Canon Photography
Which one - Canon Prime 400mm F5.6 or canon 100 - 400 IS L
My camera is a canon EOS 400D and I have previously mainly been focused (no pun intended) on Landscape - Portrait photography. I have an Ef-S 10-22 which is superb for the Landscape work a standard zoom canon 28-105mm (which I hope to upgrade soon) and a canon 70-200 F2.8 non IS which is great for portraits.
I desperately want to take some good looking pictures of British Birds, particularly Finches. I have read numerous threads on this site and it appears to me that I need a minimum of 400mm to achieve this, and then maybe a TC, to get good results. My question (eventually) is which would you recommend as the best course:
a) sell the 70-200F2.8 zoom and get the 100-400L IS which could also be used for my portrait work... or
b) keep the 70-200 F2.8 (cracking lens) and save up a bit longer and get the 400mm prime.
All comments welcome.
Thanks,
Chris
The prime lens is cheaper than the zoom lens ?
Your question is one which is often asked. I own a 100-400 zoom and whilst I have taken portraits with it I would not describe it as a portrait lens. It is however a very good general purpose walkabout lens having the benefit of IS for lower light shots and more keepers when hand-held. It is sharp and is the one lens I would not be without.
The 400 prime is razor sharp and is a great flight shot lens. The focus is quick and is said to exceed the zoom. From the few times I have tried it out I cannot in all honesty say that I have noticed any difference. The lens is of course lighter so you can probably overcome the inertia quicker to get onto a bird. However, I keep in mind you mainly want to do finches. You will probably use a hide I guess in which case you may benefit from the the shorter minimum focus distance of the 100-400 zoom. I might add that there will be times when you do not need all the 400mm and again the zoom will present you with more opportunities. Others may advise using 300f4.0 + 1.4X converter. In the end only you can make the decision. Any set up will give good results, it just depends entirely on your circumstances.
Please also consider that some of the best bird pics are not always close ups (IMHO)...doing those well takes time and skill. A good eye for a shot and putting a bird in landscape can bring about excellent results.
I would be very reluctant to give up 70-200 zoom. About £70 on a portable hide and a converter might be all you need....it just depends on your circumstances and where you are going to shoot.