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

[LSeries]

Do you think that EF 300mm f/2.8L II + 2x III would be a realistic option to get 600mm f/5.6 with IS for birding? I've seen some really sharp images taken with this combination, but still not sure if it's worth the price. It's possible to get the lense only for 5500 euros and I already happen to have the 2x III. Also the size and weight of this combo would be rather low. Or should just I save and get the EF 600mm f/4L II for twice price? It's a bit on the big side, though.

 

[meywd]

get both

 

[LSeries]

get both

Yeah, I certainly would if I were rich

 

[meywd]

get both

Yeah, I certainly would if I were rich

Since the 600 f4 II is not over your budget, it boils down to whether you want to handhold or not, I have not used any of these lenses, but if I had the choice, I would get the 600 + 2x TC = 1200 which would be great, then I would wish for a hand-holdable option, at that time I would buy the 300mm.

 

[candyman]

get both

Yeah, I certainly would if I were rich

Since the 600 f4 II is not over your budget, it boils down to whether you want to handhold or not, I have not used any of these lenses, but if I had the choice, I would get the 600 + 2x TC = 1200 which would be great, then I would wish for a hand-holdable option, at that time I would buy the 300mm.

Or...get the 500 f/4 II and use it with 1.4x @700 f/5.6 and still being able to handhold the lens :

 

[Eimajm]

Why a 600mm and not 500? 500mm is a much more flexible length on a crop body than 600mm, going to 700mm with 1.4 and 1000 with 2x. I have often been situations wishing I had a greater field view that would come from a 300mm or FF camera, but have never wished for a 600mm over my 500mm.
I think you would be missing a trick if you didn't seriously consider the 500mm.

 

[LovePhotography]

I have the 300, 600 2Xiii and 7D2. Tried multiple combinations. But never on BIF. Hell, hand held, I have trouble keeping the moon in the frame handheld using the 600, 2X, and 7D2. I can't imagine trying to get a BIF hand held with the 600, 2X, and 7D2.
As for the 300 + TC vs the 600 alone. For the money, I'd go with the 300 plus the TC you already have. Not much different unless you are ONE HELL of a great photographer. Weight and maneuverability alone would limit your captures versus the 300 plus TC...

 

[AlanF]

My style is to use a camera and telephoto without a tripod and hand held because most of the time I walk around looking for small birds perched in the wild. I don't use mirror lock up to minimise vibration etc and so possibly don't get the best out of my gear. Having said that, I have the 5DII, 7DII, 300mm and 100-400 II. Whereas the 300 + 2xTC is absolutely brilliantly sharp on the 5DIII it isn't nearly as good on the 7DII or before that the 70D. My favourite combo is the 5DIII + 300 + 2xTC followed by the 7DII + 100-400 II +/- 1.4xTC for birding. Though for longer walks I use the 7DII.

 

[Deleted member 91053]

I use the Canon 300 F2.8 L IS Mk1 with a 2 x Mk3 extender and used to have to Canon 600 F4 L IS Mk1 so I compared them directly.
The 600 is bigger and heavier but better. The images are sharper, more detailed and hold up better in poorer light. Having said that, if the light is good, then the 300 + 2 x Mk3 can produce VERY good results. Attached is the 4th (I think) image I took with the 300 + 2 x Mk3 - un edited/sharpened etc.
There have been minor improvements in the 300 F2.8 Mk 2 and more significant improvements in the 600 F4 Mk2 so I would still expect the 600 to be better but at the expense of mobility and your wallet!
It is all down to your personal needs.

 

[Busted Knuckles]

$6,000 vs. $12,000 - why are you asking?

 

[Busted Knuckles]

Rent the 600 and decide for yourself - I know it seems trifling to think that a $6,000 lens with a $500 TC could match as $12,000 lens. Perhaps you might be asking if the extra $5,500 is "worth it."

If you have to ask, it isn't. Then again, there are other questions you should ask.

 

[Jack Douglas]

Can't do it with my 6D but the 1D4 gave me this with 300 X2, 1250th, F10, ISO 640, just a few days ago. I'm pleased to have got it but not totally thrilled with the IQ. Anyway, that's what I got with 600 and 1.3 crop and 1.6 crop will be trickier. You have to get a lock before the moment or it's hopeless.

It's hard to come up with a more versatile lighter combination, with 300 2.8 being available when you need it. I've thought this through many times, FWIW

Jack

 

[Eldar]

Can't do it with my 6D but the 1D4 gave me this with 300 X2, 1250th, F10, ISO 640, just a few days ago. I'm pleased to have got it but not totally thrilled with the IQ. Anyway, that's what I got with 600 and 1.3 crop and 1.6 crop will be trickier. You have to get a lock before the moment or it's hopeless.

It's hard to come up with a more versatile lighter combination, with 300 2.8 being available when you need it. I've thought this through many times, FWIW

Jack

I think you have every right to be happy with this one. If you beat yourself up for this kind of IQ, then you´ll end up with very few keepers over a year

 

[candyman]

I think you have every right to be happy with this one. If you beat yourself up for this kind of IQ, then you´ll end up with very few keepers over a year

Totally agree!

Can't do it with my 6D but the 1D4 gave me this with 300 X2, 1250th, F10, ISO 640, just a few days ago. I'm pleased to have got it but not totally thrilled with the IQ. Anyway, that's what I got with 600 and 1.3 crop and 1.6 crop will be trickier. You have to get a lock before the moment or it's hopeless.It's hard to come up with a more versatile lighter combination, with 300 2.8 being available when you need it. I've thought this through many times, FWIWJack

Wonderful capture!

 

[meywd]

I think you have every right to be happy with this one. If you beat yourself up for this kind of IQ, then you´ll end up with very few keepers over a year

Totally agree!

Can't do it with my 6D but the 1D4 gave me this with 300 X2, 1250th, F10, ISO 640, just a few days ago. I'm pleased to have got it but not totally thrilled with the IQ. Anyway, that's what I got with 600 and 1.3 crop and 1.6 crop will be trickier. You have to get a lock before the moment or it's hopeless.It's hard to come up with a more versatile lighter combination, with 300 2.8 being available when you need it. I've thought this through many times, FWIWJack

Wonderful capture!

+1

 

[arbitrage]

The 300II + 2xIII is a deadly combo on the 7D2 (and even on the 1DX if you get close enough). I use mine a lot and I also have the 600II. The 600II for me is not about getting 600, it is getting out to 840 (where I use it most) and 1200mm. The 300+2x is good enough at 600 that it closely rivals the bare 600.

All of these images are 7D2 300II 2xIII.

 

[Hjalmarg1]

get both

Yeah, I certainly would if I were rich

+1, I have seen very good images captured with this combo. It's a very handholdable combination for birding.

 

[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.

 

[adhocphotographer]

I was in the same situation a while ago, and went for the compromise... the 500L....

Smaller and lighter than the 600 (and cheaper). Longer than the 300. Works well with 1.4x TC and even 2X....

I'm very happy with my choice... but I'm also sure i would love the 300 2.8 too!

500L IS II would be my advice... keep the couple of $K difference and go on a great birding trip somewhere!

 

[Deleted member 7828]

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.