Photos from 200-400. Also any comments...

[eml58]

Has anyone used this lens in lower lighting conditions? There's a few shots in this thread that look like they were taken around dusk and turned out pretty well, but I'm curious about a bit more input. I'm looking into getting my first "big white" and am mostly interested in this lens vs the 400 2.8.

I have had both Lenses on Safari, used both in low light/Dusk/Dawn shooting, the question is a good one and it's probably the biggest decision maker between these two lenses other than Sharpness. I've sold my 400f/2.8 L II since buying the 200-400f/4 but only after doing two Safari Trips with both Lenses to compare, and bringing along my 300f/2.8 L II as well.

I sold the 400f/2.8 II as I feel the versatility of the 200-400f/4 works for me in my own style of imaging to the point where the 400 was no longer necessary, but, this decision becomes easier when you have the 300f/2.8 II sitting waiting for those extreme low light situations.

The 400f/2.8 II is always going to be the better low light Lens, caveat here being what your shooting the lens on, I use the 1Dx and I find the combo unbeatable, the 5DMK III I also shoot with and it is not as good as the 1Dx in low light. The 400f/2.8 obviously has a full stop more light to play with over the 200-400f/4.

The 200-400f/4 though is no slouch in the low light department, what I have found is I simply operate the 200-400f/4 at 1600 or 2500 ISO where I would have operated the 400f/2.8 II at say 800 or 1250 ISO, any graining I take care of in Post. This is where the lighting conditions require higher ISO, otherwise during normal light conditions I would operate either lens at a Base 400, rarely do I shoot lower than ISO400.

Image quality comparisons I've found they two Lenses, same Length, same ISO same f/stop, are pretty evenly matched, again, I feel the Primes will always out the Zooms, but the 200-400f/4 compared to the 200f/2 (@f4) the 300f/2.8 II (@f4) the 400f/2.8 II (@f/4) the 600 f/4 (@f/5.6) and the 200-400 f/4 @ f/4 200/300/400 & 600 similar set up, you are going to find you need to go to zoom in quite a bit to begin to see the benefits IQ wise of the Primes over the Zoom, the 200-400f/4 is the best I have seen when comparing zoom to prime.

My feel is if you concentrate your imaging on low light you may want to go for the Primes, if your low light is say 10% of your Imaging, as is my own case, the Zooms versatility and first class IQ makes the 200-400 a better all round tool.

But that is an opinion knowing that I always have the 300f/2.8 II sitting ready for those low light extremes.

The attached were both shot @ ISO2500.

The Bush Baby with the 400f/2.8 II @ f/2.8

The Female Lion wight he 200-400f/4 @ f/5.6 560mm.

Not a true test of apples with apples, but both Lenses, on the 1Dx, work well in low light.

Both Images were shot with the 600EX-RT for fill flash.

Both Images shot well after sun down full dark, Both Images were shot with Spot light to gain focus, without the spot light neither shot could be achieved as no light/no focus.

This is one area where the f/2.8 will always out the f/4, a point where it's just too dark for the f/4 to achieve focus and the f/2.8 possibly still can.

 

[Rienzphotoz]

Has anyone used this lens in lower lighting conditions? There's a few shots in this thread that look like they were taken around dusk and turned out pretty well, but I'm curious about a bit more input. I'm looking into getting my first "big white" and am mostly interested in this lens vs the 400 2.8.

I have had both Lenses on Safari, used both in low light/Dusk/Dawn shooting, the question is a good one and it's probably the biggest decision maker between these two lenses other than Sharpness. I've sold my 400f/2.8 L II since buying the 200-400f/4 but only after doing two Safari Trips with both Lenses to compare, and bringing along my 300f/2.8 L II as well.

I sold the 400f/2.8 II as I feel the versatility of the 200-400f/4 works for me in my own style of imaging to the point where the 400 was no longer necessary, but, this decision becomes easier when you have the 300f/2.8 II sitting waiting for those extreme low light situations.

