Capsurfer Loc: Sydney Australia

Have been considering what lens to take on an African trip next January so rented a canon 300mm f4 a couple of months back and this week I have managed to borrow the f2.8. What a difference in weight and ability to wield! As much as I would love to get the f2.8 I feel after this exercise that I may be inclined to use the f4 a lot more if I had it just because it would be so much more manageable. Does anyone have any comments on the IQ of the f4 vs the f2.8. I must say that I haven't really noticed too much.
I have attached a few shots from the f2.8, some with 1.4x TC attached.

Goose barking hot air


Kookaburra sits in the ol' gum tree

GWR100 Loc: England

Nice set Capsurfer. I spent a lot of time in Zimbabwe over a 6 year period a few years back and my experience of African game is that you usually get very close to it, and for me my favourite lens was an old 35 -105, other than that I used a 70-200 and never missed a short with this combo. Some of my stuff is on a earlier thread which you can access.

Crazytooth Loc: Suffolk, UK

I went to South Africa Last November and used a 70-200.
I you are going on Safari, anything longer and getting a stable platform may be difficult. On a couple of a occasions I was too close and had to change to a shorter lens. If you are doing something like whale watching from the shore a tripod and the longer lens would be great!

photonphysicist Loc: Texas

Lens Lust has set in! One day I hope to own the Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 L II USM!

Crazytooth Loc: Suffolk, UK

Only chance I would have is to part exchange...the car maybe and still not tell my wife!

Capsurfer Loc: Sydney Australia

Thanks GRW, can you point me to the thread you refer to please? Good to hear that a 35 - 105 and 70-200 did the job for you. Were these on FF or crop frame, the 7D as I expect you know gives you 1.6x to start with.

Capsurfer Loc: Sydney Australia

Thanks Crazytooth, I do have a canon 70-200 f4 IS so from what you and GRW say with my 1.4 TC I may have enough coverage as it is. Might have to find another reason to buy a 300mm be it f2.8 or f4 ! :D

Capsurfer Loc: Sydney Australia

You and me too :lol: The friend I borrowed the 300mm 2.8 IS from this week also has the 400mm f2.8 IS II which he uses for sport photography. It is just such a big unwieldy beast! And he obviously has too much money to have all these lenses.

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

The only lens I took on our African safari was the 70-300vr and I'd take it again. I did miss some shots when we were really close so a second camera with a wide angle would be ideal. It would be too difficult to hold anything longer than 300mm steady in a jeep filled with people all with cameras.

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

I use a Canon 300 f4 with a 1.4 on a 7D every day for my wildlife photography. In fact if you look at my blog virtually every photo there was taken using this combo.
I have used a 300 2.8 and found that the IQ was similar to the 4, but as you say the added weight, not to mention the expense, is significant.
For me owning a 300 or 400 2.8 would be a waste since I would never shoot at 2.8 anyway. I always prefer my images such as BIF a bit more fluffy so I'm generally at somewhere between 6.3 and 8.
The Canon 300 f4 is the sharpest lens in it's class, focal length, and price range of any lens, any brand currently out there in my view.
I bought the non IS version back in the 90s and it's still tack sharp, my wife uses that every day on her 50D or a 7D.
The 300 4 is a great lens all around being relatively lightweight and easily handheld.
Unless you are someone that requires 2.8 for something like shooting sports indoors in poor light I would always recommend the f4 version.

Capsurfer Loc: Sydney Australia

thanks Phil, I thought that was the case (that you used the 300 f4 but didn't know that you used the 1.4 TC with it) and am pleased to hear you recommend the combo. When and if I am able to get shots like yours I might then consider the f2.8 again but in the meantime I think the f4 should suit me just fine!
Again thanks for the feedback and I have looked at your blog and it is impressive to say the least.

Capsurfer Loc: Sydney Australia

Thanks ecobin, I have a 24-70 f2.8 II and I will definitely be taking that little beauty with me as well.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Going to Africa, this would be my 1st choice ( especially for the ergonomics) - Canon 70-200 2.8 II with Tamron SP 2X. My second choice would be Sigma EX 100-300 F4 with Tamron SP 1.4X. I would NOT take a prime. Regarding Canon 300mm's - the F4 ( especially the non IS ) and the F2.8 are both GREAT lenses with probably none better. Can you see the difference between the two? Probably not at 300mm and on crop frame ! I think you will see a difference on full frame at 420mm and 600mm ! that is where the 2.8 will win !

Capsurfer Loc: Sydney Australia

thanks for the advice Imagemeister, I have a Canon 70-200 f4 IS but am looking at a replacement f2.8 IS tomorrow. It is second hand but only 12 months old and hasn't been used much at all so I will probably get it. Have wanted to upgrade for a while! Already have the 1.4x TC which I got for the above f4 so will stick with that. I don't have the 300mm prime f4 anymore to test, I rented it, but do still have the 300 f2.8 and the same friend who loaned me that is loaning me a 5D III tomorrow to play with so I will be able to at least compare the 7D and the 5D with the different lenses. I just really think at the moment that I will use the 300 f4 a lot more due to its lighter weight and smaller size than the 300 f2.8. Plus as mentioned in a prior post, I have seen the shots Swamp Gator is getting with a 300 f4 + 1.4TC + 7D and yes I know he is very experienced and very good but he is clearly demonstrating that if the operator is good then it probably doesn't matter what gear is being used. That is I should stop worrying about my gear and practice more ... but it is fun to worry about!

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

Lets' not fool one another. The 300mm, f2.8 'L' is one of the best if not THE best lens for quality, out there. I've never owned one but have shot with one, many times. I've owned the 300mm, f4. While it's a good lens it's old technology in the IS department. I now have the 70-300mm, 'L' lens. The resolution is exceptional. Better even than the 300-4. It has the newest IS and is ultra quiet. PLUS it gives you the option of zooming.
Have a look at this review.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-70-300mm-f-4-5.6-IS-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

I also have the 400mm, f5.6, 'L' but would pick the 70-300 over that one. Too restricted.

I have lots of examples taken with the zoom and if you would like to see some, PM me.