Canon EF 300mm f4.0 L IS USM

[willing to learn]

Originally Posted by Jon

Your focus points would not necesarily light up - it depends on which mode and which points are selected. If you are in TV mode select the central focus point, then it will illuminate.
Coming to the choice of lens I have never heard anything but very positive comments about the 300mm prime lens, equally with the 1.4TC it is very good - for dragonflies for example.
I am a little puzzled why you would need this lens if you have a 100-400f5.6L IS. I use this lens regularly to photograph my son's rugby matches and it is perfect. I generally select the central or top central focus point and put it at ISO 400 and AV mode at 5.6 and shoot large JPEGS. You will find the 100-400 will snap into focus very much more quickly than the 100-300. Even in low light I have used it at ISO 800 and 1600 and have got perfectly acceptable results.
Jon

Hello Jon,
you are right the pump would be Ideal, I supose I just did not want to risk by lens. But I will use it next time. I fancied a prime lens that would with extenders give me more than 400mm, something i am changing my mind about after looking around and seeing I would have to remorgage my house.
I am over the moon with the pump, really chuffed with the birds I have snapped as I am a relative beginer with a DSLR. Thanks for making me see sense.
Regards
Colin

[zan]

I have this lens and the Canon 1.4x converter and they work brilliantly. The 300mm is fantastically fast and sharp and hasn't let me down yet. With a 1.4x converter the extra reach makes it really useful for wildlife, although I think there may be a slight AF issue with mine on a 400d wide open. But then, I don't usually shoot at very fast shutter speeds (what with living in Scotland and all!) so this is likely to be user error than the lenses.

PM me if you want a link to some shots I've taken with it.

Zan