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Archive 2016 · Upgrade body (7D) or lens (300mm f4 L)?

  
 
Avian
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Upgrade body (7D) or lens (300mm f4 L)?


Hi, this is my first time posting on the forum, so I hope I am following all appropriate rules and regulations

I have been doing some general wildlife photography (purely hobby stuff) for about 2 years now. I shoot mainly birds, flowers, dragonflies, the occasional mammal and the occasional long-lens landscape. My current setup is a Canon 7D with a 300mm f4 L lens. I do love this setup, but like most people I strive for better performance. I've saved up and I'm ready to upgrade; but only the lens or the body. I've narrowed my choices down to a 7D mk ii and a 100-400 ii (for reasons of burst speed, ISO, crop-sensor, focus speed, close focus, and versatility).

So, my question is which upgrade is more "essential", meaning which one will be the bigger "upgrade" - the body (7D to 7D ii) or the lens (300 f4 to 100-400 ii). I'll probably start saving and do the second upgrade within a year and a half.

Your opinion/s would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Josh



Nov 02, 2016 at 01:25 PM
msalvetti
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Upgrade body (7D) or lens (300mm f4 L)?


Hi Josh. Welcome! I have both the 7D and 7DII. Had the older 100-400, and now the 100-400II, but I have never used the 300 f/4.

I know both cameras well, and if I had to choose, I would rather shoot with the 7D and a 100-400II than with a 7DII and a 300 f/4. The 100-400II has great image quality, fast AF, and a nice close-focus capability (but not sure if it rivals the close focus of the 300 f/4).

One drawback is that the 100-400II will be a full stop slower at the long end, so if you are having issues with high ISO noise now, it may get worse. But at 300mm the difference will be less than a full stop, so I think this is a fair tradeoff.

Keep in mind that based on your timeline for your next upgrade, there should be a new version of the 7DII out there. That will make the current 7DII even cheaper, or maybe the new body will have some great features you will want.

The 100-400II will make you happy for many years, much longer than a body.

Go for the glass.

Mark

Edited on Nov 02, 2016 at 02:25 PM · View previous versions



Nov 02, 2016 at 02:23 PM
StevenSHH
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Upgrade body (7D) or lens (300mm f4 L)?


Welcome to this Forum, please use nature forum for better results, but the answer and vote is always the lens. Unless there is something wrong with 7D.

Have fun with photography and your new upgrade!



Nov 02, 2016 at 02:25 PM
Ernie Aubert
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Upgrade body (7D) or lens (300mm f4 L)?


I didn't much like the 7D, but I agree that the 100-400 II would be the right choice.


Nov 02, 2016 at 02:27 PM
Don Clary
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Upgrade body (7D) or lens (300mm f4 L)?


msalvetti: The 100-400II has great image quality, fast AF, and a nice close-focus capability (but not sure if it rivals the close focus of the 300 f/4)

Canon 300 has .24X magnification (for close focus), which is good, but 100-400 is even better:.31X.

I've owned 300 f4L IS for years, and loved it, but 100-400 is a must have lens, with advanced IS system. I'd first go for the lens, then later a new body.



Nov 02, 2016 at 02:39 PM
Avian
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Upgrade body (7D) or lens (300mm f4 L)?


Wow, thanks so much for the friendly welcome and the detailed replies, I truly appreciate it. Also, thanks SvenSHH for directing me to the appropriate forum.

It really gives me comfort to hear the opinions of those who have used similar equipment.

Truly appreciative,

Josh



Nov 02, 2016 at 02:53 PM
Imagemaster
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Upgrade body (7D) or lens (300mm f4 L)?


StevenSHH wrote:
Welcome to this Forum, please use nature forum for better results,


This forum Is a perfectly acceptable forum for asking about CANON gear. What makes you think he will get better results just posting on the Nature forum? He could always cross-post to that forum.






Nov 02, 2016 at 02:59 PM
Imagemaster
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Upgrade body (7D) or lens (300mm f4 L)?


