I have the 500 f4 and find I am not using the 100-400 as much. What would people think about trading the 100-400 for the 70-200 f4? What you lose in flexibility with the 100-400 maybe you gain with higher IQ? I have had great success with the 100-400 once I learned how to use it. Don't know. Comments welcome!
Last edited by John Chardine; 06-03-2008 at 05:15 PM.
Hi John,
The 70-200F4 L is one of the best lenses made by any manufacturer. For me it makes the 70-200/2.8 feel like a brick! The lens is very different that the 70-200/2.8 and the 100-400. It is ligher, faster, sharper and has a much quicker zooming action that both.
Dont forget the 70-200/4 L would is a sharp. light and quick 100-300 with a 1.4X.
Since the cost is so low I would add it to your gear bag instead of replacing anything. I think you will be using your 100-400 a lot less and will be surprised with the 70-200/4 IQ.
I used the Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS for a year. It was so heavy, I stopped using it. I now have the 70-200 F4 IS, and it is a world of difference. With the 1.4, it's still way lighter and easier to use than the 2.8 and the 100-400. I would try the 70-200 for a while before selling my 100-400, just to make sure you don't want it. Good luck.
I have both and use both. I would not get rid of the 100-400 to fast at it has ints uses and I found it very useful in OK shooting bison earlier this year and bears in Alaska last year. The extra reach was helpful.
The 70-200 f/4 with the 1.4x TC is a fast AF and great IQ. WIth a 2x it gets slow and the 100-400mm is on par with it then, maybe better in my experience so if I need 400mm I will use the 100-400.
I too have both 70-200's. I use the F/4 more often than the 2.8. Both are really fine lenses but once you have carried the F/4 and used it for flight shots, it will be difficult to convince yourself to switch to the 2.8. Artie is the person who convinced me to try the F/4.
Since the 70 -200mm f4 IS version is so lite, I notice that a tripod ring is optional with this lens. Any words of wisdom on the need (or no need) for getting the tripod ring? Is it really light enough that I can use the camera body as my tripod mount?
I have both versions of the 70-200's (f/2.8 IS & f/4 IS) and I have the tripod ring for both. However, I have used the f/4 version without the tripod ring and on my 1Ds3 or 1D3 it works well with just the camera supported on the tripod. I prefer to use the tripod ring with it mainly for the easy rotation from horizontal to vertical orientation.
99.99% of the time I use the 70-200/4 handheld so I dont have a use for the tripod collar. The first thing I do when I purchase a lens like the 70-200/2.8, 400,or 300, is to remove the tripod collar and place it back in the Canon Box and it will remain there for the rest of the time I own the lens.
I own all three, but use the 70-200 f/4 almost exclusively. There are times, esp. in Africa or Katmai (for coastal Brown Bear), that the extra rech of the 1-4 is needed... Since you have the 500, I would purchase the 70-200 f/4 IS L and sell the 1-4 if need be. You did note that I used the 70-200 a ton for the gannet flight images... Lastly, it is very attractive on your shoulder with a 40D...
BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.
BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.
Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,
Canon 70-200 f4 L IS USM?
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote