Options for long focus lenses

[klindup]

I am now thinking about my opitions for a long focus lens for my 40D.  My prime concern is image quality.  I expect to use the lens for wildlife, specifically whilst whale watching on a planned trip tioIceland.  I have come down to three choices:
1. The 70-300 f4-f5.6
2. The 100-400
3. The 100-200 f4 (I have heard that the f4 is sharper than the f2.8 ) with the x2 teleconverter if I need a longer focal length.

I know from experience if I go out and buy a lens I will discover that I should have bought something else so I would appreciate calling on the experience of the contributors to this forum for advice.

Ken

[Bob Atkins]

There is no 100-200/4 that I'm aware of. Not sure what you meant there. Nikon have a 200-400/4, but that won't help you with a 40D and it's a very expensive lens (over $5000).

The EF 100-400/4.5-5.6L IS USM is probably the best telephoto zoom out there for the Canon EOS 40D. It's only real disadavntages are size, weight and cost. If you don't mind those, then the 100-400 would be the lens to get.

The EF 70-300/4-5.6IS USM is a good lens and is smaller, lighter and cheaper than the 100-400/4.5-5.6L IS USM.

Note that the 70-300IS currently has a $50 rebate and the 100-400IS curently has a $100 rebate, but that these rebate offers are scheduled to expire in 2 days (January 17th 2009).

If you haven't read it, you might want to take a look at his article which compares the 100-400IS and 70-300IS:

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/ef_100_400_l_is_review.html

[klindup]

Sorry Bob I said 100-200, I meant the 70-200 f4 L IS USM I think you call that a senior moment.

[Bob Atkins]

I think you are almost always better off with a lens that zooms to the focal length you need, rather than having to add a TC (especially a 2x TC).

If you  think that 200mm will be enough most of the time, the 70-200/4L IS USM is a great lens. If 280mm is enough and you don't mind switching a TC on and off the lens, then it's still a good choice. If you think that you're going to want to shoot at 400mm very often, I'd go for the 100-400IS.

[Imagician]

Do you really need a zoom? I am in love with my EF 300 f4L (pre-IS). The Kenko 1.5x TC works great on it. A nit-picking pixel peeper might find some degradation in IQ, but I can't see any. I also have the EF 70-200 f4L. I haven't used the TC on it. I just don't know if it would be long enough for your purposes.

[klindup]

Funnily enough I have just come to the same conclusion.  I have always believed that when it comes to optics a simpler lens is better.  The more lens elements the more degradation with each air glass surface, even with coatings.  My favourite camera is still my f2,8 Rolleiflex.  No zoom, no image stabilisation, no autofocus and no autoexposure, yet using my Gossen light meter I get superb results.  Of course a 6x6 negative size helps.  So it will be the f4 300mm.   It will be mostly used during daylight hours and f4 is ample aperture.

Thanks for the advice.

ken

[marcfs]

I’ve used the 100-400 for whale watching off of the Mass Coast.  I was extremely satisfied with the performance of the lens and the IQ.  The zoom allowed flexibility to complete in camera cropping and the extra length of the 400 versus a 300 is sizeable.  The only issue that I did have with the lens was when a whale and calf were right next to the boat and I had too much lens.  I had to switch to a wide angle lens to capture the image.

Initially I did not think I would like this lens because of its design.  Since I’ve owned the lens I find its versatility to be unmatched.  BTW I also use this lens as a walking around lens when hiking and looking for birds.  A wide angle lens is always in my pocket.

Marc

[Johnf]

I have both the 70-300 and the 100-400 for my 40D ... both are good for a long reach but the 100-400 gives much better result if you have an extra $900.  It is also quite heavy.  It also has this weird push pull zoom that takes some getting used to but once you are used to it, zooming and manual focusing is a treat because your hand never leaves the focus ring.  You then have to tighten the push/pull zoom before you let the camera drop down to your side or the thing will zoom out with a big klunk that you think will pull the camera off your shoulder.  That being said, I never use my 70-300 anymore.  The 70-200 4.0 I can't comment on but the 70-200 2.8 is the best lens I have ever shot with on my 40D but it is just not long enough for bird watching (so I presume whale watching as well).  My advice is the 100-400 is your best bet.  Keep in mind that the canon rumour sites are saying there is a new 100-400 coming out so it might pay to wait unlesstime time is an issue.  Good luck.