Need some advice on my next "L" lens: Hello all, I recently received some money and have enough to by another "L" series lens. It will be added to my non "L" 70-300 Canon lens, and my...

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

Hello all,
I recently received some money and have enough to by another "L" series lens. It will be added to my non "L" 70-300 Canon lens, and my 24-105 L Canon Lens. I like to photograph airshows, R/C airshows, car shows, nature shots, some landscape and some street. Now, the lens choice is either the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM, or the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM. I might throw in the Extender EF 2x III. Depending on what I get, I'll probably sell the 70-300. All suggestions welcome. Cheers.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

flathead27ford wrote:

Hello all, br I recently received some money and h... (show quote)

Flathead, looks like the 100-400 would work well for you, especially if you get rid of the 70-300. Just a caution, the 1.4x needs to have the pins taped to auto-focus, but I have no idea if the 2x will work that way. you need to find out first, unless you want to go manual all the time.
You don't say if you will use it on a FF or a crop?
Good luck. SS

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You mentioned some uses where more reach is needed and therefore the 100-400. You mentioned other uses where speed and a narrow DOF will work best. Since both a 35mm and a 50mm sit inside the range of the 24-105, you should go with the reach of the 100-400. That said, I don't need reach beyond my own 70-300 on a 7D and really enjoy a 35mm.

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

SharpShooter wrote:

Flathead, looks like the 100-400 would work well for you, especially if you get rid of the 70-300. Just a caution, the 1.4x needs to have the pins taped to auto-focus, but I have no idea if the 2x will work that way. you need to find out first, unless you want to go manual all the time.
You don't say if you will use it on a FF or a crop?
Good luck. SS

Hi Sharp Shooter,
This will be going on my Canon 40d. So a cropped sensor camera. Thank you for the advice. Cheers.

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

CHG_CANON wrote:

You mentioned some uses where more reach is needed and therefore the 100-400. You mentioned other uses where speed and a narrow DOF will work best. Since both a 35mm and a 50mm sit inside the range of the 24-105, you should go with the reach of the 100-400. That said, I don't need reach beyond my own 70-300 on a 7D and really enjoy a 35mm.

Thanks for the advice Chg_Canon. I've even toyed with getting a 7d as well. There are sooooo many choices that it makes deciding very hard. I know my 40d is outdated but it still takes good pictures and is built like a tank. Cheers.

Photogdog Loc: New Kensington, PA

flathead27ford wrote:

Hello all, br I recently received some money and h... (show quote)

Actually, the 24-70mm f2.8L might be a good choice. The aperture stays open to f2.8 through the entire range giving you a lot of light and the lens is VERY sharp. Is compact & easy to carry. It's a little pricey ($1,100), but it'll last a lifetime.

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

Photogdog wrote:

Actually, the 24-70mm f2.8L might be a good choice. The aperture stays open to f2.8 through the entire range giving you a lot of light and the lens is VERY sharp. Is compact & easy to carry. It's a little pricey ($1,100), but it'll last a lifetime.

Hi Photodog, are you suggesting this lens due to the f2.8? I already have the 24-105mm L that covers this range.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

flathead27ford wrote:

I've even toyed with getting a 7d as well.

If you're thinking about changing cameras and not going FF, at this moment, I'd suggest holding off until there's an announcement on a 7D Mark II. Then, decide if the speed / sensor / price of the 7DII is what you need vs a 70D or the now highly discounted 60D. The price of the current 7D will also drop quickly after a new model starts shipping.

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

CHG_CANON wrote:

If you're thinking about changing cameras and not going FF, at this moment, I'd suggest holding off until there's an announcement on a 7D Mark II. Then, decide if the speed / sensor / price of the 7DII is what you need vs a 70D or the now highly discounted 60D. The price of the current 7D will also drop quickly after a new model starts shipping.

Good suggestion. I hate when I have some money. It seems to burn a hole in my pocket. I wonder if the 7d II will be as robust a build as the current 7d. That's one of the reasons I love my 40d right now. It is a tank. Cheers.

Photogdog Loc: New Kensington, PA

flathead27ford wrote:

Hi Photodog, are you suggesting this lens due to the f2.8? I already have the 24-105mm L that covers this range.

Yeah, but it a very SHARP piece of glass. Compact & a good fit for the body.

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

flathead27ford wrote:

Hello all, br I recently received some money and h... (show quote)

I have the 100-400mm and love it. Very sharp. Have you thought about the 28-300L? It's a great lens, covers a very wide range, so you wouldn't need to keep changing, and if you don't have a full frame camera, becomes a 44 - 480 (in 35mm terms). I have this lens as well, as I wanted an "all in one" to take to the Galapagos Islands, and it did wonderfully (only I have a full frame so it was 28-300)

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

If you get rid of the 70-300, then I think the 70-200 is a no brainer, you get most of that range covered again and it is a much better lens than the 100-400 (which is decent too). I would go for the 1.4x extender instead of the 2x.

Jblanke Loc: Metairie, LA

flathead27ford wrote:

Thanks for the advice Chg_Canon. I've even toyed with getting a 7d as well. There are sooooo many choices that it makes deciding very hard. I know my 40d is outdated but it still takes good pictures and is built like a tank. Cheers.

I love my 40D....it's been supplanted time and again by newer models...but, I am very comfortable with it for my sports and wild life pursuits and I use the 5D MKii for portrait, landscapes, events. I will use my 40D until it no longer functions. It's my work horse.

Jblanke Loc: Metairie, LA

speters wrote:

If you get rid of the 70-300, then I think the 70-200 is a no brainer, you get most of that range covered again and it is a much better lens than the 100-400 (which is decent too). I would go for the 1.4x extender instead of the 2x.

Ditto on all.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Flathead, another thing, if you get the 70-200 mkll lens, then the mklll extender will give you some benefit.
If you go with the 100-400, save your money and get the mkll extender. The mklll extenders are designed for the new generation mkll lenses. If a mkll lens is not in your future, save your money and go with the mkll extender. Good luck. SS