The 400f/2.8 II is always going to be the better low light Lens, caveat here being what your shooting the lens on, I use the 1Dx and I find the combo unbeatable, the 5DMK III I also shoot with and it is not as good as the 1Dx in low light. The 400f/2.8 obviously has a full stop more light to play with over the 200-400f/4.

The 200-400f/4 though is no slouch in the low light department, what I have found is I simply operate the 200-400f/4 at 1600 or 2500 ISO where I would have operated the 400f/2.8 II at say 800 or 1250 ISO, any graining I take care of in Post. This is where the lighting conditions require higher ISO, otherwise during normal light conditions I would operate either lens at a Base 400, rarely do I shoot lower than ISO400.

Image quality comparisons I've found they two Lenses, same Length, same ISO same f/stop, are pretty evenly matched, again, I feel the Primes will always out the Zooms, but the 200-400f/4 compared to the 200f/2 (@f4) the 300f/2.8 II (@f4) the 400f/2.8 II (@f/4) the 600 f/4 (@f/5.6) and the 200-400 f/4 @ f/4 200/300/400 & 600 similar set up, you are going to find you need to go to zoom in quite a bit to begin to see the benefits IQ wise of the Primes over the Zoom, the 200-400f/4 is the best I have seen when comparing zoom to prime.

My feel is if you concentrate your imaging on low light you may want to go for the Primes, if your low light is say 10% of your Imaging, as is my own case, the Zooms versatility and first class IQ makes the 200-400 a better all round tool.

But that is an opinion knowing that I always have the 300f/2.8 II sitting ready for those low light extremes.

The attached were both shot @ ISO2500.

The Bush Baby with the 400f/2.8 II @ f/2.8

The Female Lion wight he 200-400f/4 @ f/5.6 560mm.

Not a true test of apples with apples, but both Lenses, on the 1Dx, work well in low light.

Both Images were shot with the 600EX-RT for fill flash.

Both Images shot well after sun down full dark, Both Images were shot with Spot light to gain focus, without the spot light neither shot could be achieved as no light/no focus.

This is one area where the f/2.8 will always out the f/4, a point where it's just too dark for the f/4 to achieve focus and the f/2.8 possibly still can.

That Lioness looks p!ssed ... great shot.

 

[eml58]

That Lioness looks p!ssed ... great shot.

I was actually out of the vehicle taking a leak when I looked down slope and saw this Lady heading my way, with intent I'm sure. I can tell you i squeezed off pretty quick.

As soon as I got back into the vehicle she stopped and seemed confused, it's amazing how habituated these Animals get to the vehicle, in the vehicle they don't seem to see you as Food, out of the vehicle you really do become part of the Food Chain.

I grabbed a dozen Images before jumping back into the Vehicle, love that 12fps on the 1Dx.

 

[eml58]

Tanzania 2013

1Dx 200-400f/4

Trying to get this to 8 Pages

 

[sanj]

Masai Mara

 

[eml58]

Masai Mara

Lovely Shot Sanj, hard to get these Guys into anything that resembles Photogenic I feel, but the background in this Image does this a treat.

Love the Masai Mara, heading back 2014 for the Crossing on the Masai Mara side, did it mostly from The Serengeti this Year but missed the Crossing action by 3 days, still a great Tanzania experience though.

8 Pages and counting.

 

[sanj]

Cats will be cats.

 

[sanj]

Masai Mara

Lovely Shot Sanj, hard to get these Guys into anything that resembles Photogenic I feel, but the background in this Image does this a treat.

Love the Masai Mara, heading back 2014 for the Crossing on the Masai Mara side, did it mostly from The Serengeti this Year but missed the Crossing action by 3 days, still a great Tanzania experience though.

8 Pages and counting.

Yeah Eml the landscape where I took the giraffe photo was very nice. Best wishes for your next trip.

 

[Eldar]

Cats will be cats.

Great shot Sanj. Lighting, composition, movement. Very nice!

 

[Eldar]

Food in sight!
1DX, 200-400 f4L IS 1.4x, 560mm, f6.3, 1/200s, ISO1000

 

[Northstar]

Food in sight!
1DX, 200-400 f4L IS 1.4x, 560mm, f6.3, 1/200s, ISO1000

Eldar...are these wild? Timberwolves are so hard to capture that just getting an image of wild wolves is great. Nice shot! Looks like you focused on the Alpha.

