Help a newbie selecting new lens...

Hey guys, my first port here...

I have finally decided to try some bird photography and is time to buy me a "new" (used) lens... I know I have a limited budget (3500.00 dollars) considering what is out there, but I would like to buy Canon...

I have been looking the following ones:

400 F2.8 L II ULTRASONIC NON-IS
500 F4.5 L ULTRASONIC NON-IS
300 F2.8 L ULTRASONIC IS

What do you guys think would be the best one? Or do you think with 3500.00 dollars I should go with a different manufacturer?


Thanks a lot


BTW, I have a canon 7D, 70-200 2.8 IS and a Canon 1.4 TC.

Now the important question.

Which Camera are you using?

Canon 7D

Difficult choice, I would stay with a Canon lens. The Canon 300 f/2.8 is suppose to be among their sharpest telephoto lens but not great reach. Good for mammals but not the best for birding IMO, with a 1.4 or 2x TC it will work. I am not keen on Non IS lenses. Realizing that IS not the answer to everything but love the technology at lower shutter speeds and when HHing.

Let's see what others say. Lot's of good advise, you came to the right place.

Thanks for the first post and welcome aboard.

I agree with Jeff--the 300 f2.8 is one of the sharpest, if not the sharpest lens Canon makes. You have a 1.6 crop camera and a 1.4x TC, so you should have pretty good reach.

Also, if you ever move to a 500 IS or 600 IS, that lens will probably stay in your arsenal. And, if you want to sell it, it should move quickly as it is a sought-after lens.

Another vote for the 300/2.8. If you can, check out in advance if you like the image quality with a 2x TC. It should look very good with a 1.4x TC.

Another vote for the 300 f/2.8 BUT at the moment that lens sells for $4500.

http://www.huntsphotoandvideo.com/de...facturer=Canon

I have seen it new for $4,200 and a used one around $3,500.

400/2.8 was good in the film days when there were no high ISO capabilities.
Now it is big and heavy for the focal length.
300/2.8 with converters would be the way to go.

I concur with the 300 2.8 suggestions. It'll work well with the 1.4x TC and will give you an effective reach of 480mm on your 7D. The 500 4.5 is tempting, but I think you'll find it's AF marginal with a 1.4x TC. I you can find a good used 300 2.8, you might later move up to the 500mm f/4L IS, which will work very well with the 7D and 1.4x, yielding an effective 1120mm. If you bought the 300 used, you could either sell it for what you paid or keep it for the other things that it does so well, if you can afford it.

How about the Canon 400mm f/4 IS DO lens?
Over on Keh just now there were several 400mm in your price range...

The KEH site was interesting. Looks like a good place to purchase used equipment. I saw one DO for around $4,600.00

Guys thanks for you advice and I've decided to buy the 500 f/4.0 IS, which means I may have to wait a little longer (Well I have been saving for a year now so a couple of month don't make any difference)

Thanks again,

Fernando

That's a great birding lens and well worth the wait! One of the mistakes I made was not waiting/saving long enough and purchasing the wrong equipment to start with. I purchased two triodes before the Gitzo 3530LS and Gimball II Head. You are making a wise decision IMO!!

I think that 500 f4 is a really good choice.
I have the 400 2.8 set II with a Canon 1.4 extender. At the time I was making my choice the 500 was the 4.5.
I opted for speed over reach. Eventually I would like to switch to the 500 myself.
My 400 is big and heavy but I will make do. :)