I've started shopping for Great whites... and I mean great... someone stop me.

[mackguyver]

I'm suddenly charmed by the 400mm DO. Is the contrast really that bad?

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-400mm-f-4.0-DO-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Supposedly the newer lenses are much better than these earlier ones that were tested, and I've seen some great work done with the lens, but I haven't tried it myself. I was a bit torn between this and the 300 f/2.8 IS II, but decided to go for the 300 in the end.

 

[mrsfotografie]

I'm suddenly charmed by the 400mm DO. Is the contrast really that bad?

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-400mm-f-4.0-DO-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Supposedly the newer lenses are much better than these earlier ones that were tested, and I've seen some great work done with the lens, but I haven't tried it myself. I was a bit torn between this and the 300 f/2.8 IS II, but decided to go for the 300 in the end.

Yes if you look at size and converter compatibility, the 300 f/2.8 II IS is the better choice. Not sure when and if I will go that route.

 

[Deleted member 91053]

I have now tried 3 different 400 DO lenses.
I would have ditched my 300 F2.8 in a heartbeat for the first 2 - but they were too expensive! True colours and contrast were slightly muted , but the sharpness and resolution put my (then) 600 F4 to shame - without moving closer for the shorter focal length. Frankly I was amazed at the lenses as they were so good at the things I thought they would be poor at!
Recently I got the opportunity to buy another example at a very reasonable price so I jumped at the opportunity. It was at a local nature reserve so I had the chance to try a few live subjects compared to my 300 F2.8 IS Mk1 both with and without extenders. Now I was amazed in the opposite direction, the 400 DO was good but couldn't live with my 300 F2.8??
The moral is try before you buy. I didn't know they varied so much!

 

[l_d_allan]

I must be going a little nuts... I'm looking at 200-400's, 300/400 f/2.8's... and I'm seeing the price tag... and I thinking... "That's not bad."

As the kids say ... "1st world problem". Count your blessings that you are apparently pretty well off.

 

[mrsfotografie]

I must be going a little nuts... I'm looking at 200-400's, 300/400 f/2.8's... and I'm seeing the price tag... and I thinking... "That's not bad."

As the kids say ... "1st world problem". Count your blessings that you are apparently pretty well off.

+1, that's a bit of a stretch but I find I'm looking at (used) lenses in the 5000 euro range now (!!!) so apparently the comfort zone increases as far as the wallet can take it...

 

[l_d_allan]

I find I'm looking at (used) lenses in the 5000 euro range now (!!!) so apparently the comfort zone increases as far as the wallet can take it...

You (and the OP) could consider renting the "Chess Board set" from Lensrentals:
http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/canon/lenses/supertelephoto/lensrentals-chess-set

shipping is $1100 to $2400, depending on location.

 

[mrsfotografie]

I find I'm looking at (used) lenses in the 5000 euro range now (!!!) so apparently the comfort zone increases as far as the wallet can take it...

You (and the OP) could consider renting the "Chess Board set" from Lensrentals:
http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/canon/lenses/supertelephoto/lensrentals-chess-set

shipping is $1100 to $2400, depending on location.

That's a really great idea ;D