what combination is best and for birds , anyone has experience with the combination 300mm f28 + nikon D4 or D800 or + canon with the 1d mark 4 or 7D and with extenders .
300mm f2,8 with extenders : canon or nikon
what combination is best and for birds , anyone has experience with the combination 300mm f28 + nikon D4 or D800 or + canon with the 1d mark 4 or 7D and with extenders .
I've never used used Nikon but from reading threads others seem to mention the the 2x converter on nikon really takes a hit on image quality where as with Canon the new Super Teles do great with the 2x.
Also, I'm wondering if you considered the Canon 500 f4 IS II. This is certainly lighter than Nikon and much easier to hand hold. For birds It is really great to have the extra focal length. Using 500, 700 and 1000mm on the 1D4 would have many advantages.
I have and still do, use the Canon 300 2.8 with a Canon 2X tele and get excellent results. On my 40D and 7D, that combination gives me a 960mm f5.6 lens and I am very happy with it.. This setup is actually lighter than my 500 f.4 with a 1.4X tele..
JMHO
Dave
This is a very vague question really? I take it you need help deciding a setup. Do you currently have any camera gear? what system are you on?
The general opinion and I believe the correct one is that Canon will out perform Nikon when using the lens with extenders. The new 2x Nikon is very good on the newer 300mm F2.8 VR II Nikon but the Canon F2.8 L IS MK II ( I own it) and 2x MK III is a fantastic combo. Of the cameras mentioned the Nikon's will give you better Image quality imo but only if the lens and converter combo is put to the task. If it's out of what you've picked there I would go 300mm F2.8 and 1D MK4. I think my own experience you may do better with a 500mm F4 though.
just to be clear.
Canon 300mm MK II is best
Canon 300mm MK I and Nikon 300mm VR II are joint second
Nikon 300mm VR I is last.
Considering the 1D4 vs. the 7D, the 1D4 is superior in AF and providing enough drive to manage super telephoto lenses with extenders, particularly when the f-stop drops to f/8. This would make the 300/f4 a practical alternative that the 7D couldn't handle at all. Another body to consider that will AF at f/8 is the 5D MkIII; however, its lower amperage battery will not drive the big lenses with extenders as well at f/8.
I would prefer a 300mm f2.8 together with 2x , 500mm is out of the question because i want to wailk around with the combo with a monopod. Thanks for the answers.
Your statement makes the assumption that people don't walk around with a 500mm or bigger lens and require tripods. Really I don't think that is a valid assumption.Originally Posted by van bogaert erik
If a person is in good health I see no reason why they can't walk several miles and handhold the version II of the 500mm over a multi hour period. Many times I carry the 600mm around and handhold for hours at a time. I carry it with an over the shoulder strap and it works great. I can easily hike 6 miles this way.
Also, with the new 4 stop IS it is amazingly easy to handhold with relatively slow shutter speeds and the 2X converter and still get nice sharp shots.
But i am also in the first place a bird "watcher" and carry a binoculair and sometimes a scope.
Last edited by van bogaert erik; 11-28-2013 at 01:45 AM. Reason: edit
Sounds like the 300mm would suit your needs better then. Personally if your on Canon or want Canon I'd look at the 400mm F5.6 L for the lightness of it. It doesn't Have IS but you don't often need it even handheld. Or you could consider the Canon 100-400mm or New Nikon 80-400mm VR
If you choose Canon, here's another vote for the Canon 400 5.6, which I used as often or more so than my Canon 500 -- back before I switched to Nikon gear.
Regarding Nikon, the earlier comment about the Nikon 300 2.8 and the Nikon 2X extender 'really takes a hit on image quality' is simply untrue. That's one of those Internet myths that crop up in the Canon vs. Nikon fanboy verbal wars.
I used an earlier iteration of the Nikon 300 2.8 with the 2X and the IQ results were above excellent, though the AF tracking was slightly slower than a prime solo lens. That's always the case, regardless of brand.
Presently, in addition to my Nikon 600mm, I use the latest versions of the Nikon 300 2.8 with the Nikon 2X extender (version 3), and I honestly can't tell the performance or IQ difference from that of my 600mm VR II. A lab may, but I can't.
Nikon designed and engineered the latest 300 2.8 VR with the TC-20E III in tandem as a matched pair. The AF tracking response and image IQ with that combo is superior.
Hi Erik,
stop by in the Wildlife forum. Check out Rachel Hollander or my images. Rachel uses the 300mm f2.8 II & 2x III, I use the 300mm f/2.8 & 2x III. So far we both are happy with the results. Rachel uses it also with 7D, me latest with 1Dx and MK IV!
Ciao Anette
I will give my 2cents worth. I use the Canon 300 2.8 with the 2x, first generation with my Canon MK2n and my beloved Canon 5D. I have used them for Common Loons, a swimming and diving water bird, alligators, sunsets with lighthouses in the far view, I love it. They produce sharp images with handheld or on my Gitzo Tripod with Wimberley 2 head or the Gitzo Monopod and RRS 55. Ashley Cohen makes a nice suggestion as an alternative too.
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