New body or new lens...

[colruby2@gmail.com]

Hi

Currently I have an EOS 40D with a EF100-400IS lens. I also have an EF 1.4x III Extender.
I use my camera only for bird photography (center point focus). Since my 40D will not autofocus with the extender on my lens I almost never use the extender.

Now I wonder if I should buy an EF 500 (or 600) mm f/4L IS II and keep my 40D or if I should stay with my 100-400 lens and extender and go for an EOS 5D III or EOS 1DX.

Of course - going all in for both would be best, but would definitly be far over my budget this year... I have to choose... Any suggestions/comments?

Ruben

[Menace]

Personally, I'd get the 500/600 first and later upgrade the body

[RLPhoto]

Big Glass > Body

[Don Haines]

I think your limiting factor is the lens in good light, and the body in low light. Ideally, one would upgrade both, but which one would depend on how and when you typically shoot. Most of my attempts to get good bird and nature shots are in the middle of the day when lighting is at it's best.... so if it were me, I would upgrade the Lens first.

Besides, a year or so, when you are ready to upgrade the body, there will be newer and better ones out and the current bodies will be at lower prices..... not so likely to happen to the 600mm, particularly after it's recent upgrade.

[Hesbehindyou]

This is a no-brainer; lenses first. Look at the situation 2 years down the line - the lens will cost the same, the body will either be cheaper or replaced by an even better version.

Two other points; I'd be wary of going full frame unless you're happy you will not be focal length limited and the 500 is a lot of money for not a lot of focal length. I'd be tempted to keep the 100-400 and add the 600.

[mbpics]

putting an extended on a 100-400 will leave you disappointed with IQ and AF speed, regardless of the body it's on.

[brad goda]

40D and new lens 500 or 600 you will love the lens and wonder how much better IQ and focus will be with a better body.

5DIII or 1Dx with what lens you have... you will be surprised what your lens is capable of and your IQ and focus will be lightyears better than your 40D.
with 1Dx at 12fps RAW...!!! oh you will love THAT!

[pedro]

I am shooting a 5D3 since last August. And it was a big step up for me in low light, coming from a 30D. The 1Dx is definitely not my expenditure league. But If you do birding, although I am not into that, I guess the 1Dx surely has a stellar AF and is a lot more forgiving at higher ISOs relating to what I've heard so far. It has a 0.5 to 1 stop advantage in RAW over the 5D3 according to neuro. How many f-stops do you lose with a 1.4 converter and the 100-400? Anyway you'd have at least a 560mm on the long end. If I were you I'd go for the body...Because neither the 1Dx nor the 5D3 will see an upgrade within the next year. But, that's my 2 cents.