Ef 200-400 1.4 vs 70-200 2.8 mk2 cropped or with 2x tele, or crop sensor body?

[FEBS]

Is the 1-stop improvement in JPEG or RAW?

Raw

I ask questions in order to learn. Having been stimulated by your comments to look at a series of careful reviews, I see that up to iso 3200 there is little difference in practice between the 1D X and 5DIII noise, then the 1 DX begins to pull away, as you intimate. As I am interested in very fine details in plumage etc, I tend to shoot at 640 and max out at 1600 so the difference doesn't really affect me but I can see where it would help some others. Thanks for your help as I have never handled a 1D X and have to rely on others for advice.

No problem Alan. I'm also here to learn and where it is possible I give answers. I do understand now that you look for the very fine detail. I rather take sports. In sports a ISO 6400 of a 5d3 is still acceptable if applied the correct post processing. As mentioned before, I have no problem to go to 12800 or even 25600 on the 1dx. Mostly caused that after post processing you can't tell the difference with a 5d3 @ 6400iso. Yes, this is based on practice.

I know you are a big fan of the tamron 150-600. I have seen many times your replies and advices there about. I did read them a lot and enjoyed your experience with that big Ron. At the end I did however strike it from the short list to go on safari. I do have the 300 2.8 II, but my biggest concern was constantly changing extenders. Also for sports I would like the versatility of a zoom. At the end I pulled the trigger and bought the 200-400. I know it's bigger and heavier then the 150-600, but the iq is excellent from 200 till 560. I have also seen pictures on 784mm of that lens and they really looked good. This however I still have to test myself because I have to find out if it is ok for me on the way I use it. Perhaps, this might be a negative property of myself, but I like to see and test it myself before I will tell something here on the forum.

 

[AlanF]

The 300mm f/2.8 II is my favourite lens and I preferentially use it on birding trips at home. But, the Tamron 150-600mm is good enough and is just so convenient for travel when I have to fly for a holiday. But, if I were to go on a specialist birding trip abroad or go on safari again I would take the 300 + extenders on the 5DIII and the 70-200 f/4 IS + 70D.