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Archive 2015 · Upgrading from 400/5.6 to... ?

  
 
CheshireCat
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Upgrading from 400/5.6 to... ?


I currently use 1Dx + 400/5.6 for birding (mostly small birds).

I love the handholdability, but I usually find the lens too short and need to crop the final image a lot.
I have tried the 1.4x III (=560/8), but I am not happy with the results. I can live with center point AF only, but the image quality is not there, and 560 is still short.

So I would like to upgrade, but still maintain handholdability (average trip duration is 4 hours). I am considering the following:

1) 400/4 DO II + 2x III = 800/8

2A) 500/4 II + 1.4x = 700/5.6

2B) 500/4 II + 2x III = 1000/8

The 500 will give me more reach, but it is considerably heavier and bigger than the 400 DO II. OTOH, I am a bit concerned about the IQ of the 400 DO II with the 2x III, considering I would use it 90% of the time with the extender.
I appreciate comments about all options, especially from those who have "been there, done that"



Feb 01, 2015 at 12:40 AM
Bmetcan
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Upgrading from 400/5.6 to... ?


I've used the version 1 of both the 500 and the 400. For mostly birds, I'd go for the 500. Though the 400 will be easier to carry/handhold, you'll be using mostly maxed out at 800. The 500 + 1.4x will get you close to that with probably better IQ and also give you the option for an additional 200mm with the 2x.


Feb 01, 2015 at 02:12 AM
Chuck Brit
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Upgrading from 400/5.6 to... ?


2B for me. I've used the 2x with the 500 but not handheld. I have a hard time finding the bird in the viewfinder when it's on the tripod.


Feb 01, 2015 at 02:27 AM
ashley138
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Upgrading from 400/5.6 to... ?


If you can afford the 500 vers II you should go for it!
I'd get one if I could - I do own a version 1 and I love it! I use it on a monopod which keeps it at a carry-able weight and I can handhold it for flight shots.

Also, start with the 1.4 TC and then decide if you want to try out the 2x but I bet you'll always end up using the 1.4 more.



Feb 01, 2015 at 04:25 AM
Coltrane
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Upgrading from 400/5.6 to... ?


I've seen some amazing shots from the 2B combination.


Feb 01, 2015 at 08:07 AM
howard
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Upgrading from 400/5.6 to... ?


Another option is the 300 f/2.8 II with TCs. This is less of a drastic change (in terms of bulk and weight) than the other options except the 400 DO.


Feb 01, 2015 at 09:01 AM
Sy Sez
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Upgrading from 400/5.6 to... ?


In spite of the significant improvements to the 400 DO-2; it's doubtful that with a 2X TC it will match the IQ of the 500 F4-2 with a 1.4 TC.

I've seen a very few people in the field hand-holding 500-F4's, but not many.

Leigh



Feb 01, 2015 at 12:49 PM
Imagemaster
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Upgrading from 400/5.6 to... ?


If you can get sharp images with the bare 400, but not with a 1.4x TC, there is something wrong. Your TC may be faulty or you need to MA with it on the 400.

If weight is a big concern, do not buy a 500 without trying one first. I doubt you would be happy with a 2x on the 400 DO II.

Many competent FM'ers are getting great results with the Tamron 150-600. The 100-400 II is also pretty good with a 1.4x TC.




Feb 01, 2015 at 01:44 PM
ebiggs
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Upgrading from 400/5.6 to... ?


It's going to be tough to beat the EF 400mm f5.6. It is a very good lens. If it had IS, it would be a great lens.


Feb 01, 2015 at 04:02 PM
PetKal
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Upgrading from 400/5.6 to... ?


Another good option is 500 f/4.5L. It works with 1.4xTC reasonably well on f/8 AF cameras, and it weighs 3 kg. Imagemaster might have one for sale in about 6 weeks.


Feb 01, 2015 at 04:07 PM
Jefferson
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Upgrading from 400/5.6 to... ?


PetKal wrote:
Another good option is 500 f/4.5L. It works with 1.4xTC reasonably well on f/8 AF cameras, and it weighs 3 kg. Imagemaster might have one for sale in about 6 weeks.



… If I decided to buy ImageMasters 500 f/4.5 (in 6 weeks), and the ImageMaster has me on his Active Hide Me list …

How would that work … ? ..


