Thanks, the Canon web site seems to suggest that the 1.4 is OK with autofocus but the 2x is a problem. Looks like the 100-400nis the way to go.

Yes it does seem the sensible choice-thanks. Just hope the wildlife is not too far away.

Looks a great lense and may well be the right choice with a 1.4 extender. One hidden cost seems to that the Canon lense has the same size filter thread as my other lenses so would save quite a bit there. I suppose I get almost the same reach as the Sigma with the extender as well. Suffering from massive indecision!!

Thanks, I have a dilema in that I am going on a photo trip in Alaska on a converted coastguard vessel and the pro says that I need a long lense. However, this is not something I use normally. I have the very useful Canon 70-200 and was looking to put an extender on it but will only get to 280 with a 1.4 and my camera store says that the 2x will lose two stops so will be an issue. The next option is buy the new Canon 100-400 and use a 1.4 extender (so up to 560). Alternatively get either the new Sigma 150-600 or the cheaper Tamron but they may gather dust after the trip. Renting for the period involved does not work financially. Any bright ideas anyone? I have a feeling I may need to tale up wildlife photography when I get back.

As another issue why would you not get a 2X. You would lose an extra stop but is that a major issue?

Price is one issue but we might need to think about both the status (or non status) of the people employed to make the cheap gear. Often working in very bad conditions and paid very little should we be a party to this exploitation? Whilst Europe has a minimum wage in place China has nothing and their civil rights are dubious to say the least. Not the only offender in the world but proably the biggest.

Use something that does not look like a camera bag. You should not have a problem outside of big cities. Naples can be a problem and sometimes Rome. Scooter passengers can pull a strap bag off your shoulder. Also be careful at cash points. The Cinque Terre is a fantastic trip. Have a good time.

Street Photography is a big favourite and I go on group outings as well as solo. By all means ask but you would then be a portrait photographer. Have a look at some of the greats like Cartier Bresson. Someone once said to me that street photography is about taking extraordinary photos of people doing ordinary things (rather than the other way around).
By all means ask but you will get a posed/aware shot.
If you are challenged just be friendly-you can always delete the shot. Avoid children at all costs. Stick to the law-the UK is very relaxed unless the police believe you may be a terrorist.
I love street photgraphy as it is so rewarding. I keep the kit to a minimum, try and shoot as fast as possible and as close as possible. Take the shot, smile if they see you walk away immediately. I use a Fuji 100s with a fixed lens.
The alternative is to find a good spot and wait for what comes to you-needs more patience but you can compose the stage.
Hope you enjoy it-I am an addict!

Well commented-my mother and her friend were machine gunned in the street by a Luftwaffe pilot during WW2 and would no doubt would have much rather the pilot had waited to train his sights on the London Eye! These days we have terrorist bombers to rely on!

Apart from the obvious, visit the South Bank (where the London Eye is located. London Eye is a little over-rated. Instead try booking lunch in the Bistro at the OXO Tower (Great views if you ask for a terrace table in fine weather). Failing that, free entry to the upper floors of the national Festival Hall (South bank) which is also useful for free toilets! London markets are fun, try Borough Market for food and Spialfields has anitques and Bric a Brac. The South bank area and the markets are a favourite with street photogpahers. Don't forget St Pauls as well. A boat trip is good with an amusing commentary. Go from Westminster Pier down to Greenwich and come back on the tube. The Shard has great views but you need to book (give the restaurant a miss). If you want to spend a bit more try booking ballet or the opera at the Royal Opera House and have drinks in their upstairs bar first (smart casual dress is fine). Be prepared for a shock on the cost of everything-you might want to buy an Oyster Card when you arrive and use it on the buses and tube train. Have a good trip!

This is just viewing RAW versions in Lightroom. I can open them both as RAW files and compare them side by side. The jpeg original from the CR2 is OK but the Digital Negative has the cast. The very strange thing is that the base settings have changed and they can be reverted using "Reset". I have Fuji RAW files coming in that are not affected at all

I have noticed that when I import CR2 (Canon format RAW files) into Lightroom 4 and convert them to.dng (Adobe Digital Negatives) that I get quite a marked colour shift. If I open the original CR2 and compare the settings they are quite different-any ideas anyone?

Just announced the price £ 950 US$ 1149 in the UK
Currently being discounted by £200

Be interesting to see what the European price is like-usually a lot higher. In £s the US price looks like around £620, Australian £754
Expect they will be pricing against the Sigma 150-500
May be worthwhile getting on a plane!

Post something when you get it-looks very good. We have a launch date here but no price yet. Sure to be significantly more than the Dollar price as usual