[M1ke A]

So having spent the past two weekends playing with a hired 300mm f2.8 & extenders , I'm wondering how my 300 f4 & 1.4 extender would compare against the 100-400 zoom at 400mm?

The 300 is great wide open @ f4 but will become 420mm f5.6 with an extender, the same as the zoom. Has anyone compared the two options together?

Cheers

[stepheno]

I haven't used the 300mm but if you post your best pic with that and I'll post my best pic with my 100-400

[M1ke A]

Originally Posted by stepheno

I haven't used the 300mm but if you post your best pic with that and I'll post my best pic with my 100-400

Hmm I'll actually have to go and do some shots with my 300mm. I can however do you one with the 300 f2.8

[stepheno]

I don't have much to choose from, at work, but here's one you would not expect from a 100-400. Taken at 400mm

[Markulous]

Originally Posted by M1ke A

So having spent the past two weekends playing with a hired 300mm f2.8 & extenders , I'm wondering how my 300 f4 & 1.4 extender would compare against the 100-400 zoom at 400mm?

The 300 is great wide open @ f4 but will become 420mm f5.6 with an extender, the same as the zoom. Has anyone compared the two options together?

I have taken loads with the 300mm f4 IS with/without 1.4x and the 100-400mm with/without the 1.4x. Have to say I prefer the 300mm but that's probably as I enjoy being challenged when considering a composition rather than any specific quality issues/comparisons

[AQ]

Originally Posted by stepheno

I don't have much to choose from, at work, but here's one you would not expect from a 100-400. Taken at 400mm

Is that ful frame or cropped ?

[stepheno]

Originally Posted by Anthraquinone

Is that ful frame or cropped ?

Full size image, no crop.

[M1ke A]

Originally Posted by Markulous

I have taken loads with the 300mm f4 IS with/without 1.4x and the 100-400mm with/without the 1.4x. Have to say I prefer the 300mm but that's probably as I enjoy being challenged when considering a composition rather than any specific quality issues/comparisons

So would you say the IQ was comparable?

The pump action of the 100-400 puts me off a bit and I do like to also consider ergonomics etc when looking at lenses. I guess I'll have to try my 300 with the extender and see how I get on.

[Markulous]

I love the push-pull on the 100-400 - makes it possible to manually focus and adjust zoom (which is the way I like to do it - other zooms I tend to set the zoom and then manually focus )

I think I've got better pics with the 300mm but whether that's IQ or not, I don't know - my limiting factor is always me, not the lens (they both outperform me so I'm happy!)

[AQ]

Just buy the 300mm f2.8 - you know you want to

It is only money and what else would you do with it . Pay the mortage and buy food