300mm f/2.8L IS II vs. 400mm f/4 DO IS II ---> price difference

[Jack Douglas]

Thanks guys. We are incredibly blessed with super cameras. The 6D has served me well other than 4.5 fps which in my recent dancing foxes lost me some very nice poses and even 7 would have helped a lot but it wouldn't have been 14. I don't really care about 14 and I have a hunch that except for a small number of irritants the 5D4 will be enough of everything at a fair price.

I refuse to get on any Canon bashing bandwagon. Canon delivers solid products as far as I'm concerned. For now, I'll exercise some patience by going back on hold, past my fictitious Sept. deadline. :'(

Too busy for much shooting now anyway.

Here is what was going on in a much too heavy crop and an uncropped frame. 300 X2

Jack

 

[AlanF]

I am agonising over a 400mm DO II and have to make up my mind by tomorrow. My local dealer will give me a good discount but Canon is raising the price on 1 Sept. If I didn't have the 300/2.8 II I'd go for it. My wife has agreed as special anniversary present (see Birds in Flight thread today) but I am not sure I can justify it to myself.

 

[privatebydesign]

I am agonising over a 400mm DO II and have to make up my mind by tomorrow. My local dealer will give me a good discount but Canon is raising the price on 1 Sept. If I didn't have the 300/2.8 II I'd go for it. My wife has agreed as special anniversary present (see Birds in Flight thread today) but I am not sure I can justify it to myself.

My 2c. Get it, in general we only regret the things we didn't do, besides, if the price goes up so will the resale value and they are holding up much better than the MkI did.

Use both, evaluate which is more appropriate for you and sell the other if needs be.

 

[tron]

I am agonising over a 400mm DO II and have to make up my mind by tomorrow. My local dealer will give me a good discount but Canon is raising the price on 1 Sept. If I didn't have the 300/2.8 II I'd go for it. My wife has agreed as special anniversary present (see Birds in Flight thread today) but I am not sure I can justify it to myself.

My 2c. Get it, in general we only regret the things we didn't do, besides, if the price goes up so will the resale value and they are holding up much better than the MkI did.

Use both, evaluate which is more appropriate for you and sell the other if needs be.

+1000000000000000000 plus the other one can be sold only after the prices are increased

 

[Jack Douglas]

I am agonising over a 400mm DO II and have to make up my mind by tomorrow. My local dealer will give me a good discount but Canon is raising the price on 1 Sept. If I didn't have the 300/2.8 II I'd go for it. My wife has agreed as special anniversary present (see Birds in Flight thread today) but I am not sure I can justify it to myself.

Oh, Alan, you poor soul. Agonizing. If you could only see what I'm going through, a complete nervous breakdown. From the two bird pros, this is a fantastic lens that is easier to handle/carry than the 300 by a little.

My examination of all I could find is that it beats the 300 X2 when used with the X1.4 although with slightly less FL, so that's fine. It also appears that it will perform quite well with X2 which would give us 800 and here is the sticker - is it satisfactory, as in equal roughly to what we are used to with the 300 X2 for AF and IQ. BIF, you generally don't need or want 800 so the AF issue isn't quite as troubling. However, both of us hang up if we don't get crisp photos. 400 alone is stellar for IQ, excepting some not too common bokeh issues. Losing 2.8 is a bit of a downside of course. As Scot says, we can sell the 300 if we choose, after the fact.

Believe it or not, my wife said buy the 1DX II and 400 and I said no, that's just too much spent on a hobby. I have at this moment a plan to get the 400 followed by a delayed 5D4 purchase no later than April. As of today my price for the 400 is $7435 via CPW as opposed to the local retailers at $9310. Is that similar to your situation? Do you know if the Sept. 1 price increase is local?

Feel free to banter this around or share info with me if that helps. I agree that usually careful methodical types like us miss out by not acting, as Scott has said. We are not the type that ends up bankrupt (well I hope not).

When my wife arrives home tonight (she left me at home; I stayed up half the night and am zonked) I will propose a singular purchase of the 400 DO as I've outlined. She has been getting requested house remodeling of similar value. End of rambling.

What wonderful problems we have to deal with!

Jack

 

[mackguyver]

Alan, just to give you an idea - I just sold my mint condition (with box and all) 300 f/2.8 II on eBay for US$ 5500+shipping, minus feeBay's 10% commission. Not too happy with that considering what I paid, but my health is still not great and I decided to give up on wildlife photography to go back to my commercial work. I bought a 5DSR, which is a phenomenal camera, btw, with much improved DR over the 5DIII, which I wasn't expecting. I think it would make an excellent wildlife camera and is a tough choice between that and the 400 DO II as others have suggested.

