Canon 400 DO vs. 500mm f/4

[Steve Shapiro]

Which lens should I buy. I like the lighter lens (400mm) as may times a mile or two walk is required and at 64 an extra 4 pounds could make a difference, but will I be unhappy with a shorted focal length when shooting some Ohio song birds vs. Florida Herons and Egrets. I will so be using a 1.4 extender.

[LouBuonomo]

If song birds are a primary concern the 500.. and you will most likely have the TC on.

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Steve

Focal length is important for the little songbirds, I know most people use a 600 (not 500) to go after them and now days an 800 would be ideal. Having said that you should give weight a serious consideration. The 400DO with a 7D and converter will give you 800mm!! If in doubt advise to rent the each lens for a couple of days, nothing like trying for yourself.

[Steve Shapiro]

Actually I will not be shooting just songbirds but probably more than what I shoot in Florida. Another consideration is travel. The 400mm DO lens will certainly fit it a camera case or backpack much nicer than a 500mm!!!

[Jeff Cashdollar]

I have the 500MM and am considering the 400DO too. Given your travel mobility and diversity of subjects the 400 might be your man.

Diffacult decision, like Al said rent before you buy is probably best method.

[Alfred Forns]

Steve Artie relies on that lens and puts it to good use, might see some of the bulletin images and a review on an old bulletin !!

[Chris Brennan]

Steve -

I'm one of those crazy idiots that had a 500mm f4 and stepped down to a 400mm DO, and have really not regretted it. If I could have afforded the 500 & the DO, I would have kept both, but the DO suits my style of shooting much better. As Alfred mentions above, the DO + a 1.4x on a 7D, which is what I use, is an amazing combination, and extremely lightweight... easily transportable to almost anywhere.

[arash_hazeghi]

500 without a doubt, you should pick 400 only if you think you cannot handle the 500 due to health conditions. When you add the TC 500 will have better IQ.

[Pao Dolina]

Price difference is negligible between the two. The main difference now becomes weight vs length at similar IQ.

[Clemens Vanderwerf]

The Glass Taxi from Thinktank is an ideal backpack to transport the 500 while on a hike. It also fits the 400 plus body as well.

I like the 500 as it is a super sharp lens, do not have a 400 DO, so no opinion on that one (yet).

[Deborah Harrison]

I had both lenses. In my opinion the 500 was the best and sharpest lens I ever owned. Although heavier it is surprisingly manageable and easy to handle. I would go for the 500.
The best option, as Alfred suggests, is to rent both for a few days then decide.

[Roger Clark]

Steve
Some perspective here that may help you decide. Last year the favorite camera was a 1D Mark III class body. It has 7.2 micron pixels. Now the 7D with 4.3 micron pixels gives you more pixels on your subject. In fact a 500 mm lens on a 1D Mark II will give almost exactly the same pixels on a subject that a 300 mm lens on a 7D will give. The 7D gives you reach, so a 400 mm lens will give you the same pixels on subject as a 670 mm lens would on a 500 mm + 1D Mark III.

If you want to save weight, the 400 is a way to go. If you want to save weight and money, a 300 f/2.8 plus a 7D is a great combo. The 400+1.4x TC = 560 mm, the 300+2x = 600 mm. The 600 mm on the 7D gives the same pixels on subject as 960 mm + 1DIII.

I have a 500 f/4 and a 300 f/2.8. When I want to travel lighter, I use the 300.

Roger

[Steve Shapiro]

Thank you for all the advice everyone!!

[Chris Brennan]

Steve -

Please make sure to tell us what direction you go in...

[Steve Shapiro]

After a great deal of thought I opted for the 400 mm DO lens. With traveling, and the hiking aspect of looking for interesting birds and other wildlife, I decided to go for the lighter less bulky lens. I have received the lens and have just begun to use it. It seems strange not to have a compact lens cap to use with it rather the big "leather boot"

[John Chardine]

Standard practise for the big Canon teles is to buy a "tupperware" lid just the right size to fit over the front of the lens. Not sure what you would need for the 400/DO. Here's an example for the 500:

http://www.classickitchensandmore.co...bber-p-57.html

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Steve,

Let us know what you think, like to get your perspective with and without the 1.4 TC. Agree with John, I like the tupperware lids, easy and light.

[Chris Brennan]

Steve -

Although others may disagree, I've always liked the Don Zeck lens caps. Yes, they're expensive at about $55. each but they're very well made.

[Terry Barnes]

I, too, have the 400 DO and just now have started getting good opts for bird shooting. I wondered if I should trade up to the 500 but not sure if the extra 100mm is worth really worth it since I'm mainly a landscape shooter and just recently dove into opts for larger shore birds. You all say that the 500 is sharper, but heavier…I'm not sure if I should just hang in there with this 400 or move up.
I use the tupperware covers , as mentioned above, and they work well. The lid for the 500 also fits the 400 (lens and hood lids).