Jefferson …



Feb 01, 2015 at 04:20 PM
arbitrage
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Upgrading from 400/5.6 to... ?


Jefferson wrote:
… If I decided to buy ImageMasters 500 f/4.5 (in 6 weeks), and the ImageMaster has me on his Active Hide Me list …

How would that work … ? ..

Jefferson …


You'd have to get one of the non-hidden members to quote you like this

To the OP: If you can handle the weight I'd go with the 500II with both TCs. Such a versatile setup.

Edited on Feb 01, 2015 at 04:46 PM · View previous versions



Feb 01, 2015 at 04:44 PM
Fred Meebley
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Upgrading from 400/5.6 to... ?


Jefferson wrote:
and the ImageMaster has me on his Active Hide Me list …

How would that work … ? ..

Jefferson …


Not sure, but for most people, it's the other way around.



Feb 01, 2015 at 04:45 PM
Thorsten
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Upgrading from 400/5.6 to... ?


Why not go from your 1Dx to the 7D2. That will give you a lot more reach with that same 400mm. Then to top it off, replace the 400/5.6 with the 100-400II. Same 400mm of course, but the new zoom takes the TC 1.4 much better. Do both, and you get a combined reach of about 2x, or the same field of view as an 800mm lens on your 1Dx. But the weight is still the same as your current combo, not to mention it costs much less than a 500 or 600mm lens.


Feb 01, 2015 at 04:59 PM
PetKal
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Upgrading from 400/5.6 to... ?


Jefferson wrote:
… If I decided to buy ImageMasters 500 f/4.5 (in 6 weeks), and the ImageMaster has me on his Active Hide Me list …

How would that work … ? ..

Jefferson …


Gee, Jefferson, what have you done to earn such distinction
At any rate, you could buy the lens thru a proxy......since I do not ever seem to be on Markle's "hide me " list, I could do it for you.



Feb 01, 2015 at 05:17 PM
helimat
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Upgrading from 400/5.6 to... ?


PetKal wrote:
Another good option is 500 f/4.5L. It works with 1.4xTC reasonably well on f/8 AF cameras, and it weighs 3 kg. Imagemaster might have one for sale in about 6 weeks.


Did you have a 500/4.5L on Fleabay recently by chance Peter?



Feb 01, 2015 at 05:26 PM
PetKal
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Upgrading from 400/5.6 to... ?


CheshireCat wrote:
I currently use 1Dx + 400/5.6 for birding (mostly small birds).

OTOH, I am a bit concerned about the IQ of the 400 DO II with the 2x III, considering I would use it 90% of the time with the extender.



If you can make do with the reach of 400 f/5.6 for small birds now, what would make you use 400 DO + 2xTC 90% of the time in the future ?

At any rate, if your shooting is becoming FL upward driven, then 500 II is a more suitable option for you. Although 500 II is significantly heavier than 400 DO, most 500 II owners find the lens to be manageable handheld in moderation. 500 II + 1.4xTC MkIII is really a well performing long combo, both IQ wise and AF wise.



Feb 01, 2015 at 05:30 PM
PetKal
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Upgrading from 400/5.6 to... ?


helimat wrote:
Did you have a 500/4.5L on Fleabay recently by chance Peter?


No, Mat, not me......I used to have one several years ago, but that's gone to an FM member out west.



Feb 01, 2015 at 05:32 PM
jcolwell
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Upgrading from 400/5.6 to... ?


PetKal wrote:
...I used to have one several years ago, but that's gone to an FM member out west.


'out west' - you mean, like Guelph?




Feb 01, 2015 at 05:47 PM
jcolwell
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Upgrading from 400/5.6 to... ?


PetKal wrote:
Another good option is 500 f/4.5L. It works with 1.4xTC reasonably well on f/8 AF cameras, and it weighs 3 kg. Imagemaster might have one for sale in about 6 weeks.

Jefferson wrote:
… If I decided to buy ImageMasters 500 f/4.5 (in 6 weeks), and the ImageMaster has me on his Active Hide Me list …

How would that work … ? ..

Jefferson …


An even greater challenge is, how can we get Tony to 'like' your post?



Feb 01, 2015 at 05:48 PM
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