EF 300mm f/2.8L II + 2x III (with Canon 7D mk II) or...?

[Jack Douglas]

Thanks guys for the kind words on the eagle. I am the type that is never satisfied so it helps to hear these comments. The eagles on Haida Gwaii were plentiful, especially when the Haida were cleaning fish! Actually, unbelievable and I missed so many but got some nice ones. Sadly, I crossed to the mainland of BC, Canada by ferry today. What a wonderful place. I was told by the locals that National Geographic was there very recently and was asked if I was part of them - kept gawking at 300 X2! Got a free fresh Sockeye salmon meal - yum. Go if you ever get the opportunity.

Peace! 300 X2 1D4 800th F5.6, less than 1/10 of the frame.

Jack

 

[candyman]

Thanks guys for the kind words on the eagle. I am the type that is never satisfied so it helps to hear these comments. The eagles on Haida Gwaii were plentiful, especially when the Haida were cleaning fish! Actually, unbelievable and I missed so many but got some nice ones. Sadly, I crossed to the mainland of BC, Canada by ferry today. What a wonderful place. I was told by the locals that National Geographic was there very recently and was asked if I was part of them - kept gawking at 300 X2! Got a free fresh Sockeye salmon meal - yum. Go if you ever get the opportunity.

Peace! 300 X2 1D4 800th F5.6, less than 1/10 of the frame.

Jack

You made me laugh with this photo and 'peace'. Brilliant!
I probably will not have that opportunity. But I enjoy the posts here in this thread. So many beautiful photos!

 

[Hector1970]

Very impressed with your BIF photographs.
Is there any website or book that's particularly good at giving tips how to do this well.
I was trying some of this last weekend with a 7D II and a 100-400mm II.
I found it difficult. Wasn't sure which were the best focusing settings on the camera to use.
I was trying to catch Puffins in flight which is a relatively small bird who can move fast.
The camera (or me) couldn't focus quick enough.
I found it very hard to track them and pan with them.
I was doing it handheld. Maybe people normally do it with a gimbal head.
I found Gannets (which is a much bigger bird) easier to catch but had alot of misses too.
I assume lots of misses can be quite normal.
I found the camera at times refocusing to the cliff behind.
I have thought of a Canon 300mm 2.8 with a TC II combination.
I'm very interested in the comments so far but I need to learn a good technique first I think.

I did mange to catch them taking off a few times. The Puffin is a beauiful bird with a great face.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/fergalocallaghan/17951838059/

 

[meywd]

Very impressed with your BIF photographs.
Is there any website or book that's particularly good at giving tips how to do this well.
I was trying some of this last weekend with a 7D II and a 100-400mm II.
I found it difficult. Wasn't sure which were the best focusing settings on the camera to use.
I was trying to catch Puffins in flight which is a relatively small bird who can move fast.
The camera (or me) couldn't focus quick enough.
I found it very hard to track them and pan with them.
I was doing it handheld. Maybe people normally do it with a gimbal head.
I found Gannets (which is a much bigger bird) easier to catch but had alot of misses too.
I assume lots of misses can be quite normal.
I found the camera at times refocusing to the cliff behind.
I have thought of a Canon 300mm 2.8 with a TC II combination.
I'm very interested in the comments so far but I need to learn a good technique first I think.

I did mange to catch them taking off a few times. The Puffin is a beauiful bird with a great face.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/fergalocallaghan/17951838059/

Yeah wonderful shots Jack, I am also interested in BIF and would like to know the settings used, when I got the 5D III I started to search for the best settings for it, I think the 7D II has a more advanced AF system, but most of the settings are the same as in the 5D III, I have now two custom modes (c2,c3) for BIF, I use C3 for BIF and C2 for birds taking flight or landing:

C2:

• M
• 1/2000 and faster
• f/5.6-f/8
• Auto ISO
• AI Servo
• High Speed Conttinuous
• Case 5 with -1,2,1
• AI Servo 1st and 2nd image priority @ Equal
• Lens drive when AF impossible OFF

C3:

• AV
• F/8
• Auto ISO
• AI Servo
• High Speed Conttinuous
• Case 2 with -1,0,0
• AI Servo 1st and 2nd image priority @ Equal
• Lens drive when AF impossible ON

btw, beautiful shot Hector.

 

[tron]

I have a reservation about focusing capabilities of a 300 2.8 + 2X combination (even with the latest versions)

Have you considered a 400mm DO II with 1.4X ?

