70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS vs 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS

[LIsnap]

I just moved to the 5DIII from the 50D. With my 70-200mm f/4L non-IS  I am missing the extra reach that the 50D crop factor provided for outdoor sports.  Looking for suggestions on whether the 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS is recommended over the 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS.  Is the 70-300mm IQ and IS that much better to justify the trade off of 300mm vs 400mm max focal length?  The 100-400mm seems due for an update that might make the choice easier, but I'd rather not wait indefinitely for that.

[criza]

Why not get the Canon Extender 1.4x II or 2x III? 

[Harv]

Why not get the Canon Extender 1.4x II or 2x III? 

The 70-300 L does not accept an extender.

[Harv]

With the resolution of the 70-300 L and the 5D3, you should be able to crop fairly deep if needed.  The IQ and IS of the 70-300 is much, much better than the 100-400.  I have owned both and can say that from experience.

[briansquibb]

With the resolution of the 70-300 L and the 5D3, you should be able to crop fairly deep if needed.  The IQ and IS of the 70-300 is much, much better than the 100-400.  I have owned both and can say that from experience.

+1

The 70-300L is much lighter and dhorter too

[Stu_bert]

Why not get the Canon Extender 1.4x II or 2x III? 

The 70-300 L does not accept an extender.

Not a Canon extender, no, Canon "fixed" that. It does with the Kenko Pro range. Alas not had chance to compare with the 100-400 as mine is alas a rubbish copy. Others however on this forum have good copies so I think that I'm in a minority.

@OP - You're 200mm on the 50D gave you effective 320mm, with 1.4x converter then it gave you 448mm. If you need that sort of reach, then is it not more of a compare the 100-400mm with the 400mm f/5.6 and keep you're existing 70-200?

[Zo0m]

Why not get the Canon Extender 1.4x II or 2x III? 

The 70-300 L does not accept an extender.

Not a Canon extender, no, Canon "fixed" that. It does with the Kenko Pro range. Alas not had chance to compare with the 100-400 as mine is alas a rubbish copy. Others however on this forum have good copies so I think that I'm in a minority.

@OP - You're 200mm on the 50D gave you effective 320mm, with 1.4x converter then it gave you 448mm. If you need that sort of reach, then is it not more of a compare the 100-400mm with the 400mm f/5.6 and keep you're existing 70-200?

I Think criza meant an 1.4 extender to the 70-200f4. Which would actually make the fov similar to an 50d without extender...

[lol]

At least for my samples, there is no significant difference in image quality between the 70-300L and 100-400L.

The choice then is what do you want more out of the remaining feature differences:
70-300L possible advantages:
- is smaller and lighter
- noticeably better IS system
- more weather resistant

100-400L possible advantages:
- 400mm!
- At close focus, the 70-300L seems to exhibit more focal length shrinkage than the 100-400L.
- The 70-300L focus varies as you zoom whereas the 100-400L is more constant.

Depending on preferences:
- Conventional twist zoom vs faster push-pull.

If you put a gun to my head and say pick one, I'd go for the 100-400L without hesitation. The IS isn't really much benefit since in many applications you need a fast shutter speed to prevent subject motion blur. Lack of weather sealing is why I added the 70-300L, but even without sealing the 100-400L can be used unprotected in moderate rain for quite some time before condensation forms on the internal lens elements, rendering it unusable until you dry it out. The push-pull zoom is a lot faster and more accurate to use if you want to keep up with a dynamic moving subject.

[briansquibb]

The push-pull zoom is a lot faster and more accurate to use if you want to keep up with a dynamic moving subject.

That is probably down to the individual - personally pulling the lens away from you face means you have to hold tight with the right hand which stops me adjusting the AF point dynamically

The extra weight is a hinderance when turning quickly

[Stu_bert]

Why not get the Canon Extender 1.4x II or 2x III? 

The 70-300 L does not accept an extender.

Not a Canon extender, no, Canon "fixed" that. It does with the Kenko Pro range. Alas not had chance to compare with the 100-400 as mine is alas a rubbish copy. Others however on this forum have good copies so I think that I'm in a minority.

@OP - You're 200mm on the 50D gave you effective 320mm, with 1.4x converter then it gave you 448mm. If you need that sort of reach, then is it not more of a compare the 100-400mm with the 400mm f/5.6 and keep you're existing 70-200?