EDIT: I see you have the 5DSR already...

 

[AlanF]

Jack
I'll pull the trigger tomorrow if the deal is still on! I can see myself using it at 400 and 560 on the 5DS R, and occasionally at 800mm. Trouble is, I am currently spoiled for choice. My Sigma 150-600mm C is an absolute winner, competing with the 100-400mm II at 400mm, and the 300x2 at 600mm. The 300/2.8 II + 1.4xTC at 420mm is noticeably better than the other 400s, whatever Roger's MTF curves show. I would be disappointed if the 400 DO II is no better than the 300 + 1.4.

 

[Jack Douglas]

Jack
I'll pull the trigger tomorrow if the deal is still on! I can see myself using it at 400 and 560 on the 5DS R, and occasionally at 800mm. Trouble is, I am currently spoiled for choice. My Sigma 150-600mm C is an absolute winner, competing with the 100-400mm II at 400mm, and the 300x2 at 600mm. The 300/2.8 II + 1.4xTC at 420mm is noticeably better than the other 400s, whatever Roger's MTF curves show. I would be disappointed if the 400 DO II is no better than the 300 + 1.4.

I would see myself having a little more difficulty rationalizing the purchase if I had those lenses. The thought of just getting the 100-400 entered my head until it registered that X2 is out. Is the 150-600 too big? If my wants were focused on 600 and below, I'd just stick with 300 X2 but I feel 800 would be the big plus for me. So, more info on the 400 X2 performance in real life shooting would be helpful. Tron, it's time you did some serious test shooting with 400 X2, for Alan and me!

Jack

 

[privatebydesign]

Alan, just to give you an idea - I just sold my mint condition (with box and all) 300 f/2.8 II on eBay for US$ 5500+shipping, minus feeBay's 10% commission. Not too happy with that considering what I paid, but my health is still not great and I decided to give up on wildlife photography to go back to my commercial work. I bought a 5DSR, which is a phenomenal camera, btw, with much improved DR over the 5DIII, which I wasn't expecting. I think it would make an excellent wildlife camera and is a tough choice between that and the 400 DO II as others have suggested.

EDIT: I see you have the 5DSR already...

Hey Mac, welcome back!

Sorry to hear you still have the health issues but glad to see you back. Wish you'd mentioned the 300 to me I'd have traded out my MkI, oh well, next time...........


P.S. Are you keeping the 1DX? I'd drive up to Tallahassee and buy you lunch

 

[mackguyver]

Alan, just to give you an idea - I just sold my mint condition (with box and all) 300 f/2.8 II on eBay for US$ 5500+shipping, minus feeBay's 10% commission. Not too happy with that considering what I paid, but my health is still not great and I decided to give up on wildlife photography to go back to my commercial work. I bought a 5DSR, which is a phenomenal camera, btw, with much improved DR over the 5DIII, which I wasn't expecting. I think it would make an excellent wildlife camera and is a tough choice between that and the 400 DO II as others have suggested.

EDIT: I see you have the 5DSR already...

Hey Mac, welcome back!

Sorry to hear you still have the health issues but glad to see you back. Wish you'd mentioned the 300 to me I'd have traded out my MkI, oh well, next time...........

Thanks, Private, and sorry about that, trust me, I wish I'd sold it to you, alas, it's sold. Yes, still struggling some, but I try to stay positive and I have a new project that I'm excited about. Will share the details here in a few weeks if my work is accepted.

 

[tron]

Now don't think I have less to miss since I do have the lenses. I try to forget about 5DsR ;D

Alan I do remember what you said regarding 7D2 and 5DsR comparison. If I succumb I will send you ... the bill ;D ;D

 

[privatebydesign]

Alan, just to give you an idea - I just sold my mint condition (with box and all) 300 f/2.8 II on eBay for US$ 5500+shipping, minus feeBay's 10% commission. Not too happy with that considering what I paid, but my health is still not great and I decided to give up on wildlife photography to go back to my commercial work. I bought a 5DSR, which is a phenomenal camera, btw, with much improved DR over the 5DIII, which I wasn't expecting. I think it would make an excellent wildlife camera and is a tough choice between that and the 400 DO II as others have suggested.

EDIT: I see you have the 5DSR already...

