So, I'm thinking about getting a smaller, hand-holdable lens to compliment my 600mm, particularly for taking flight shots. Obvious choice is the 100-400mm I would think, but does anyone have any opinions about any other lenses I should look at?
two other lenses to consider would be the 300 f4 IS (works nicely with a 1.4x) and teh 400 f5.6, which is often said to be the best flight shot lens available.
I agree entirely with Peter. Please however be aware that the 400 prime is said to be faster than the 100-400 zoom. Having said that , getting on the bird is probably the biggest cause of missing shots and a micro second of speed won't make much difference. I have done flight shots of peregrines and they are pretty fast and had no trouble with speed! However the other lenses are easier to manage and both wickedly sharp.
I have found the use of IS for hand held shots invaluable and the hit rate in poorer light increases. The prime is said to be THE flight shot lens and I agree with that, but do you just want flight shots?
I am off out now with my Prime 500 and 100-400 for flight shots