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Archive 2015 · Canon 300/2.8 II + 2XIII vs Canon 500/4 I AF / IQ comparison ?

  
 
riokid
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Canon 300/2.8 II + 2XIII vs Canon 500/4 I AF / IQ comparison ?


Hello folks,

Just a quick question for members who have ACTUAL experience to share.

I am itching to upgrade my Canon 300/2.8 Mk I and seriously considering trading up to the Canon 500/4 Mk I (yes NOT the Mk II).

I know it is not a level playing field but I was wondering how the 500/4 Mk I would compare with the 300/2.8 Mk II + 2XIII combo? How does the IQ and AF speed compare?

My main area of interest is birding and will use the lens mainly with a 7DII to supplement the 100-400 Mk II

Thank you in advance

dan

Edited on Mar 08, 2015 at 10:14 AM · View previous versions



Mar 08, 2015 at 09:47 AM
EB-1
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Canon 300/2.8 II + 2XIII vs Canon 500/4 I AF / IQ comparison ?


The 500 is on Mark six already

AF speed drops with a 2x TC, even on the new models. I would really not consider a 2x the way to shoot all day. It's something to add reach when there are no other options. OTOH, a 1.4x is good enough to be useable more frequently. About ten years ago I went from the 300/2.8 IS to the 500/4 IS and used the 300/2.8 IS exactly one time since. I will never use it again.

Also consider the 400/4 DO II if size/weight is an issue. It makes a great 400 and I suspect it is pretty decent as a 560/5.6 lens too.

EBH



Mar 08, 2015 at 10:11 AM
riokid
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Canon 300/2.8 II + 2XIII vs Canon 500/4 I AF / IQ comparison ?


EB-1

This version thingy confuses the hell out of me

Thank you for sharing your observations.

I gave up my original version 500/4L about 4 years ago and misses it terribly, but somewhat concerned that it is starting to look heavy as I get older.

I am still on the fence about the 400 DO II and hoping to see more real world reviews and a price adjustment so I do not have to sell a kidney to upgrade.

Cheers

dan

EB-1 wrote:
The 500 is on Mark six already

AF speed drops with a 2x TC, even on the new models. I would really not consider a 2x the way to shoot all day. It's something to add reach when there are no other options. OTOH, a 1.4x is good enough to be useable more frequently. About ten years ago I went from the 300/2.8 IS to the 500/4 IS and used the 300/2.8 IS exactly one time since. I will never use it again.

Also consider the 400/4 DO II if size/weight is an issue. It makes a great 400 and I suspect
...Show more




Mar 08, 2015 at 10:24 AM
tshore
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Canon 300/2.8 II + 2XIII vs Canon 500/4 I AF / IQ comparison ?


I just made the upgrade you are considering. I have been shooting a 300 2.8is v1 with a 2x vii. My "new" 500 v1 will be on its way to me next week, along with a 1d iv body to replace my 6D. I'll let you know how it goes....


Mar 08, 2015 at 10:41 AM
tshore
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Canon 300/2.8 II + 2XIII vs Canon 500/4 I AF / IQ comparison ?


Hi Riokid, I just realized you were the poster here, and you're the seller to me of the 1d iv! Small world.


Mar 08, 2015 at 10:46 AM
EB-1
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Canon 300/2.8 II + 2XIII vs Canon 500/4 I AF / IQ comparison ?


tshore wrote:
I just made the upgrade you are considering. I have been shooting a 300 2.8is v1 with a 2x vii. My "new" 500 v1 will be on its way to me next week, along with a 1d iv body to replace my 6D. I'll let you know how it goes....


Make sure you have a 1.4x TC for the 500/4 IS to have extra reach when needed.

EBH



Mar 08, 2015 at 10:47 AM
lowa2
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Canon 300/2.8 II + 2XIII vs Canon 500/4 I AF / IQ comparison ?


The 300IS + 2X TC is no slouch when it comes to IQ. It resolves quite well even on crop bodies. The AF on the other hand suffers quite a bit for anything that is fast moving. I used it for years on my 7D and had no issues when shooting small static birds. Shooting moving birds is a completely different story. I was never quite happy with it there.

The 500 on the other hand works quite well with the 1.4x and offers more reach.



Mar 08, 2015 at 10:52 AM
riokid
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Canon 300/2.8 II + 2XIII vs Canon 500/4 I AF / IQ comparison ?


Hi Tim,

Your camera will be riding the FedEx mule tomorrow

Best regards.

dan

tshore wrote:
Hi Riokid, I just realized you were the poster here, and you're the seller to me of the 1d iv! Small world.





Mar 08, 2015 at 10:54 AM
onegreatcity
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Canon 300/2.8 II + 2XIII vs Canon 500/4 I AF / IQ comparison ?


lowa2 wrote:
The 300IS + 2X TC is no slouch when it comes to IQ. It resolves quite well even on crop bodies. The AF on the other hand suffers quite a bit for anything that is fast moving. I used it for years on my 7D and had no issues when shooting small static birds. Shooting moving birds is a completely different story. I was never quite happy with it there.

The 500 on the other hand works quite well with the 1.4x and offers more reach.


This exactly. I was pleased with the IQ of the 300 and 2x but much prefer the 500 for things on the move. I sold my 300 to fund the 500 V1




Mar 08, 2015 at 11:50 AM
big country
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Canon 300/2.8 II + 2XIII vs Canon 500/4 I AF / IQ comparison ?


If you leave the 2x on the 300mm most of the time, just get the 500. faster AF.




