The Digital picture has crops from the 200-400 with 1.4 extender!

[Apop]

The digital picture has 100% crops


http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=764&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=5&API=2&LensComp=739&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=2&APIComp=3


It looks really good for a zoom lens!
@400mm http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=764&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=4&API=0&LensComp=739&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=1&APIComp=1

@300mm it seems to be slightly'(ever so slightly) less impressive, but still amazing
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=764&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=2&API=0&LensComp=739&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0



For me it will be unfordable unfortunately, way too expensive, however looks to be worth it for people who already have some long telephotos and look to add a zoom for convenience .

[RGF]

Any zoom that hold up against the world's best prime is impressive

[Freddie]

It's totally impressive. In image sharpness, price, and in WEIGHT.
It is, however, overpriced by, at the very least, 50%. I could sell my 500 series-1, 17mm TS-E, 1D MK IV body, 5D MK II body, and maybe cough up a few hundred more dollars if I absolutely had to have one. Sadly, it wouldn't result in any improvement in my skills, only add to my bragging rights. My kit as well as my wallet would be some considerable measure lighter though.
As soon as USA-CPS has one for loan, I'll be stepping up to try it just so I know what's it's, in fact, capable of. In a year or two or so when all the early adopters have tired of their new toys, a used copy MIGHT come on the market at under US$10K. Then again, the DOW might top 20K as well. Dreaming big isn't generally a crime.

[Jack Douglas]

Hi guys,

Besides the price issue, to me it always comes down to "where is the zoom sitting most of the time".  If I'm out after birds, it's a rare occassion when my 300 isn't  attached to 1.4X or better 2X (in spite of some negatives) so that I have the reach, especially since I'm now FF with the 6D.  Comparing results between 300 X2 and (200-)400 X1.4 both at F5.6 I don't see too much difference.  So, I conclude that even if I was inclined to fork out all that hard earned cash, I wouldn't be further ahead and I'd be packing a bigger load even though my wallet was lighter.

Now, the 400 F2.8 still tugs at my heart strings in spite of the price, I think for obvious reasons, and in spite of it's bulk.

After some months of shooting I see little that challenges my intial rationalization in buying the 300 2.8 II and the extenders III.  I find it very accommodating of hand held shooting and that's really attractive.

Jack