 

[Jack Douglas]

More later since I'm on the road and need to get to Rosswood BC for a try at sighting the Kermode (white) bear before heading down 16 (Yellowhead) towards Alberta.

Strong plug for back button focus. Yes, 300 X2 can be slow (or fast). Much worse with 1D4 than 6D but there is a solution - focus to a reasonable distance so you can see a bird that comes into the viewfinder well enough to know you've got it. Then track it visually and only hit the back button focus when you've got it nailed. It will focus instantly and then the challenge is to stay steady with the camera. Fairly easy for an eagle but near impossible for many birds.

I'm NO expert on this.

Jack

 

[tron]

The 7DII can react quite differently from FF to different lenses. The 300mm f/2.8 II looks a much better bet than the 400mm f/5.6 DO II on the 7DII, although the contest is not clear on FF.

7DII 300mmx1.4 at 420mm f/4 vs 400mm DO II - the DO may be marginally better at f/4, but the 300x1.4 has slightly longer focal length that compensates.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=739&Camera=963&Sample=0&FLI=1&API=1&LensComp=962&CameraComp=963&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0


7DII 300mmx2 at 600mm f/8 vs 400mmx1.6 at 560 - the 300x2 is marginally better and has longer f

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=739&Camera=963&Sample=0&FLI=2&API=4&LensComp=962&CameraComp=963&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=1&APIComp=3

7DII 300mmx2 at 600mm f/8 vs 400mmx2 at 800 - there is serious degradation of the DO's image

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=739&Camera=963&Sample=0&FLI=2&API=4&LensComp=962&CameraComp=963&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=2&APIComp=2

This has put me off buying the 400 DO II even if it ever becomes available here.

But...re-do the 300 + 2.0x vs. 400 DO + 1.4x at f5.6 and the 400 comes out ahead. The 300 + 2.0x seems to struggle a bit at 5.6 and needs to be stopped down to 6.3 or narrower for reasonable results. In the evening, when every bit of light counts, it can make a difference.

That said, I'm wrestling with the same decision (a super-tele lens for 7D2) and I keep going back and forth. I also had the 500 f4 in mind but I want something I can carry for an extended period of time without a tripod/monopod. Not making the decision easier is the fact I also have a 5D3 I use for events/general photography, and in this price range I'm also evaluating versatility.

Exactly Act444 is right: According to TDP 400DOII+1.4XIII is better than 300LISII+2XIII
Plus, focusing with a 2X teleconverter would be difficult even with a III version of teleconverter...

 

[candc]

The problem with the 400doii is you can't get one.I dont know what the deal is with the short supply. I assume canon wants to sell them so they Need to make some first.

 

[AlanF]

The 7DII can react quite differently from FF to different lenses. The 300mm f/2.8 II looks a much better bet than the 400mm f/5.6 DO II on the 7DII, although the contest is not clear on FF.

7DII 300mmx1.4 at 420mm f/4 vs 400mm DO II - the DO may be marginally better at f/4, but the 300x1.4 has slightly longer focal length that compensates.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=739&Camera=963&Sample=0&FLI=1&API=1&LensComp=962&CameraComp=963&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0


7DII 300mmx2 at 600mm f/8 vs 400mmx1.6 at 560 - the 300x2 is marginally better and has longer f

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=739&Camera=963&Sample=0&FLI=2&API=4&LensComp=962&CameraComp=963&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=1&APIComp=3

7DII 300mmx2 at 600mm f/8 vs 400mmx2 at 800 - there is serious degradation of the DO's image

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=739&Camera=963&Sample=0&FLI=2&API=4&LensComp=962&CameraComp=963&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=2&APIComp=2

This has put me off buying the 400 DO II even if it ever becomes available here.

But...re-do the 300 + 2.0x vs. 400 DO + 1.4x at f5.6 and the 400 comes out ahead. The 300 + 2.0x seems to struggle a bit at 5.6 and needs to be stopped down to 6.3 or narrower for reasonable results. In the evening, when every bit of light counts, it can make a difference.

That said, I'm wrestling with the same decision (a super-tele lens for 7D2) and I keep going back and forth. I also had the 500 f4 in mind but I want something I can carry for an extended period of time without a tripod/monopod. Not making the decision easier is the fact I also have a 5D3 I use for events/general photography, and in this price range I'm also evaluating versatility.