I like how you've composed this shot....lynx and wolves are two challenging subjects....impressive work!

If wild, what happened next...did they spot/smell you?

What are they preoccupied with?

 

[Northstar]

Cats will be cats.

Sanj...these are great shots, keep posting. Great quality!

 

[Eldar]

Food in sight!
1DX, 200-400 f4L IS 1.4x, 560mm, f6.3, 1/200s, ISO1000

Eldar...are these wild? Timberwolves are so hard to capture that just getting an image of wild wolves is great. Nice shot! Looks like you focused on the Alpha.

I like how you've composed this shot....lynx and wolves are two challenging subjects....impressive work!

If wild, what happened next...did they spot/smell you?

What are they preoccupied with?

The lynx was pure luck. I was out to shoot moose when the lynx came. It has never happened before and I don´t believe I will experience that again, but I sure will try.

The wolfs are wild, but I had some expert help who led me to them. We were in a hideout, with the wind against us, so they did not spot us. There was a crack in the forest to our right and the alpha, which I assume the standing wolf was, jumped to his feet and by the next crack they were gone. Poor moose I guess, but great experience.

 

[eml58]

The lynx was pure luck. I was out to shoot moose when the lynx came. It has never happened before and I don´t believe I will experience that again, but I sure will try.

The wolfs are wild, but I had some expert help who led me to them. We were in a hideout, with the wind against us, so they did not spot us. There was a crack in the forest to our right and the alpha, which I assume the standing wolf was, jumped to his feet and by the next crack they were gone. Poor moose I guess, but great experience.

Agree with Northstar Eldar, your Images of Lynx, Fox & wolves are wonderful, all very different subjects to what we as Photographers get to see & Photograph, the Lynx & wolves are as well somewhat endangered so it's such a treat to see Images in the Wild like this.

How about an Amur Tiger next ?? Oh sorry, wrong Country

 

[eml58]

Cats will be cats.

Nice Sanj, the background looks like the Wildebeest lawn mowers have been through.

 

[Northstar]

Food in sight!
1DX, 200-400 f4L IS 1.4x, 560mm, f6.3, 1/200s, ISO1000

Eldar...are these wild? Timberwolves are so hard to capture that just getting an image of wild wolves is great. Nice shot! Looks like you focused on the Alpha.

I like how you've composed this shot....lynx and wolves are two challenging subjects....impressive work!

If wild, what happened next...did they spot/smell you?

What are they preoccupied with?

The lynx was pure luck. I was out to shoot moose when the lynx came. It has never happened before and I don´t believe I will experience that again, but I sure will try.

The wolfs are wild, but I had some expert help who led me to them. We were in a hideout, with the wind against us, so they did not spot us. There was a crack in the forest to our right and the alpha, which I assume the standing wolf was, jumped to his feet and by the next crack they were gone. Poor moose I guess, but great experience.

Eldar, thanks for sharing.

With the wolf photograph, I cropped it a bit so we could see him up close....the energy/intensity can be felt.

Love the shot.

 

[Eldar]

Agree with Northstar Eldar, your Images of Lynx, Fox & wolves are wonderful, all very different subjects to what we as Photographers get to see & Photograph, the Lynx & wolves are as well somewhat endangered so it's such a treat to see Images in the Wild like this.

How about an Amur Tiger next ?? Oh sorry, wrong Country

Thanks Northstar and Edward. Again, it was a moment I will find it hard to repeat. And I agree Northstar, looking at the posture and look of the alpha really radiates energy and alertness.

And for the exotic cats Edward, if I came across an Amur Tiger or Snow Leopard in these parts of the world, I think it would be front page news for a while

 

[eml58]

Svalbard 2013

1Dx 200-400f/4
Shot @ 560mm f/5.6 & 1/250th ISO320

Shot from the Zodiac, we followed this Guy for miles, in & out of the water, amazing Energy levels these Animals have, they litterly swim hundreds of Kilometres. Longest recorded is over 400 Miles during a 9 Day swim, amazing stuff.

