"Super Lens" for the Birds

[rich1833]

I'm making a wish list and need a "Super Zoom" lens. Need help picking one over the others. It will go with a Canon D7 Mark 2.


1st- EF 400mm f/5.6L USM @ $1250

2nd- EF 300mm f/4L IS USM @ $1350

3rd- EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM @ $1250 or the 2nd version with IS @ $1999

4th- EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM @ $1699 or the 2nd version @ $2099

 

[michel]

I just got your 4th choice before the holidays at a great price. so far it's great, the details are unreal. I can capture the water droplets on the feathers from a couple hundred feet, or the eye patterns from ducks. I'm very new to taking pictures, so it's hit and miss on the gear. So far I've used it on the boat mostly at a particular island that has a couple of eagles as we'll as a good population of sea lions and seals.

the ability to go from 100 to 400 is pretty important to me, so a fixed 400 would be hard to live with. On the other hand, next time im in town i'll be picking up the 1.4 or 2x extender. 400 is great and has been an eye opener on the new possibilities, but some things you just cant get close enough. Hoping the awesome quality stays with the extender.

 

[nwoods]

I have the 70-200 2.8L with IS. Sharpest lens on the planet, but I think you'd have to have at least a 1.4x extender to use for birds. That 100-400 is pretty sweet. However, there is a newer lens I got to play with at Canon in Irvine the other day that is super sweet. It's what all the NFL photogs are using these days. I'll have to look up the details.

Here it is: Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM with built in Extender 1.4x

Only $9,500 . Surprising light and compact for its throw.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/973129-REG/canon_5176b002_ef_200_400mm_f_4l_is.html

 

[rich1833]

I wish but I don't have that kind of money.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Sigma. The 150-600mm. I've used it quite a lot on my FF Nikon, and it's fantastic, especially for about $1k.

 

[WininUtah]

I have three of the lenses you listed and occasionally I add the 1.4 Extender:

Canon 300 F4 - a good lens, I like the fact I can use it with a lighter tripod and my Canon 40D

Canon 70-200 2.8 IS II - Like Nate said, an outstanding lens, stays on my 5D II a lot of the time.

Canon 100-400 - first version - I've started using this a little more and really do like it. It works well on the 5DII or the 40D. Heavier tripod, though.

You should shop around for 300 F4 or the older 100-400, there are bargains to be had! Also, if you shoot mostly outside the 70-200 F4 might be fine, it would be for me but I already invested in the 2.8.

 

[photoman]

Sigma. The 150-600mm. I've used it quite a lot on my FF Nikon, and it's fantastic, especially for about $1k.

Can you post some pics from this lens? I am in the market for a long zoom and looking at the following lenses myself.

Canon 100-400 old version
Canon 100-400 new version
Sigma 150-600
Tamron 150-600

I have read so far the new 100-400 is the sharpest and fastest but also the most expensive. Sigma is the heaviest.

 

[Eric K]

First let me say I am a Nikon shooter, you have my permission to be jealous, I understand. :} I rented the 150-600 for a weekend and I was not a fan. Sure it's great range for a cheap price, but I felt the pictures were pretty soft at 600mm. As Nikon and Canon are mostly the same quality (people just like to pick sides: Toyota vs Land Rover anyone?) I am assuming the Canon 70-200mm is similar to my Nikon version. 200mm is not great for bird shooting, but that lens is awesome. It will be tack sharp, work well in low light, and be an all around beast for you. Pick up a 2X teleconverter and you hit the same range as the 100-400 with the added benefit of having f2.8 when you are not using the tele.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Sorry to say I don't have any images available from that. They got wiped in a computer crash a while back. But mine were pretty sharp. Not as tack sharp as, say, the 100-400, but they were still pretty good.

The Tamron 150-600 is supposed to be good as well.

I'd rent one for a few days from Borrow Lenses.

 

[rich1833]

After taking everything into consideration the Sigma 150-600mm was out do to weight and reviews. I liked the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM but without IS I wasn't 100% sold. So I bought the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L is ll USM lens with a Canon EF 2x lll Extender. This will give me a good all around lens with F/2.8 @ 70-200mm and f/5.6 140-400mm with the extender. Same as the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM and 400mm f/5.6 prime but with IS. This video help make that decision for me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9zWpihW8IE

 

[WininUtah]

Great choice, I'll be interested to hear how you like it with the 2X. Good video, thanks.

 

[texascrane]

What kind of flash system are you using?

 

[Eric K]

I really think that's the correct choice and you will be happy with your decision. Well, until you start eying some insane 600mm f4. I know I would like one of those, if I just had tons of cash laying around.

 

[unplannedbbq]

For anyone else reading this thread, don't rule out Canon's 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS

All metal, Great IQ, the IS works well w/ 300mm at 5.6

Shorter, wider, lighter that the other big glass, making it a good carry.

Picked mine up 3 years ago from Canon's refurb site - currently on sale for $1079

Great reach on a crop sensor and doubles as a portrait lens w/ my 6D @ 70mm.

Sample image, interior - 6D shot @ 200mm f/5 1/40 sec, handheld inside a cathedral in France ISO3200, unedited jpeg:


Sample shot, blacksnake - 6D @ 300mm f/5.6 1/100 sec handheld, outside shot ISO200, unedited jpeg:

 

[rich1833]

What kind of flash system are you using?

Im using 2x Yongnuo YN560 IV speed lights with a Yongnuo YN560-TX controller.