The 100-400 or the 70-200 f2.8 II+2x Mark III for wildlife

[mrsfotografie]

I bought a 100-400 way back in 2005 and it has been on countless safaris since. Used on 2 x 1D, 7D and 1Dx. Never had an issue with dust or anything else. I did actually sell it this year when I bought the new Sigma Sport 120-300. If the mk 2 version eventually appears, I imagine ordering that but in the meantime, I might just buy another used example as it was so convenient. I have a 70-200/II plus converters but there is something nice about that old lump of a lens.

Interesting you should mention the Sigma. How does it play on full frame with teleconverters? Have you used with any ie Canon/Sigma? Please tell.

 

[Don Haines]

Any lens that extends when focusing or zooming will suck in air and then pump it out. The real question is where does the air enter/exit... If it is entering/exiting along the lens barrel then there is no flow of air into the camera body and as a result, no big concerns about dust on the sensor.

 

[candc]

I bought a 100-400 way back in 2005 and it has been on countless safaris since. Used on 2 x 1D, 7D and 1Dx. Never had an issue with dust or anything else. I did actually sell it this year when I bought the new Sigma Sport 120-300. If the mk 2 version eventually appears, I imagine ordering that but in the meantime, I might just buy another used example as it was so convenient. I have a 70-200/II plus converters but there is something nice about that old lump of a lens.

Interesting you should mention the Sigma. How does it play on full frame with teleconverters? Have you used with any ie Canon/Sigma? Please tell.

i read that the new sigma 120-300 does not work well with the sigma converters but have not tried them. i have tried the kenko 300's and the canon iii's. both the 1.4x tc's work well without issue. the kenko/promaster 2x pro af is fast and the iq is good but it overexposes by+1 ev so thats a hassle to compensate for it when you are changing modes and when you take it on and off. the canon 2xiii is a bit slower but seems to have more accurate af and the iq is just as good or better than the kenko.

i have used the lens and tc's on both a 6d and a 70d with good results. its a really versatile lens but i think its better for wildlife on a crop body. at least for small and distant animals and birds in decent light.

it may not be monstrous but its pretty big and its heavy (7 1/2 lbs). if you are going to get it then get the usb dock as well. it allows you to customize the af speed, focus limits, is behavior, ad af tuning.

 

[mrsfotografie]

I bought a 100-400 way back in 2005 and it has been on countless safaris since. Used on 2 x 1D, 7D and 1Dx. Never had an issue with dust or anything else. I did actually sell it this year when I bought the new Sigma Sport 120-300. If the mk 2 version eventually appears, I imagine ordering that but in the meantime, I might just buy another used example as it was so convenient. I have a 70-200/II plus converters but there is something nice about that old lump of a lens.

Interesting you should mention the Sigma. How does it play on full frame with teleconverters? Have you used with any ie Canon/Sigma? Please tell.

i read that the new sigma 120-300 does not work well with the sigma converters but have not tried them. i have tried the kenko 300's and the canon iii's. both the 1.4x tc's work well without issue. the kenko/promaster 2x pro af is fast and the iq is good but it overexposes by+1 ev so thats a hassle to compensate for it when you are changing modes and when you take it on and off. the canon 2xiii is a bit slower but seems to have more accurate af and the iq is just as good or better than the kenko.

i have used the lens and tc's on both a 6d and a 70d with good results. its a really versatile lens but i think its better for wildlife on a crop body. at least for small and distant animals and birds in decent light.

it may not be monstrous but its pretty big and its heavy (7 1/2 lbs). if you are going to get it then get the usb dock as well. it allows you to customize the af speed, focus limits, is behavior, ad af tuning.

Thanks, it's good to know the Canon TC's physically fit on the Sigma and are probably the best option I/Q wise. I have a Canon 1.4 II so not the newest iteration. Not sure if I will eventually go this path but it's best practice to be well informed beforehand

 

[AlanF]

I am off for a country walk with my grandchildren and children on this sunny Christmas morning in a few minutes. The 100-400 on my 7D (rather than the 300mm f/2.8 + TC on my damaged but functioning 5DIII) is the perfect walk-around lens in case there is some wild life. The lens when retracted is not a conspicuous monster, like the 300, and as neuro says, it quickly extends. The retracting style of the current 100-400mm is a really great feature.

My grandson will take my SX50.

 

[AlanF]

Successful morning. Great walk with the family and just before reaching home on the way back a young heron decided to pose (7D, 100-400 at 300mm, f/5.6, 1/1000, iso 640, 100% crop, processed in DxO 9).

 

[DaveMiko]

Successful morning. Great walk with the family and just before reaching home on the way back a young heron decided to pose (7D, 100-400 at 300mm, f/5.6, 1/1000, iso 640, 100% crop, processed in DxO 9).

Nice work, Alan.

 

[MARKOE PHOTOE]

Not sure about widlife shooting but in my experience with the 1D4 shooting fast action outdoor sports, the 70-200 2.8L II + 2X TC outperformed the 100-400 in IQ and speed. Additionally, zooming in/out with the 70-200 + 2X TC was much easier than a push/pull zoom that added unwanted movement to the camera even with a Gimbal head.

I'm about ready to sell my 100-400 since it seldom gets used.

Hope this helps.

A post Merry Christmas to all the CR mod's and forum participants. Wishing you all the very best of the new year!

 

[AlanF]

Not sure about widlife shooting but in my experience with the 1D4 shooting fast action outdoor sports, the 70-200 2.8L II + 2X TC outperformed the 100-400 in IQ and speed. Additionally, zooming in/out with the 70-200 + 2X TC was much easier than a push/pull zoom that added unwanted movement to the camera even with a Gimbal head.

-1 - the great plus of the 100-400mm is as a walk-around lens for wild-life and safari or air shows and not as something to be plonked onto a tripod. When you are hand holding, movement of the camera is not a big deal.

A post Merry Christmas to all the CR mod's and forum participants. Wishing you all the very best of the new year!

+1

 

[East Wind Photography]

Any lens that extends when focusing or zooming will suck in air and then pump it out. The real question is where does the air enter/exit... If it is entering/exiting along the lens barrel then there is no flow of air into the camera body and as a result, no big concerns about dust on the sensor.

Of more concern is the possibility of accidentally pumping warm moist air into cold optics. That could cause internal condensation which would be difficult to remove. I opted for the 70-200 with both extenders. Tried several copies of the 100-400 and was not entirely impressed from many fronts. However depending on requirements and budget, it may be an option for those that don't mind things like coma when used wide open.

I now also have big primes to suite my needs but the 100-400 was never included in my suite.