I am buying a EOS 40D and I want to get a walk around lens that I can take bird photos with. I am also buying (next year) a EF 500 f4 for tripod use. I am torn between the EF 300 f4 and the EF 100-400 f4-5.6. Both a L series and have IS and both work with a 1.4x TC. The extra 100 reach of the 100-400 would be useful but it does get some mixed reivew. I have not read a bad review of the 300 f4.
Some help would be greatly appreciated
Michael
You wont get AF with the 100/400 unless you tape the pin's
as for walk about the zoom must be the best choice .
Rob.
This topic is elsewhere too. The 100-400 isn't really an L lens. It's good, but not worthy of the L badge. Without hesitation I'd buy the 300mm f4 and a 1.4x TC. Like you correctly say there are mixed views on the 100-400 but I've never, ever seen anything bad about the 300 f4. The 100-400 is slow and dim-witted by comparison. The difference in my opinion is the 100-400 is overrated and undertalented. The 300mm is underrated and an unsung gem.