Hey Mac, welcome back!

Sorry to hear you still have the health issues but glad to see you back. Wish you'd mentioned the 300 to me I'd have traded out my MkI, oh well, next time...........

Thanks, Private, and sorry about that, trust me, I wish I'd sold it to you, alas, it's sold. Yes, still struggling some, but I try to stay positive and I have a new project that I'm excited about. Will share the details here in a few weeks if my work is accepted.

Sounds good, hope it works out for you.

If you decide to sell the 1DX let me know

 

[mackguyver]

Alan, just to give you an idea - I just sold my mint condition (with box and all) 300 f/2.8 II on eBay for US$ 5500+shipping, minus feeBay's 10% commission. Not too happy with that considering what I paid, but my health is still not great and I decided to give up on wildlife photography to go back to my commercial work. I bought a 5DSR, which is a phenomenal camera, btw, with much improved DR over the 5DIII, which I wasn't expecting. I think it would make an excellent wildlife camera and is a tough choice between that and the 400 DO II as others have suggested.

EDIT: I see you have the 5DSR already...

Hey Mac, welcome back!

Sorry to hear you still have the health issues but glad to see you back. Wish you'd mentioned the 300 to me I'd have traded out my MkI, oh well, next time...........

Thanks, Private, and sorry about that, trust me, I wish I'd sold it to you, alas, it's sold. Yes, still struggling some, but I try to stay positive and I have a new project that I'm excited about. Will share the details here in a few weeks if my work is accepted.

Sounds good, hope it works out for you.

If you decide to sell the 1DX let me know

Thanks and I doubt I'll sell the 1DX. It might be 'only' 18MP but I love the 1D series. I chose it over my brand new 5DSR for a portrait shoot yesterday, actually.

I'm curious to see the outcome of this post, too...

 

[Jack Douglas]

Jack
I'll pull the trigger tomorrow if the deal is still on! I can see myself using it at 400 and 560 on the 5DS R, and occasionally at 800mm. Trouble is, I am currently spoiled for choice. My Sigma 150-600mm C is an absolute winner, competing with the 100-400mm II at 400mm, and the 300x2 at 600mm. The 300/2.8 II + 1.4xTC at 420mm is noticeably better than the other 400s, whatever Roger's MTF curves show. I would be disappointed if the 400 DO II is no better than the 300 + 1.4.

Alan, what's it going to cost you? $7435 CAD converts today to 4387 GBP, plus I pay 5% GST on top, that's it. Retail here $9310 converts to 5493 GBP. I'll be letting Gordon at CPW know tomorrow so it would be nice to have some comparison.

Jack

 

[AlanF]

That is ridiculously cheap. The B&H price converts to £5243.60, which plus VAT would total £6290. Mind you, pre-brexit that would have been only £5726.

Check for a yellow elliptical sticker with FAILED on it.

 

[Jack Douglas]

That is ridiculously cheap. The B&H price converts to £5243.60, which plus VAT would total £6290. Mind you, pre-brexit that would have been only £5726.

Check for a yellow elliptical sticker with FAILED on it.

Remember that's CAD, $7800 with tax. Yellow sticker! Alan now I won't sleep for the next few weeks.

Jack

 

[Eldar]

Alan, just to give you an idea - I just sold my mint condition (with box and all) 300 f/2.8 II on eBay for US$ 5500+shipping, minus feeBay's 10% commission. Not too happy with that considering what I paid, but my health is still not great and I decided to give up on wildlife photography to go back to my commercial work. I bought a 5DSR, which is a phenomenal camera, btw, with much improved DR over the 5DIII, which I wasn't expecting. I think it would make an excellent wildlife camera and is a tough choice between that and the 400 DO II as others have suggested.

EDIT: I see you have the 5DSR already...

Hey Mac, welcome back!

Sorry to hear you still have the health issues but glad to see you back. Wish you'd mentioned the 300 to me I'd have traded out my MkI, oh well, next time...........

Thanks, Private, and sorry about that, trust me, I wish I'd sold it to you, alas, it's sold. Yes, still struggling some, but I try to stay positive and I have a new project that I'm excited about. Will share the details here in a few weeks if my work is accepted.

Sounds good, hope it works out for you.

If you decide to sell the 1DX let me know

Thanks and I doubt I'll sell the 1DX. It might be 'only' 18MP but I love the 1D series. I chose it over my brand new 5DSR for a portrait shoot yesterday, actually.

I'm curious to see the outcome of this post, too...

