Which Combination?

[RGF]

I am trying to decide if there is compelling reason to select one combination over the other.

1. Canon 1Dx w 100-400 II and Canon 7D M2 w 200-400. Total range 100-400 and 160 - 896.

2. Canon 1Dx w 100-400 II and Canon 1Dx w 600 II, 1.4 and 2.0 extenders Total range 100-400, 600, 840, 120.

The has greater range, though not continuous. Also weighs considerably more and costs a bit more. Plus the range is not continuous, discreet steps.

 

[gary samples]

I am trying to decide if there is compelling reason to select one combination over the other.

1. Canon 1Dx w 100-400 II and Canon 7D M2 w 200-400. Total range 100-400 and 160 - 896.

2. Canon 1Dx w 100-400 II and Canon 1Dx w 600 II, 1.4 and 2.0 extenders Total range 100-400, 600, 840, 120.

The has greater range, though not continuous. Also weighs considerably more and costs a bit more. Plus the range is not continuous, discreet steps.

for me I would go with #2

 

[RGF]

I am trying to decide if there is compelling reason to select one combination over the other.

1. Canon 1Dx w 100-400 II and Canon 7D M2 w 200-400. Total range 100-400 and 160 - 896.

2. Canon 1Dx w 100-400 II and Canon 1Dx w 600 II, 1.4 and 2.0 extenders Total range 100-400, 600, 840, 120.

The has greater range, though not continuous. Also weighs considerably more and costs a bit more. Plus the range is not continuous, discreet steps.

for me I would go with #2

why?

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Is your goal to cover a wide telephoto range?

Define exactly what your usage would be, and get the equipment to handle it.

Really long telephoto shots are difficult because all that air between you and the subject distorts the image. You can pump lots of $$ into super long telephoto lenses only to discover distorted images.

You can, of course, shoot early in the morning on quiet clear or cool days to help with this. Its better to get as close as possible and use less magnification. I would not use 2X extenders on the 100-400 or the 600. Maybe on the 400mm f/2.8. A 2X extender on the 100-400 ends up at a f/11, and on the 600mm, it is f/8.

I tried extenders on my older 600, and found the IQ was lacking with a 2X, mostly due to atmospherics.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Is your goal to cover a wide telephoto range?

Define exactly what your usage would be, and get the equipment to handle it.

Really long telephoto shots are difficult because all that air between you and the subject distorts the image. You can pump lots of $$ into super long telephoto lenses only to discover distorted images.

You can, of course, shoot early in the morning on quiet clear or cool days to help with this. Its better to get as close as possible and use less magnification. I would not use 2X extenders on the 100-400 or the 600. Maybe on the 400mm f/2.8. A 2X extender on the 100-400 ends up at a f/11, and on the 600mm, it is f/8.

I tried extenders on my older 600, and found the IQ was lacking with a 2X, mostly due to the distance and atmospherics.

If you have no choice, I'd go for a 7D MK II or 5Ds (cropping) over a 2X TC.

 

[bholliman]

I would go with option #2.

For me its not an issue to have discrete steps at longer focal length. We are talking shorter focal lengths, but I chose to go with a 300/2.8 II and extenders for my longer focal lengths and having 300/420/600mm to choose from is fine for my use. I find I don't really need the intermediate focal lengths, but at times when shooting wildlife that are closer or further than expected, I am scrambling to add or remove an extender, and a zoom would be handy.

 

[Zv]

I would go with #1 for ease and zoom versatility. If your priority is getting the shot then this way you are pretty much ready for anything. Plus it's less time messing about with teleconverters.

Also, are you shooting on a tripod / gimbal? If not then #1 works best for handheld.

If pure IQ is your priority and you have bags of time to set up and change teleconverters then option 2 is the obvious choice. Though focal length will depend on subject and you might be better off with a 300 or 400. I can't envision many subjects that you need 1200 for.

Option 3 - What about the 400 DO II? That takes teleconverters really well, gives you 400, 560 and 800 (or more with the 7DII) with the teleconverters plus it's more compact and could be used handheld.

 

[RGF]

Is your goal to cover a wide telephoto range?

Define exactly what your usage would be, and get the equipment to handle it.

Really long telephoto shots are difficult because all that air between you and the subject distorts the image. You can pump lots of $$ into super long telephoto lenses only to discover distorted images.

You can, of course, shoot early in the morning on quiet clear or cool days to help with this. Its better to get as close as possible and use less magnification. I would not use 2X extenders on the 100-400 or the 600. Maybe on the 400mm f/2.8. A 2X extender on the 100-400 ends up at a f/11, and on the 600mm, it is f/8.

I tried extenders on my older 600, and found the IQ was lacking with a 2X, mostly due to atmospherics.

Mostly africa and similar when I am shooting wildlife. Not necessarily long distances but rather bring that itty bitty bird, 10-15 meters (yards in the US) closer. Lion pride drinking 20 yards out, but also head shots of the lion drinking.

 

[Deleted member 91053]

Just me but I would be more tempted by either a Canon 600 Mk2 or 800 F5.6 L IS and a Canon 300 F2.8 (any version) attached to a pair of 1DX cameras.
Note I am biased because I use a 1DX and the Canon 300 F2.8 and 800 F5.6 lenses!

The camera question is easy - good though the 7D2 is (I was quite impressed) the 1DX is simply better.
I cannot speak for the 100-400 Mk2 as I have never used one! I had the Mk1 for about 6 years and rarely used it at less than 400mm so the 400 F5.6 would have been a better option.
Whichever way you decide to go 2 x 1DX cameras is a significantly better option then any of the alternatives IMO.

 

[RGF]

Just me but I would be more tempted by either a Canon 600 Mk2 or 800 F5.6 L IS and a Canon 300 F2.8 (any version) attached to a pair of 1DX cameras.
Note I am biased because I use a 1DX and the Canon 300 F2.8 and 800 F5.6 lenses!

The camera question is easy - good though the 7D2 is (I was quite impressed) the 1DX is simply better.
I cannot speak for the 100-400 Mk2 as I have never used one! I had the Mk1 for about 6 years and rarely used it at less than 400mm so the 400 F5.6 would have been a better option.
Whichever way you decide to go 2 x 1DX cameras is a significantly better option then any of the alternatives IMO.

300 f2.8i w 600 f4 is simply too much to travel with. I could travel with 600 and 200-400. Done that once but not likely again.

Ideally I would like to have 1Dx SS (small sensor). 1Dx with APS sensory.