Canon 300 2,8 Is II Vs Canon 500 F.4 Is

[Giovanni Frescura]

Hello

I have a Canon 1D Mark IV and a Canon 7D .
I like action shot expecially of birds and sometimes I go out by plane so I have a Canon 300 2,8 is and I am happy.
Off course sometimes I must use 1x4 and 2x but no so much..; it is useful from the car when the birds are far or from hide..
Now I am looking to buy another long lens but I am not sure about ..could right buy a 500 f.4 (If I wl find used..) or sell my 300 f.2,8 and buy the new ?
Thanks for your help
Ciao
Gio

[Doug Brown]

I'd personally keep the 300 f/2.8 and pick up a used 500 f/4. The new one will be good, but not so good that I'd get rid of a lens that you know and love in order to pay for it.

[Giovanni Frescura]

Thanks Doug.
I think so.
My 300 is good ; a 500 also if not will use it too much could be useful sometimes..and so I will have two option..
I have also 100/400 (and I will not change it with the new...I think ..I love the actual pump metod ). 200/400 is fantasy and also the future price will be fantasy..
The problem in Europe isn't easy to find an used 500 f.4. I think it could be more easy in U.S.A. but there are the shipping and custom fee...

[Roger Clark]

Giovanni,

I agree with Doug. Keep the 300 f/2.8. It is a great lens. I have both 300 f/2.8 and 500 f/4 and both have their uses.

Roger

[Tony Hansford]

I bought a used 500mm in mint condition which lasted 2 weeks before it would not focus anymore. Be extremely careful about buying used long lenses. Buy a new one if you can afford to.

[Blake Cook]

I had some issues with my 300 f/2.8 IS and MkII 2.0Tele. Canon was never able to solve the intermittent misfocus issues but in the process they calibrated the lens and 2x tele. I was blown away by how much sharper it was after service. The difference between 300 and 600mm is very small now and MA is now 0 with all combinations on my 1D4.
Service by Canon is an alternative to the 500 alone.