Which lense for close wildlife

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jasonpatrick
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p.2 #1 · Which lense for close wildlife

big country wrote:
100-400 is a great lens in my opinion.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Camera: Canon EOS-1D X
Exposure Time: 0.0012s (1/800)
Aperture: f/5
ISO: 6400
Focal Length: 180mm

180mm? That's too close for me

Feb 13, 2013 at 05:07 PM

Sjjindra
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p.2 #2 · Which lense for close wildlife

I have the 400 5.6 and a 70-200 2.8 and the 1.4X and 2X VIII TCs, but when I go out for birds and critters, it is almost always the 100-400 that I grab. The flexibility to zoom in to 400 for a few shots then to quickly zoom out to 100-200 to allow some of the surroundings in a shot is great. I'll usually throw the little pancake 40 in my pocket too.

My vote is for the 100-400 and sell or keep the 400.

Steve

Feb 13, 2013 at 05:58 PM

gasrocks
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p.2 #3 · Which lense for close wildlife

I have the 500/4 and had the 400/5.6. The 400 is a wonderful lens, no doubt but I never used it after gettinng the 500. Given the $, why not the new Sigma 120-300/2.8 OS? I am not a fan of the Canon 100-400.

Feb 13, 2013 at 07:13 PM

Pixel Perfect
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p.2 #4 · Which lense for close wildlife

lowa2 wrote:
Pixel Perfect wrote:
lowa2 wrote:
300/4 IS has great mfd and reportedly takes a 1.4 very well.

Yes, but with a 1.4x it's IQ is not as good as the 100-400L and AF is worse especially on non 1 series cameras

Thanks for that. Up to now, I've only heard good reports.

Charles

Don't get me wrong IQ of the 300 f/4IS + 1.4x is good, but it needs to be stopped down a little for best results, but 100-400L is fine wide open and takes a 1.4x remarkably well, whereas a 300 f/4L IS + 2x is not a pretty sight at all.

Feb 14, 2013 at 02:39 AM

gasrocks
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p.2 #5 · Which lense for close wildlife

My experience was that the 100-400 was not fine wide open and did not take a 1.4x TC well at all.

Feb 14, 2013 at 02:59 PM

galenapass
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p.2 #6 · Which lense for close wildlife

gasrocks wrote:
My experience was that the 100-400 was not fine wide open and did not take a 1.4x TC well at all.

That was my experience as well, but there are a lot of FM'rs that have posted great results wide open with this lens. If internet lore is to be believed, there was a lot a variability in early batches of this lens. If it was me, I'd only buy a new, or a newer used version.

Feb 14, 2013 at 03:22 PM

KF
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p.2 #7 · Which lense for close wildlife

drobertfranz wrote:
70-300mm L is what I'd go with!

+1

Feb 14, 2013 at 04:18 PM

Older Fossil
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p.2 #8 · Which lense for close wildlife

I have both a 100-400mm and a 400mm f/5.6. I tend to use the 100-400 most because of its versatility. But the 400 is definitely sharper wide open than the 100-400 is at 400mm, and the 400 autofocus is quicker. I'll opt for the 400 for BIF when the light is good and I'm sure I'll be focal length limited.

Art

Feb 14, 2013 at 06:01 PM

dbehrens
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p.2 #9 · Which lense for close wildlife

Another vote for the 100-400. My logic with examples are explained here. I've had about 13 years of enjoyment using this lens.
Dave

Feb 14, 2013 at 06:17 PM

normsmith
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p.2 #10 · Which lense for close wildlife

drobertfranz wrote:
70-300mm L is what I'd go with!

Plus 1^ It is an excellent lens to go with what you have. I have both the 100-400 and the 70-300 and find myself carrying the 70-300 and my 500 f4 the majority of the time.
Norm

Feb 14, 2013 at 09:15 PM

Pixel Perfect
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p.2 #11 · Which lense for close wildlife

gasrocks wrote:
My experience was that the 100-400 was not fine wide open and did not take a 1.4x TC well at all.

Sounds like you have a rare dud.

Mine was as good as my 400 f/5.6L wide open @ 400mm, or so close as to not make a difference and it's still excellent wide open with the 1.4x TC attached. I sold the 400 f/5.6L, but it does have significantly faster AF than the zoom for action work.

Feb 14, 2013 at 09:22 PM

mfreardon
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p.2 #12 · Which lense for close wildlife

jasonpatrick wrote:
big country wrote:
100-400 is a great lens in my opinion.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Camera: Canon EOS-1D X
Exposure Time: 0.0012s (1/800)
Aperture: f/5
ISO: 6400
Focal Length: 180mm

180mm? That's too close for me

Too close for me as well. Is that bear charging you?

Feb 14, 2013 at 09:28 PM

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