400mm or 100-400? Torn between two lovers

[Evanjohnn Mendoza]

Hi guys,

Just when I thought the 400mm f5.6L USM was my sure buy for hopefully next month, I'm suddenly faced with sample pictures by Romy with the 100-400 f4.5-5.6L

Considering that I might be getting a TC X2 to go with the lens, which of the two should I get?

Is getting a 400mm rather than the 100-400 placed in a significant advantage over the other (considering that i also don't mind moving just to zoom out of a bird)?

Thanks

[Bobby Kintanar]

Go for the 400mm if you'll primarily be birding. The zoom offers flexibility, but in most instances, the prime will give better results, specially with a TC. :-)

[Tonji Ramos]

We have both.

Nowadays I use my bigger lens all the time. But when I travel abroad and can't bring my bigger glass I bring the 100-400mm mainly because it has IS. Not having to carry a tripod is a super big plus!

In addition, I can bring my travel lens a 24-70mm plus my 100-400 so I have a wide range of FL in just two lenses.

But if it's your main birding lens, which you will pair with a tripod, the 400mm f5.6 is also a great choice. It's the most popular lens in the forum.

[ppaaoolloo]

Nov 28, 2010 14:45:12 GMT Tonji Ramos said:

the 400mm f5.6 is also a great choice. It's the most popular lens in the forum.

I agree it is PBPF's bird lens of choice. Tied at 2nd are the 500mm prime and the 100-400 IS.

It is also rare in bird photography to step back or zoom out. You tend to step forward or zoom in as close as possible until the bird flies away.

[Enrique Frio]

I was considering both, but I chose the 100-400 for all kinds of photography. My copy is sharp, though I haven't done the $ bill tests that some have. I have shot elephants, battle horses, birds, people, etc. The flexibility of the zoom is one thing I like. For this PH eagle photo, I had to zoom out to 190 mm quickly from 400mm close up portraits. As far as I know, not many have taken photos of this pose. It is so unique and powerful - I would not have gotten that with a prime lens. It was over in a split second.



www.internationalapertureawards.com/EntrantUploads/Cert/2010004044.jpg

Some say you don't really get situations where the bird is too close for 400mm but I have shot some small birds full frame and had to zoom out because they came near (Baya weaver, white-rumped shama, etc.).

The 2x tc is better for the 400mm prime, but check your body - some will not autofocus with the 2x TC, unless it's a 1D series body. IS on the 100-400 is great as well.

Test your lens at 100% for sharpness when you buy it. Have a look at my battle horse photos:

www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/770913

Have fun!
Enrique

[Evanjohnn Mendoza]

Thanks guys! Looking at your suggestions I'm most likely leaning towards the 400mm prime.

@enrique if I'm going for Canon 7D will the TC really cause a considerable damage in image quality?

[Enrique Frio]

Nov 29, 2010 9:53:43 GMT Evanjohnn Mendoza said:

Thanks guys! Looking at your suggestions I'm most likely leaning towards the 400mm prime.

@enrique if I'm going for Canon 7D will the TC really cause a considerable damage in image quality?

They say the TCs are not good on zooms - I will tend to agree. Consider your uses, or better yet rent/ borrow both and shoot your style before you commit to buying. Primes need good tripods too - buy the best you can afford (not the cheap 1-2,000 php ones).

You'll love the 7D - it is the right mix of fps, IQ, megapixels, and focus and metering accuracy for me for many subjects, not just birds. I just shoot a lot more variety so I like my 100-400 a lot. btw, the battle horses were shot with a 1DsMk2 +100-400.

Let us know what you get and post some pics soon!

Cheers,
E

[Evanjohnn Mendoza]

thanks so much E,

So excited, already posted my order, will get it around Dec 8.

[Enrique Frio]

Nov 29, 2010 14:21:43 GMT Evanjohnn Mendoza said:

thanks so much E,

So excited, already posted my order, will get it around Dec 8.

Cool! So it is the 400 f5.6 + 7D you got? That's a good BIF combo also. Where did you order?

Enjoy!
E

[Evanjohnn Mendoza]

Well I've already ordered the Canon 7D, the 400mm is still to be purchased. I ordered here: www.facebook.com/pages/Cebu-Philippines/The-Tech-Hub/162831063728581

I still dunno where I can buy an affordable 400mm f/5.6 brand new. the price I saw in Camera haus is 61,750php. I know there's probably somewhere else which may be even cheaper than that. I just dunno where to buy.