Jack Douglas said:
Jack, so what did you pay for the 400 in the end? I can't wait to see some of your images from it, well done!
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300mm f/2.8L IS II vs. 400mm f/4 DO IS II ---> price difference
- Thread starter Ming-Tzu
- Start date
Jack, so what did you pay for the 400 in the end? I can't wait to see some of your images from it, well done!
privatebydesign said:
Scott, I'm getting pretty reckless in my old age to shift gears and just up and buy that lens. $7435 CAD plus 5% GST. It arrives on Wednesday. The local camera shops advertise it at $9300, which proves to me that they do have room to discount but they hold firm on the expensive lenses. Until the OP I didn't ever recall CPW, even though I had investigated casually a year or two back.
Thanks Scott. I think I had read all the previous reviews on the lens but didn't take it seriously because at that time I dismissed it as a lens I would have bought instead of the 300 2.8 II, if it had been available then.
You can't imagine how many times I and my buddy that died, ran over what lens would be best. It was all tied into being fully portable and it always came back to the 300. He tried the 400 2.8 and said no way in spite of liking the idea of having the advantage over me. I seriously thought about the 500 but sometimes my arms ache with the 300 if having to hold focus for many minutes so how would I hike and shoot with that? It's great for those who can handle it.
For now the 6D won't focus at F8, as I understand it, so that leaves me at 560, but it should be slightly better than 300 X2. If 800 doesn't work out well with the new camera, I'll be one unhappy guy but I'm pretty confident it will.
Jack
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Jack Douglas said:
Hi Jack,
I'm also going through the process of getting a 400DOII and then will sell my 3002.8II. I was curious if the CPW deal ended up being from a US or Canadian retailer? I have an offer from a Canadian retailer to buy the lens at $7690 + 5%GST for me and shipping. But if you got one at $7435 then I may try to go through CPW. Was there shipping charges?
Thanks for any info you can provide. I understand you may not be able to disclose the actual store. Thanks
-Geoff
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Geoff, I don't think there is any problem disclosing but to be safe I won't. The deal must go through CPW but immediately passes to the retailer and everything is 100%, the retailer is well known etc.
I live in Alberta Canada so I'm dealing in Canadian dollars but Gordon at CPW initially quoted assuming I was American and indicating USD. When he gets your request he contacts the retailers to see who is willing to give the best deal and that gets forwarded to you. As someone else stated it seems US residents pay no tax and always shipping is free - usually USPS or Canda Post for me (except the looming strike caused them to opt for UPS in my case). That could be a small issue in your case since USPS insures you don't get dinged with customs charges such as UPS would charge. PM me if there is anything else.
Jack
I live in Alberta Canada so I'm dealing in Canadian dollars but Gordon at CPW initially quoted assuming I was American and indicating USD. When he gets your request he contacts the retailers to see who is willing to give the best deal and that gets forwarded to you. As someone else stated it seems US residents pay no tax and always shipping is free - usually USPS or Canda Post for me (except the looming strike caused them to opt for UPS in my case). That could be a small issue in your case since USPS insures you don't get dinged with customs charges such as UPS would charge. PM me if there is anything else.
Jack
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Thanks Riley. When I can get free for sure the shots will be showing up. 6D doesn't allow F8 focus though.
Jack
Jack
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Jack Douglas said:
the lens is really good on the 7dii. maybe you would consider getting that camera? it will focus at f/8 center point but its more fl than you really need on a crop body.
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Nice to have help deciding! 
No question I'd like the 1DX II but as impatient as I am I am determined to wait at least past Christmas, giving me a little time to learn prior to a month or so holiday in May. My daughter and her husband would like us to return to Haida Gwaii so that she can experience that wonderful wilderness and that would give me another opportunity shooting Bald eagles (1D4 did well but ....). Always fun seeing so many eagles and other non-Albertan birds.
Anyway, keep feeding me the info so my decision is wise.
The 5D4 has some enticing goodies though.:'(
Jack
No question I'd like the 1DX II but as impatient as I am I am determined to wait at least past Christmas, giving me a little time to learn prior to a month or so holiday in May. My daughter and her husband would like us to return to Haida Gwaii so that she can experience that wonderful wilderness and that would give me another opportunity shooting Bald eagles (1D4 did well but ....). Always fun seeing so many eagles and other non-Albertan birds.
Anyway, keep feeding me the info so my decision is wise.
The 5D4 has some enticing goodies though.:'(Jack
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candc said:
Maybe, but as a single camera I don't really want crop. Now if someone near me had one I could try I'd consider then picking up a used one. Not a bad idea.
Jack
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Jack Douglas said:
Thanks for the info Jack. I'm in Canada also. I think you got the last one from that stores stock. It was the same store that was offering me the deal about 3 weeks ago. Unfortunately I procrastinated and missed out on the deal. The ones they were selling were ones they had purchased from Canon before the April price increases. But oh well I ordered one at the CPS Canada price today...more expensive but I will likely sell my 300 2.8 and maybe 200-400 to cover the expense.
My main reason for getting the 400 instead of just sticking with my 300 is that I want that 800 f/8 option. I have the 1DX2 and the f/8 focus is very impressive. The response is much improved over the 1DX and the ability to use all the points and all the expanded and zone modes is a huge plus. I've tested the 1DX with the 600+2xTC and the 100-400II+1.4TC....both perform so well I really don't feel a huge performance hit for using f/8.