Keep your 7D and get the 100-400 II. As good as the 300 f4, and far more versatile.

Pick up a used 7D2 later when you can afford it.

The 7D gives great images:







Nov 02, 2016 at 03:01 PM
Avian
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Upgrade body (7D) or lens (300mm f4 L)?


Smashing photo Imagemaster. Thanks


Nov 02, 2016 at 03:11 PM
arbitrage
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Upgrade body (7D) or lens (300mm f4 L)?


My vote is to go for the 100-400II first and then in 1.5 years the 7D2 will be very inexpensive or you could get the 7D3 if its out by then (good chance it will be).

The 100-400II is usually available as a refurb from Canon with full 1 year warranty. If you are okay with buying a refurb then that will save you money. If you are okay buying used you may save a bit more although often if you catch a 15% off sale on a refurb you can get it for the same price as a used one.

It is currently out of stock, likely because there was just a 15% off sale over Halloween. But it was in stock when that sale started and you probably won't have to wait very long for it to be in stock again. http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/ef-100-400mm-f45-56l-is-ii-usm-refurbished



Nov 02, 2016 at 03:29 PM
msalvetti
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Upgrade body (7D) or lens (300mm f4 L)?


arbitrage wrote:
The 100-400II is usually available as a refurb from Canon with full 1 year warranty. If you are okay with buying a refurb then that will save you money. If you are okay buying used you may save a bit more although often if you catch a 15% off sale on a refurb you can get it for the same price as a used one.


Geoff makes a great point. I got mine from the Canon refurb store during a sale. I paid less than $1600 (plus tax). Go to canonpricewatch.com and you can sign up for price alerts when the lens price drops below a threshold you set; it scans dealers as well as the Canon refurb site.

Be prepared to act quickly, especially when it is on sale. I got my alert around midnight and ordered right away. Thirty minutes later it was sold out again.

Mark



Nov 02, 2016 at 07:57 PM
Kathy White
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Upgrade body (7D) or lens (300mm f4 L)?


Welcome Josh,
I would also upgrade to the 100 400 II first. I've owned both the 7d and 7DII and both the 100 400's but never the 300 f4, but I know even my little travel SL1 does so much better with better glass on it.

It's hard to beat the versatility of the 100 400 II. It's been one of my most grabbed lenses for me since I purchased it. Throw on a 1.4 III and it still performs well. And as mentioned above the 7DII will keep depreciating as you save, so in a year and a half you probably will be able to pick one up a lightly used one for 750 or so.



Nov 03, 2016 at 10:56 PM
carrg1954
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Upgrade body (7D) or lens (300mm f4 L)?


Hi
I have a 300 f4, looks like crap but very sharp, but it stays in the camera bag now that
I have the 100-400 ii. Go with this.



Nov 04, 2016 at 06:13 AM
ggreene
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Upgrade body (7D) or lens (300mm f4 L)?


I would go for the 100-400mk2 first and give Canon more time to come up with a 7D3.


Nov 04, 2016 at 07:37 AM
schlotz
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Upgrade body (7D) or lens (300mm f4 L)?


Welcome to FM, Avian! Generally you want to upgrade glass before body. There are exceptions but nothing you've mentioned suggests there is one here.
Agree also that the 100-400 II is a great choice for what you are shooting.

Matt



Nov 04, 2016 at 08:11 AM
newphoto
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Upgrade body (7D) or lens (300mm f4 L)?


msalvetti wrote:
Hi Josh. Welcome! I have both the 7D and 7DII. Had the older 100-400, and now the 100-400II, but I have never used the 300 f/4.

I know both cameras well, and if I had to choose, I would rather shoot with the 7D and a 100-400II than with a 7DII and a 300 f/4. The 100-400II has great image quality, fast AF, and a nice close-focus capability (but not sure if it rivals the close focus of the 300 f/4).

One drawback is that the 100-400II will be a full stop slower at the long end, so if you are having
...Show more
I have owned all of them. I agree with Mark!



Nov 04, 2016 at 08:32 AM





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