Mar 08, 2015 at 11:53 AM
jasonpatrick
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Canon 300/2.8 II + 2XIII vs Canon 500/4 I AF / IQ comparison ?


I used a 300mm f/2.8 version 1 with extenders quite a bit, then upgraded to a 500mm f/4 IS, then went back to the 300 and extenders, but upgraded the 300 to the ver. 2. For your uses, the ver. II is a great upgrade from the 1. Substantially faster AF with newer bodies and extenders. Very slightly better IQ and a bit lighter too.

The bare 500 has better IQ than the 300mm f/2.8 IS II and the 2x III extender. The 300mm with the 1.4 extender had similar or better IQ than the bare 500mm f/4. You're really splitting hairs here though. The AF with the 300mm II and 2x III extender is excellent in daylight. It starts to suffer when the light fades. You would be hard pressed to tell the difference between that combo and the 500mm f/4 IS bare in normal birding conditions.



Mar 08, 2015 at 12:39 PM
riokid
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Canon 300/2.8 II + 2XIII vs Canon 500/4 I AF / IQ comparison ?


Hi Jason,

Your reply is very informative and is just the kind of information I am looking for

Thank you.

dan

jasonpatrick wrote:
I used a 300mm f/2.8 version 1 with extenders quite a bit, then upgraded to a 500mm f/4 IS, then went back to the 300 and extenders, but upgraded the 300 to the ver. 2. For your uses, the ver. II is a great upgrade from the 1. Substantially faster AF with newer bodies and extenders. Very slightly better IQ and a bit lighter too.

The bare 500 has better IQ than the 300mm f/2.8 IS II and the 2x III extender. The 300mm with the 1.4 extender had similar or better IQ than the bare 500mm f/4. You're really
...Show more




Mar 08, 2015 at 12:48 PM
jasonpatrick
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Canon 300/2.8 II + 2XIII vs Canon 500/4 I AF / IQ comparison ?


One thing to keep in mind is that the mk III teleconverters will have much faster AF when combined with mk II lenses and more current cameras. The 7D won't be able to take advantage of that like the 7D2 will.


Mar 08, 2015 at 05:03 PM
thedutt
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Canon 300/2.8 II + 2XIII vs Canon 500/4 I AF / IQ comparison ?


I have the 500 V2 & 300 V1 that I use with 1.4x & 2x. For large birds and static subjects, the AF on 300 is adequate, and IQ wise both are plenty sharp. Personally I would keep the 300 f2.8 + TCs vs 500 V1 given the portability & lighter weight of the 300.



Mar 08, 2015 at 05:46 PM
CalvinBird
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Canon 300/2.8 II + 2XIII vs Canon 500/4 I AF / IQ comparison ?


I have the 300 v2 with 1.4x and 2x III extender now, and had 500 v1 several years ago. 300 v2 with extender produces very good IQ, even with 2x III, but when considering AF speed, I will not use 2x for BIF, it's much slower than 500 v1 bare lens. The reason I switch from 500 to 300 was the weight (and my age), but since I got my 100-400 II recently, I am considering to switch from 300 to 400 DO v2 or 500 v2, though sometimes I may need F2.8 in low light condition.


Mar 08, 2015 at 07:48 PM
Schlotkins
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Canon 300/2.8 II + 2XIII vs Canon 500/4 I AF / IQ comparison ?


I used the original 300 2.8 is on a 1dmk2. The iq with the 2x was good but the af was frustrating on anything moving. The 500 bare will destroy it in af speed.

With that said, i am considering a moving from my 5d3 to the 7d2 and the 500 ver 1 to the 400 do ii.
Chris



Mar 08, 2015 at 09:32 PM
Tapeman
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Canon 300/2.8 II + 2XIII vs Canon 500/4 I AF / IQ comparison ?


When I owned the 300, I almost always had a converter on it, quite often the 2X.
Performance was acceptable but required good light and AF was slow.

For what I shoot my 500 seldom sees the 2X and then usually on a pod.(Quite good.)

AF is much better with the 1.4X and by far the better combination for BIFs.



Mar 08, 2015 at 10:03 PM
jaredmizanin
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Canon 300/2.8 II + 2XIII vs Canon 500/4 I AF / IQ comparison ?


Only have experience with the 500/4, but the rule of thumb goes something like, "get the lens with the native focal length you are looking for instead of relying on teleconverters to get you there." Since you have a 100-400 II, why go shorter than 400?. If weight is an issue and the 500/4 II is too expensive, perhaps see if you can snag a deal on an old 500/4.5. Sure there may be problems should something fail you, but if it can be had at a steal it may still be worth quite a bit in parts?


Mar 09, 2015 at 03:50 AM
Invertalon
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Canon 300/2.8 II + 2XIII vs Canon 500/4 I AF / IQ comparison ?


I personally didn't care for the 300 II + 2x III... It can be sharp, yes... But the AF becomes too slow/inaccurate for me to use with what I shoot. At great distances, I was never really happy with the IQ.

The bare lens and 1.4x III on the other hand, amazing.



Mar 09, 2015 at 06:26 AM
riokid
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Canon 300/2.8 II + 2XIII vs Canon 500/4 I AF / IQ comparison ?


As I stated in the original post, the question was: How does the IQ and AF speed compare?

I would like to thank everyone for the replies, especially to those that provided actual comparative user experiences regarding the lenses in question only.

Cheers

dan



Mar 09, 2015 at 06:43 AM
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