lenses

[Lynsnow]

hi i was wondering if anyone on here used the canon 400mm prime lense f5.6 and how it compared with the 100 to 400 zoom i realise you are limited with a prime but have read that the pictures are better with a prime.

[matt_xyz]

there have been a number of discussions about this on a number of threads. See the following for example;

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...rter-dslr.html

Basically, they are both very high quality lenses. The prime has the edge in terms of image quality and is quite a bit lighter, but the 100-400 still has very high image quality, and has image stabilisation as well (and the versatility of a zoom). It all depends on your priorities. I personally chose the 400mm prime, but many others choose the 100-400. There are many users of both lenses on this site (and each will claim their lens is best ). The bottom line is that they are both excellent lenses.

Matt

[philbyuk]

hi lynn well im about to get the 100-400
ive looked at these lenses for soooo long now but decided on the 100-400 just for the ability to frame the subject at will,
both these lenses have good IQ ,although the 400 does have better IQ (to what extent may be questionable) and also lighter, but the 100-400 does have Image stabalisation.both can use the 1.4TC(although AF may not be usable except on bright days) it all comes down to
a)..cost
b)..weight
c)..do u know that you will not be shooting at under 400mm?
if you like call over onto the canon forum...POTN (photography on the net) brilliant site very enthusiastic and friendly bunch over there and many pics from these lenses..just do a search on the site...good luck whichever you buy ..you wont be dissapointed..and just in case you dont know checkout 'warehouse express' for prices on there lens...very reputable company.

[philbyuk]

jeez matt you pipped me to it.lol

[Hobjob]

If the 400mm prime does not have Image Stabilization, then for me its
a non-contest -- I just never cease to be amazed at what the IS does
to a buffoon like me.

[nightshade]

It is the ability to frame in the range100-400 that makes it so useful,it would mean carrying 100,200,300,400 focal lengths in prime lenses.For ultimate quality go prime

[John]

Originally Posted by philbyuk

and just in case you dont know checkout 'warehouse express' for prices on there lens...very reputable company.

Better still, do what I did. Check out Warehouse Express prices on the net, print out their prices, take it to Jessops and do a price match. Not only will they give you the price match but they will take off a further 10%. I bought the 30D and the 100-400 last week. The 30D was £81 cheaper so I saved a further £8.10p. The Lens was £156 cheaper so I saved a further £15.60p. Here is a link to Warehouse Express. Warehouse Express Online

Another deal I would suggest is if anyone is looking to buy the Scandisk Extreme 111 cards you will find them at 7dayshop at £45.99. Jessops are £119.99 giving a difference of £74 each. I printed off the deal, took it into Jessops and price matched it. I bought two cards at £45.99 less £7.40 making them only £38.59 each. So I bought two for £77.18 instead of Jessops price of £239.98.

Here is a link to 7dayshop. 7dayshop.com - Online Store

Hope that helps.

Regarding the lens. I was torn between the 100-400, the 400 prime and the Sigma 50-500. All great lens'. I chose the 100-400 for three reasons. The zoom facility, the IS and the weight. It is lighter than the 50-500, but slightly heavier than the prime. The zoom gives you the flexibility of closer subjects. I am a total novice to DSLR, having never even held one before, so the IS aspect was a big draw for me.

Whichever lens you choose they will do you a good job so really you can't make a mistake whichever you choose. As long as it suits your style of photography, and you are comfortable with it, then go with your first impressions.

John

[Lynsnow]

thank you all for your replies still saving at the moment so i havent made my mind up yet but its nice to hear other views. Lynda

[Bushcraft]

Originally Posted by Lynsnow

thank you all for your replies still saving at the moment so i havent made my mind up yet but its nice to hear other views. Lynda

I have heard the 70-200mm 2.8 is one of the best lenses that Canon make, same goes for Nikon. I used the Nikon with a 1.7x and had some great results. With the dslr crop factor of 1.6 it works out at 544mm if my workings are right.

With a Canon 30D for example it would work out at 448mm with the canon 1.4x converter. Its all down to personal opinion but I think that set up has the edge over the prime or the 100-400 and cost is not a huge difference if you shop around.

Im in the same boat as you though at the moment as I cannot make my mind up over the 500 and 600mm primes, so much so that I don't think I will ever get one lol

[Maple]

I thought about which one to get for some time and decided on the 400mm after a lot of searching for opinions on forums. The reasons I did eventually go for it was, being a prime lens it had the edge on sharpness especially at F5.6, it was quite a bit cheaper, lighter and the clincher, you can use a teleconverter with little loss of quality (something it seems you can’t do on the 100-400). I was also concerned about the talk of dust being ‘sucked’ into the zoom.

I don’t regret the decision and only once have I been so close that I would have needed to zoom back otherwise I could do with a greater reach than the 400mm as I’m usually not close enough! Which ever one you choose I think you’ll like it.