Replace EOS 5D MK2 or Eos 100/400 mm lens: My main interest is bird photography on the ground and in flight. I can afford to replace my old EOS 100/400 mm lens with the latest version...

johnfromsouthwell Loc: Southwell, Notts. UK

My main interest is bird photography on the ground and in flight.
I can afford to replace my old EOS 100/400 mm lens with the latest version or replace my EOS 5D mk2 camera with the mk3 but I can't afford to do both.
I should be grateful for advice including do nothing stay with the ones you already have. I would do this, but when I use the 1.4 times converter focusing leaves much to be desired.

Thank you.

John

dugole Loc: Matawan, New Jersey

johnfromsouthwell wrote:

My main interest is bird photography on the ground and in flight.
I can afford to replace my old EOS 100/400 mm lens with the latest version or replace my EOS 5D mk2 camera with the mk3 but I can't afford to do both.
I should be grateful for advice including do nothing stay with the ones you already have. I would do this, but when I use the 1.4 times converter focusing leaves much to be desired.

Thank you.

John

John - I am using the 100-400 Mark II with a 5D Mark III. I am thoroughly happy with the 100-400 and using it for both perched birds and BIFs. The 3 position IS is great - I use the 3rd setting for the BIF pictures and it works well. I have a Canon 1.4 Mark II extender and I am not really all that happy with that combination. It only uses the center focal point with some assitance from the surrounding 4 points making it difficult to keep BIFs focused. It also slows the focusing appreciably. I am trying to upgrade the extender to the III hoping for some improvement.

I have never used the 5D Mark II but have seen some really good photos produced from that body.

So, in my mind, the lens upgrade would be my priority.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

johnfromsouthwell wrote:

My main interest is bird photography on the ground and in flight.
I can afford to replace my old EOS 100/400 mm lens with the latest version or replace my EOS 5D mk2 camera with the mk3 but I can't afford to do both.
I should be grateful for advice including do nothing stay with the ones you already have. I would do this, but when I use the 1.4 times converter focusing leaves much to be desired. Thank you. John

John, replace the camera!!!!!!
The 5ll is the worst bird camera in the world.
What's the point of having a great lens and a camera that can't use it?!?!
John, I'm only partially kidding! :lol: the 5ll, IS a horrible nature camera, it works, but barely!! The mkl lens is almost as sharp in the center as the mkll. I'll bet you can't tell?! The mkll gets most of its improvement into the mid-lens and corners, where I always use OOF/Bokeh in my nature shots, so with the OOF you'll NEVER see the improvement!
John, it's only what I would do and why, your mileage may be very different. Good luck. ;-)
SS
PS, the mklll is a real camera :lol: with a real focus system for birds.
Then sell your 5ll while it's still worth something!!!!!

dugole Loc: Matawan, New Jersey

SharpShooter wrote:

John, replace the camera!!!!!! br The 5ll is the w... (show quote)

SS - looks like we are going to make John's decision more difficult. :)

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I have the 100-400 L II, and while it is an excellent lens I think you will see more improvement upgrading from the 5DII to the 5DIII. The biggest improvement in the 100-400 L II over the original is more in it's features, such as improved IS (the original is still pretty darn good), rather then IQ. For BIF I would also suggest you take a look at the 7DII. Hard to beat for action. Less money then the 5DIII, allowing you to upgrade your lens sooner if you still feel the need.

johnfromsouthwell Loc: Southwell, Notts. UK

Thank you dugole, sharpshooter and LFingar for those interesting replies. It looks as if I will see an improvement which ever way I go. I am leaning towards a change of camera.

John

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

johnfromsouthwell wrote:

Thank you dugole, sharpshooter and LFingar for those interesting replies. It looks as if I will see an improvement which ever way I go. I am leaning towards a change of camera.

John

Yes, with limited funds I would recommend the 70D. You really need a high frame rate on a crop frame body for birds. Do not be afraid to crop your way past 400mm using well applied pixel enlargement techniques and software.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

johnfromsouthwell wrote:

My main interest is bird photography on the ground and in flight.
I can afford to replace my old EOS 100/400 mm lens with the latest version or replace my EOS 5D mk2 camera with the mk3 but I can't afford to do both.
I should be grateful for advice including do nothing stay with the ones you already have. I would do this, but when I use the 1.4 times converter focusing leaves much to be desired.

Thank you.

John

I do not have the 5D but have used both models of the 100-400. I sold the old version and got the new one. Use it on my 7D and can really tell the difference in quality. I thought the old 100-400 was great but the new version just blows it away. I would personally got with the lens and get the new body in the future. Body technology seems to be changing yearly or quicker but the lens will have years or decades of life before it is superceeded.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

SharpShooter wrote:

John, replace the camera!!!!!! br The 5ll is the w... (show quote)

IMO, the version II 100-400 takes TC's much better - but you have to be on an f8 AF enabled body to appreciate it !

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

One additional idea would be to suggest the 7D MK II with its 1.6 crop factor and keep you existing lens. The crop factor would eliminate the need for the 1.4 TC. A ten frames per second it is supposed to be excellent for BIF.
Or, the cost difference may enable you to upgrade both body and lens.

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

I have the Mk 11, with the Canon 400mm F5.6L; I think your best move is to find a nice copy of the above lens and use it with your 5d 11- thats what I did, the combination is superb.
And you can use the 1.4 converter !

johnfromsouthwell Loc: Southwell, Notts. UK

Thank you very much to all those who replied after I posted my initial thank you.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

jeryh wrote:

I have the Mk 11, with the Canon 400mm F5.6L; I think your best move is to find a nice copy of the above lens and use it with your 5d 11- thats what I did, the combination is superb.
And you can use the 1.4 converter !

The 5D II does not AF at f8 - that I am aware of ??

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

imagemeister wrote:

The 5D II does not AF at f8 - that I am aware of ??

One has to tape the pins to use it at f8 on the 5ll.
I've been using mine with the pins taped for so long I forget the tape is there.
Don't know if taping works with the new mkll zoom.
Has anybody done that yet?
I may have to borrow a mkll zoom, just to see if taping works there as well! ;-)
SS

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

SharpShooter wrote:

One has to tape the pins to use it at f8 on the 5ll.
I've been using mine with the pins taped for so long I forget the tape is there.
Don't know if taping works with the new mkll zoom.
Has anybody done that yet?
I may have to borrow a mkll zoom, just to see if taping works there as well! ;-)
SS

So, you are saying that Canon does not officially support using AF at f8 on the 5D II - but it does actually work - under the "right" circumstances ??