I Think criza meant an 1.4 extender to the 70-200f4. Which would actually make the fov similar to an 50d without extender...

Yup you're right, sorry to OP and thanks for highlighting. The 70-300mm L is a more recent lens. From what I have seen, quicker AF, better IS than 100-400mm. You're "used" to an effective reach of ~300mm, so I would add another option which is simply the 1.4x extender to give you the reach you had. And I've seen a review which said quality of the 70-200 with 1.4x and 70-300mm was close. If you don't need the range of 300mm, then the 70-200 without the 1.4x converter is sharper. The 1.4x might also defer your decision until a possible 100-400mm MK II appeared.

If you need 400mm reach, and want flexibility, then the 100-400mm is your option. I've not seen comparison on 400mm f/4 vs the 100-400mm if reach is your only concern and you have flexibility in positioning.

Of course, if you have a friendly dealer, then I am sure you could try the lenses outside their shop with moving vehicles and see which you prefer...?

[lol]

That is probably down to the individual - personally pulling the lens away from you face means you have to hold tight with the right hand which stops me adjusting the AF point dynamically

I use the 100-400L friction setting on the lowest possible, and I don't need to apply any more grip with my right hand than using any other lens even while zooming.

I'm probably biased though, as I'd estimate well over 50% of my lifetime shots with any camera system are with the 100-400L.

[briansquibb]

That is probably down to the individual - personally pulling the lens away from you face means you have to hold tight with the right hand which stops me adjusting the AF point dynamically

I use the 100-400L friction setting on the lowest possible, and I don't need to apply any more grip with my right hand than using any other lens even while zooming.

I'm probably biased though, as I'd estimate well over 50% of my lifetime shots with any camera system are with the 100-400L.

Mine is with the twist zoom

With big hands like mine you can zoom and manual focus at the same time, not easy with a push pull 

[Renato]

... Lack of weather sealing is why I added the 70-300L, but even without sealing the 100-400L can be used unprotected in moderate rain for quite some time before condensation forms on the internal lens elements, rendering it unusable until you dry it out. The push-pull zoom is a lot faster and more accurate to use if you want to keep up with a dynamic moving subject.

I have 100-400 and is excellent, I have own it for 3 years.  Only BIG problem is rain.  Be very careful, after drying  mine out for 3 or four times (put lens in a bag with silica gel) it finally died!  Sent it for repair and had to replace AF and USM for almost $300.  So I love the lens but from now on I will use some cover or put it away if there is ANY mist or rain.

[lol]

Mine is with the twist zoom

With big hands like mine you can zoom and manual focus at the same time, not easy with a push pull 

I'm confused now, I thought you were talking about AF point selection on the body, but did you mean manual fine tuning the focus point on the lens? I don't do the latter since I tend to stick to servo, but wouldn't imagine it being that difficult on the 100-400L either since you only need to hold the lens in one place unlike having to reach for two on a twist.

I have 100-400 and is excellent, I have own it for 3 years.  Only BIG problem is rain.  Be very careful, after drying  mine out for 3 or four times (put lens in a bag with silica gel) it finally died!  Sent it for repair and had to replace AF and USM for almost $300.  So I love the lens but from now on I will use some cover or put it away if there is ANY mist or rain.

How quickly did it dry with that method? To dry mine I just leave mine in the open with lens caps off, and if fitted at the time, remove any front filter also since that isn't airtight without one. Usually that visibly dries out in a few hours. While silica gel is known for absorbing moisture, and therefore reducing humidity in close spaces, I wonder what its relative speed is like over open drying.

[briansquibb]

Mine is with the twist zoom

With big hands like mine you can zoom and manual focus at the same time, not easy with a push pull 

I'm confused now, I thought you were talking about AF point selection on the body, but did you mean manual fine tuning the focus point on the lens? I don't do the latter since I tend to stick to servo, but wouldn't imagine it being that difficult on the 100-400L either since you only need to hold the lens in one place unlike having to reach for two on a twist.

I was - when recomposing I change the AF point, zoom and manually focus at the same time (can't AF and change focal point at the same time ). This approach avoids focus hunting.