70-200 IS w/ 2X II or 100-400 for Alaska? 5DII or 1DIIN?

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crteach
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p.1 #1 · 70-200 IS w/ 2X II or 100-400 for Alaska? 5DII or 1DIIN?

I've done some searching for threads about what to take for Alaska and it appears that more reach can be good. However, we're doing a cruise and with my equipment and where I'm going I predict I won't need anything longer than 400. Question is, would I rather have the 70-200 with a 2X extender or the 100-400? I only have room for one white lens and one camera body plus I'll take the 16-35 and maybe one other lens. I'm inclined to go with the 70-200 since it can also be a walk-around lens. We're just doing the typical cruise with land excursions.....none of the helicopter rides (too pricey for me!).

I'm also more inclined to take the 5DII since I don't think I'll do much in terms of eagles/other birds where I would need the better tracking the 1DIIN would provide. The 40D I have would give me a little more reach, but I've got so many more pixels with the 5DII. Anything else to consider?

Jul 29, 2012 at 08:19 PM

dwweiche
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p.1 #2 · 70-200 IS w/ 2X II or 100-400 for Alaska? 5DII or 1DIIN?

If you are not primarily going after wildlife or other long reach activities, I think you are right about the 70-200 + extender. The f/2.8 could also come in handy for lower light shooting on the ship or shore.

Jul 30, 2012 at 03:49 AM

jasonpatrick
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p.1 #3 · 70-200 IS w/ 2X II or 100-400 for Alaska? 5DII or 1DIIN?

I think The extra reach of the 100-400 will come in handy. The 100-400 is going to have better IQ at 400, you don't need to mess with extenders and you don't give up much on the wide end. I'd also pick the 5dII over the 1d body.

Jul 30, 2012 at 04:03 AM

dalite
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p.1 #4 · 70-200 IS w/ 2X II or 100-400 for Alaska? 5DII or 1DIIN?

Take the 70-200 + 2x. If you take the 100-400 you will have a fairly large gap in focal length between the 16-35mm and the 100-400mm. Also, will you be ashore for shore excursions? If most of your time will be aboard the cruise ship, then definitely take the first choice. That, plus the 2x should give you enough reach for whales and other marine life from aboard ship.

Jul 30, 2012 at 05:03 AM

gdanmitchell
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p.1 #5 · 70-200 IS w/ 2X II or 100-400 for Alaska? 5DII or 1DIIN?

I'd go for the 100-400. Moving from 70-200 to the extended range with the TC requires a bit of juggling, while the 100-400 simply covers the whole range immediately. It also packs fairly small due to the extending zoom design.

Dan

Jul 30, 2012 at 06:16 AM

CW100
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p.1 #6 · 70-200 IS w/ 2X II or 100-400 for Alaska? 5DII or 1DIIN?

jasonpatrick wrote:
I think The extra reach of the 100-400 will come in handy. The 100-400 is going to have better IQ at 400, you don't need to mess with extenders and you don't give up much on the wide end. I'd also pick the 5dII over the 1d body.

I agree, the 100-400 is better at 400mm but you might use the 70-200 more depending the cruise trips

Jul 30, 2012 at 11:09 AM

dfresh
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p.1 #7 · 70-200 IS w/ 2X II or 100-400 for Alaska? 5DII or 1DIIN?

I took an Alaskan cruise in June and definitely would have loved to have the 100-400L with me. I used my 17-40L and 400/5.6 about equally, but seeing a lot of wildlife made the 400mm FL very useful many times. I doubt you will miss much by giving up the 70-99mm FLs.

Also, I would reconsider the helicopter ride- we had counted it out due to price also but ended up splurging and it was the highlight of the trip. Its much cheaper if you book it at the port of call directly at a vendor than through the cruiseship.

Jul 30, 2012 at 12:01 PM

WestFalcon
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p.1 #8 · 70-200 IS w/ 2X II or 100-400 for Alaska? 5DII or 1DIIN?

I'm changing the subject a bit but I just got back from visiting my brother in Anchorageand I used the new 70-300L lens for many of my shots....It is lighter than either lens you are consdering. I would probaly go with the 100-400 if u have no other option. A 17-40 would be a good lens to supplement this or the 24-105 IS would be great too. Took the eagle picture in Homer.

Edited on Jul 30, 2012 at 12:24 PM · View previous versions

Jul 30, 2012 at 12:19 PM

Sneakyracer
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p.1 #9 · 70-200 IS w/ 2X II or 100-400 for Alaska? 5DII or 1DIIN?

Take the 100-400mm. The optical quality and AF performance is quite a bit downgraded with the 2x.

Jul 30, 2012 at 12:21 PM

sperraglia
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p.1 #10 · 70-200 IS w/ 2X II or 100-400 for Alaska? 5DII or 1DIIN?

My 100-400 is sharper at 400mm than my 70-200 ii with a 2xiii and I think you will get more use out of the longer end with wildlife. Years ago I took an alaskan cruise before I had the new 70-200 and I used my 100-400 a lot at the long end and usually ended up wishing for more.

Jul 30, 2012 at 12:25 PM

crteach
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p.1 #11 · 70-200 IS w/ 2X II or 100-400 for Alaska? 5DII or 1DIIN?

Guess I could take the 16-35, 24-105, and 100-400! I find I don't care for the 24-105, though. Hmmmmm....decisions, decisions!

Jul 30, 2012 at 12:59 PM

jasonpatrick
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p.1 #12 · 70-200 IS w/ 2X II or 100-400 for Alaska? 5DII or 1DIIN?

Bring a 50mm prime to span the gap between 30mm and 100. Even the nifty fifty will be fine.

Jul 30, 2012 at 03:12 PM

Jim McCann
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p.1 #13 · 70-200 IS w/ 2X II or 100-400 for Alaska? 5DII or 1DIIN?

Well, if it means anything at all, I have a 7D with a 100-400 attached to it with me all of the time here in Alaska. Sits next to me in the Jeep, and in the truck, and most of the time it works out okay. Sure, I also often carry along a 5DIII with either a 24-105, or a 16-35, and sometimes I must haul the 500 around, but the 100-400 does the job pretty well...most of the time.

Enjoy your adventure!

Jim

Jul 30, 2012 at 05:28 PM

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