Exactly Act444 is right: According to TDP 400DOII+1.4XIII is better than 300LISII+2XIII
Plus, focusing with a 2X teleconverter would be difficult even with a III version of teleconverter...

Have you ever tried focussing with a 300mm/2.8 II + 2xTC III on a 5DIII? It's spot on every time with mine.

 

[Eldar]

Thanks guys for the kind words on the eagle. I am the type that is never satisfied so it helps to hear these comments. The eagles on Haida Gwaii were plentiful, especially when the Haida were cleaning fish! Actually, unbelievable and I missed so many but got some nice ones. Sadly, I crossed to the mainland of BC, Canada by ferry today. What a wonderful place. I was told by the locals that National Geographic was there very recently and was asked if I was part of them - kept gawking at 300 X2! Got a free fresh Sockeye salmon meal - yum. Go if you ever get the opportunity.

Peace! 300 X2 1D4 800th F5.6, less than 1/10 of the frame.

Jack

Jack, this was just awesome!! Could have been the judge in Pink Floyd´s The Wall Excellent!

 

[Deleted member 7828]

Have you ever tried focussing with a 300mm/2.8 II + 2xTC III on a 5DIII? It's spot on every time with mine.

How's the tracking speed?

Also, anyone have experience with this combo on a 7D2?

 

[tron]

The problem with the 400doii is you can't get one.I dont know what the deal is with the short supply. I assume canon wants to sell them so they Need to make some first.

Quite true...

 

[AlanF]

Have you ever tried focussing with a 300mm/2.8 II + 2xTC III on a 5DIII? It's spot on every time with mine.

How's the tracking speed?

Also, anyone have experience with this combo on a 7D2?

It's good on the 5DIII. I don't like the combo on the 7DII - it works fine, focusses well but the images lose the crispness they have on the 5DIII. I was enthusiastic about getting the 400 DO II but the delays have put me off.

 

[tron]

Have you ever tried focussing with a 300mm/2.8 II + 2xTC III on a 5DIII? It's spot on every time with mine.

How's the tracking speed?

Also, anyone have experience with this combo on a 7D2?

It's good on the 5DIII. I don't like the combo on the 7DII - it works fine, focusses well but the images lose the crispness they have on the 5DIII. I was enthusiastic about getting the 400 DO II but the delays have put me off.

Alan thanks for your valuable information.

 

[Deleted member 7828]

Have you ever tried focussing with a 300mm/2.8 II + 2xTC III on a 5DIII? It's spot on every time with mine.

How's the tracking speed?

Also, anyone have experience with this combo on a 7D2?

It's good on the 5DIII. I don't like the combo on the 7DII - it works fine, focusses well but the images lose the crispness they have on the 5DIII. I was enthusiastic about getting the 400 DO II but the delays have put me off.

Thanks, this is good to know.

Sounds like this is not the ideal way to go - a native 400+ mm lens would be better (either bare or 1.4x)

 

[krisbell]

Have you ever tried focussing with a 300mm/2.8 II + 2xTC III on a 5DIII? It's spot on every time with mine.

How's the tracking speed?

It's good on the 5DIII. I don't like the combo on the 7DII - it works fine, focusses well but the images lose the crispness they have on the 5DIII. I was enthusiastic about getting the 400 DO II but the delays have put me off.

I'll just add my perspective to Alan's comments, it is good on the 5D3 in good light, but I have found it to be pretty poor otherwise.

 

[AlanF]

As an addendum, at 420mm with the 1.4xTC III, it is spectacular on the 7DII.

 

[1982chris911]

Why not the 400mm f2.8 IS II ?

It is the most flexible choice if you add TCs in

FF: 400mm @ f2.8 560mm @ f4.0 and 800mm @ f5.6
APS-c: 1.6xFF: 640mm @ f2.8 900mm @f4.0 and 1280mm @f5.6

This covers a lot of focal lengths and the Lens is still way smaller than the 600mm. It is also cheaper and gives you f2.8 for Low Light at a longer focal length than the 300mm. 300mm is a bit short with wild animals, being good in Zoos and controlled Environment like Safari where you can close the distance

 

[Deleted member 7828]

^ won't speak for the OP but for me personally, too heavy and too expensive.

Looks like the 400 DO won't be available any time in the near future, which is just too bad...

 

[meywd]

^ won't speak for the OP but for me personally, too heavy and too expensive.

Looks like the 400 DO won't be available any time in the near future, which is just too bad...

Amazon say they have one