The possibility that in 50 years they will no longer be around in the Wild is just so Sad.

 

[dslrdummy]

Svalbard 2013

1Dx 200-400f/4
Shot @ 560mm f/5.6 & 1/250th ISO320

Shot from the Zodiac, we followed this Guy for miles, in & out of the water, amazing Energy levels these Animals have, they litterly swim hundreds of Kilometres. Longest recorded is over 400 Miles during a 9 Day swim, amazing stuff.

The possibility that in 50 years they will no longer be around in the Wild is just so Sad.

Beautiful shot and subject, as are all your shots. Amazing that you could get this shot from a zodiac at that focal length @ 1/250. It conveys the movement in his paw while otherwise maintaining sharpness. A tribute to your skills and to the quality of the lens. Out of interest, what IS setting do you most commonly use and how do you find the IS compared to your version II primes?
I would love this lens for its versatility but it is a reach too far at AUD$13,000. Am seriously looking at the 500ii at $10,500 on the basis that I can get 700mm with the 1.4x extender for wildlife and still use it @ 500mm for outdoor sports, light permitting.
Love looking at the pics and dreaming, please keep them coming.

 

[eml58]

Beautiful shot and subject, as are all your shots. Amazing that you could get this shot from a zodiac at that focal length @ 1/250. It conveys the movement in his paw while otherwise maintaining sharpness. A tribute to your skills and to the quality of the lens. Out of interest, what IS setting do you most commonly use and how do you find the IS compared to your version II primes?
I would love this lens for its versatility but it is a reach too far at AUD$13,000. Am seriously looking at the 500ii at $10,500 on the basis that I can get 700mm with the 1.4x extender for wildlife and still use it @ 500mm for outdoor sports, light permitting.
Love looking at the pics and dreaming, please keep them coming.

Thanks dslrdummy, it's certainly a challenge, we were fortunate here as we were in a protected Cove and the swell was minimal plus only 4 Photographers in the Zodiac helped, but on other days I managed to get a load of Images with 1/2 a Polar Bear, or none. In this Image we had been following the is Guy for a while, looking ahead I could see he was likely to make a jump between the Rocks so I slowed the shutter thinking I'de get one of those blurred Images, but kept focus on his head & eye wanting that part to stay in Focus, didn't quite work how I thought, Animals often don't get the Memo, but worked Ok.

I almost exclusively use Mode 1 on the IS, sometimes Mode 2 if I'm shooting Cheetah running down a Kill, and this is similar on my use of my 300f/2.8 II & 600f/4 II. The IS seems no different between all my Primes and the Zoom, works just amazingly well, I find the 300f/2.8 II will focus marginally quicker than any of the others, but the difference is marginal. I do see a slightly darker Image when I flip in the 1.4x, but I compensate by shooting the 200-400f/4 at slightly higher ISO than I would say one of the Primes.

I've not owned the 500f/4 II but I understand it's every bit as good as the other Version II lenses, I did own & use a lot the 400f/2.8 II but sold it when I purchased and had used the 200-400f/4 for a couple of trips. But the 400f/2.8 II with the 1.4x was a pretty good piece of gear, if I didn't still own the 300f/2.8 II I would certainly have kept the 400 if only for that f/2.8

And yes the AUD prices are pretty horrific, I'm an Aussie myself but I've lived in Singapore/Jakarta now for 30 years (but moving the Family back next year at long last), so I'm used to dealing with one particular company here that give me USD base prices (B&H/Adorama) less the 7% GST refund when I fly out next time I leave Singapore, I'm a Resident not a Citizen so GST refund works for me. If your planning a trip through Singapore worth looking at, you could save at least AUD1200 off that Aussie price of 13k. Unfortunately your getting it both ways now, AUD weak against the USD & Aussie Tax.

Only place I know off hand that gets a worse deal are South Africans, the 200-400f/4 is around 18k USD there, I don't think there's many favours done for Europeans as well.