). A 100-400 L IS with 1.4 TC: its always nice to have a zoom for BIFS and Zoos and I can get by for a while with this as my sole bird lens. A TBD for wide to tele: the kit lens is an 18-135 IS USM?

Then I'll start unloading my Pentax gear to round out my system with a 2nd body, flash, portriat lens AND with a 300/2.8 or 500/4 or possibly a 400/4 DO depending on how much scratch I can get together.

Did I mention that I am broke?

OK. Hows the plan? Can I do better? Any recommendations on the everyday walkaround lens? Will the 100-400 become 'little used' once I have a much better bird lens?

Thanks in advance.

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Originally Posted by Brad Newby

Also, their new 300s got suprisingly unenthusiastic reviews.

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Example?

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OK. Hows the plan?

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Sounds good !

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Can I do better?

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Sure: get a 1D Mk IV, a 500, 600 and 800, and some large gitzo tripod plus Wimbley head to go with them :)

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Will the 100-400 become 'little used' once I have a much better bird lens?

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I have a feeling it will.

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So, here's my plan so far: Canon 7D (I thought about a used 50D, but the 7D promises to have a much better autofocus and tracking system and the 50D won't autofocus with the following). A 100-400 L IS with 1.4 TC:

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The 7D also will not focus with this combination you will have to go with a 1 series camera to get autofocus at f/8 with Canon. The rest of the plan will work.

The 100-400 serves well if you don't have the $ for the 500. The 300 + 1.4 TC is an alternative which should yield higher quality images. I find that for BIF I almost always use the 100-400 at 400. So if you aren't doing that many zoo visits, the 300 + TC may be a better bet.

Forget the 100-400 with the TC-- it won't autofocus anymore and my guess is you won't use it much with the TC. Since I got a 500, I only use the 100-400 <5% of the time. So will it be "little used"? Yes.

If you can swing a 500 F4 - you won't be sorry.