Hi Mac, good to see your smily beaky face again

FYI, I bought a 300 f2.8L IS II in mint condition here in Norway a few months ago and paid the equivalent of $5.100 for it and bear in mind that it cost $8.000 new here. So the price you got may not be that bad, all things considered.

Looking forward to see what you have to share with us!

 

[Jack Douglas]

Alan, just to give you an idea - I just sold my mint condition (with box and all) 300 f/2.8 II on eBay for US$ 5500+shipping, minus feeBay's 10% commission. Not too happy with that considering what I paid, but my health is still not great and I decided to give up on wildlife photography to go back to my commercial work. I bought a 5DSR, which is a phenomenal camera, btw, with much improved DR over the 5DIII, which I wasn't expecting. I think it would make an excellent wildlife camera and is a tough choice between that and the 400 DO II as others have suggested.

EDIT: I see you have the 5DSR already...

Hey Mac, welcome back!

Sorry to hear you still have the health issues but glad to see you back. Wish you'd mentioned the 300 to me I'd have traded out my MkI, oh well, next time...........

Thanks, Private, and sorry about that, trust me, I wish I'd sold it to you, alas, it's sold. Yes, still struggling some, but I try to stay positive and I have a new project that I'm excited about. Will share the details here in a few weeks if my work is accepted.

Sounds good, hope it works out for you.

If you decide to sell the 1DX let me know

Thanks and I doubt I'll sell the 1DX. It might be 'only' 18MP but I love the 1D series. I chose it over my brand new 5DSR for a portrait shoot yesterday, actually.

I'm curious to see the outcome of this post, too...

Hi Mac, good to see your smily beaky face again

FYI, I bought a 300 f2.8L IS II in mint condition here in Norway a few months ago and paid the equivalent of $5.100 for it and bear in mind that it cost $8.000 new here. So the price you got may not be that bad, all things considered.

Looking forward to see what you have to share with us!

mackguyver, add me to the welcome back.

Eldar, if you'd waited for mine it'd be cheaper than that. Of course, I may keep it but I doubt it. It will help with my camera body purchase now scheduled for probably February. I'm glad that decision is postponed since we're not doing our usual September holiday and I've been too busy. So, I will be continuing to balance the trade-offs of the 3 candidates and watching the threads on the cameras.

Jack

 

[Eldar]

Alan, just to give you an idea - I just sold my mint condition (with box and all) 300 f/2.8 II on eBay for US$ 5500+shipping, minus feeBay's 10% commission. Not too happy with that considering what I paid, but my health is still not great and I decided to give up on wildlife photography to go back to my commercial work. I bought a 5DSR, which is a phenomenal camera, btw, with much improved DR over the 5DIII, which I wasn't expecting. I think it would make an excellent wildlife camera and is a tough choice between that and the 400 DO II as others have suggested.

EDIT: I see you have the 5DSR already...

Hey Mac, welcome back!

Sorry to hear you still have the health issues but glad to see you back. Wish you'd mentioned the 300 to me I'd have traded out my MkI, oh well, next time...........

Thanks, Private, and sorry about that, trust me, I wish I'd sold it to you, alas, it's sold. Yes, still struggling some, but I try to stay positive and I have a new project that I'm excited about. Will share the details here in a few weeks if my work is accepted.

Sounds good, hope it works out for you.

If you decide to sell the 1DX let me know

Thanks and I doubt I'll sell the 1DX. It might be 'only' 18MP but I love the 1D series. I chose it over my brand new 5DSR for a portrait shoot yesterday, actually.

I'm curious to see the outcome of this post, too...

Hi Mac, good to see your smily beaky face again

FYI, I bought a 300 f2.8L IS II in mint condition here in Norway a few months ago and paid the equivalent of $5.100 for it and bear in mind that it cost $8.000 new here. So the price you got may not be that bad, all things considered.

Looking forward to see what you have to share with us!

mackguyver, add me to the welcome back.

Eldar, if you'd waited for mine it'd be cheaper than that. Of course, I may keep it but I doubt it. It will help with my camera body purchase now scheduled for probably February. I'm glad that decision is postponed since we're not doing our usual September holiday and I've been too busy. So, I will be continuing to balance the trade-offs of the 3 candidates and watching the threads on the cameras.

Jack

I admire your patience Jack

 

[Jack Douglas]

Much easier to be patient after having just bought a 400 DO II. I can play with that on my 6D. Wants get confused with needs!

Jack