If you plan to use the lens at 800mm than a 1DX2 should be high on your list.
Anyways enjoy the lens, mine is on its way as of this afternoon but UPS often takes a while to get up to the Yukon.
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arbitrage said:
Well, I'm glad to hear there is another Canadian getting the lens. The cost difference isn't enough to fuss about really but who doesn't like a deal.
There must be some very nice photographic opportunities up there. I'd love to hear more and maybe consider heading up with the motorhome, just a 20 footer so fairly maneuverable for campgrounds etc. Solar on top so don't need hook-ups and we enjoy the less frequented areas.
800 F8 is my objective too so if there is a big difference in AF once the 5D4 is tested that would influence my decision. I'll be looking for feedback from you on how much 800 can be cropped on your 1DX II before it's not really acceptable (subjective I know but that's what I'll be trying to figure out). AlanF will be helping in this regard I'm sure since his standard is pretty high. For now I'm glad I've delayed the camera purchase. Funny, three of us buying at exactly the same time!
If you camera suggestion is heard by my wife she'll be unrelenting in pushing the 1DX II, believe me, cause it's "the best".
Jack
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I received the 300L II and 500L II yesterday. First impression is that the boxes that the lenses came in are HUGE. And I don't mean the hard-cover lens case. And I also don't mean the cardboard box that contained the hard-cover lens case. I am referring to the second cardboard box that contained the first cardboard box, which contained the hard-cover lens case. And it was HEAVY too lol
In all seriousness, LOVE the secure packaging. Much appreciated. Once I got through all the packaging, and managed to attach the lens to my 5dm3, I was floored at how heavy everything was, esp. the 500L. Before receiving these two lenses, my biggest (e.g. physically) lens was the 100-400L II, so the 500L is quite an arm breaker lol
Can't wait to use both though!!
In all seriousness, LOVE the secure packaging. Much appreciated. Once I got through all the packaging, and managed to attach the lens to my 5dm3, I was floored at how heavy everything was, esp. the 500L. Before receiving these two lenses, my biggest (e.g. physically) lens was the 100-400L II, so the 500L is quite an arm breaker lol
Can't wait to use both though!!
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Ming-Tzu said:
And we can't wait to see the photos. Good news is that you do get used to the weight!
Jack
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My EF 400mm f/4 DO II arrived just after lunch today and I spent the afternoon AFMAing it on the 5DS R plus 1.4x and 2xTC III. Then, I tested it on charts to compare with the 300mm f/2.8 II and other lenses.
My past experience with the TCs on the 300mm f/2/8 II and the 5DS R is that the 1.4xTC gives little decrease in IQ whereas the 2x TC gives a big hit. On the 5DIII, there is much less of a hit by the 2xTC, in line with MTF measurements by objektivtest.se. I found today in resolution tests:
400mm DO II at 400mm f/4, marginally better resoltuion than 300mm f/2.8 + 1.4xTC III @ 420mm.
400mm DO II +1.4xTC III at f/5.6 better resolution than 300mm f/2/8 + 2xTC III @ 600mm
400mm DO II + 2xTC III at f/8 still very sharp, with less of a TC hit on IQ than for the 300mm.
The IS at 800mm is quite remarkable - the image is rock steady in the viewfinder.
So, my initial feelings are very positive, and I'll be using the 400 DO II a lot, and can't wait to use it in the field at 800mm and for birds in flight at lower focal lengths. My intuition is that 800mm on lower pixel FF will outperform, just, 560mm on the 5DS R.
Will this lens transform my bird photography? No, but it will increase my range and number of keepers.
(By the way Jack, I found this packing note left in the box by mistake: "High specification copy for UK. Reroute 2nd grade to Canada at discount prices.")
My past experience with the TCs on the 300mm f/2/8 II and the 5DS R is that the 1.4xTC gives little decrease in IQ whereas the 2x TC gives a big hit. On the 5DIII, there is much less of a hit by the 2xTC, in line with MTF measurements by objektivtest.se. I found today in resolution tests:
400mm DO II at 400mm f/4, marginally better resoltuion than 300mm f/2.8 + 1.4xTC III @ 420mm.
400mm DO II +1.4xTC III at f/5.6 better resolution than 300mm f/2/8 + 2xTC III @ 600mm
400mm DO II + 2xTC III at f/8 still very sharp, with less of a TC hit on IQ than for the 300mm.
The IS at 800mm is quite remarkable - the image is rock steady in the viewfinder.
So, my initial feelings are very positive, and I'll be using the 400 DO II a lot, and can't wait to use it in the field at 800mm and for birds in flight at lower focal lengths. My intuition is that 800mm on lower pixel FF will outperform, just, 560mm on the 5DS R.
Will this lens transform my bird photography? No, but it will increase my range and number of keepers.
(By the way Jack, I found this packing note left in the box by mistake: "High specification copy for UK. Reroute 2nd grade to Canada at discount prices.")
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Alan, you made my day! ;D
BUT, How is it possible you got yours ahead of me!
800 news is what I've been most interested in, seems our wants/needs align.
Jack
BUT, How is it possible you got yours ahead of me!
800 news is what I've been most interested in, seems our wants/needs align.
Jack
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