Canon lenses

[maw]

I have a Canon 450 D with a Canon 70-300 USM lens. I am very keen to do bird photography and although my photos have improved, I still think a "white lens" will make a big difference. I am looking at the 100-400 L IS
and the EF 400 f5.6L USM. Which one will be better for the the photos I would like to achieve.

[Jeffreysa]

I have both the 100-400 and the 400F5.6. The 400f5.6 is best for birds without a shadow of a doupt. I use this lens on a 1.6 crop body(40D) and the 100-400 on a full frame body(5D) for general wildlife, works for me.

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Ditto on Jeff's comment... Go for the 400mm f/5.6

[maw]

Thanks for your advice. I trust that the 400 is also suitable for wildlife. We are off to the Kgalahadi in April (third time in three years) and the animals are seldom very far away.

[Anonymous]

Why not rent both and see which one works best for you?

[Peter Veitch]

If it is exclusively birds then undoubtedly the 400 5.6.

However, one day when your bank manager is feeling generous and you get one of the super primes (mine a 500 f4), then the 100-400 begins to fulfil a different role. I at first used mine almost exclusively at 400, now on a second body, it gets used through it's full range.

Canon have sold more 100-400's than any other lens in their range. I think that says something.

[Peter Veitch]

Thanks for your advice. I trust that the 400 is also suitable for wildlife. We are off to the Kgalahadi in April (third time in three years) and the animals are seldom very far away.

In the KTP, you never have enough reach. Many of my large game images there are taken on a 1,6 crop body with the 500 plus a 1,4x tc!

[Anonymous]

Canon have sold more 100-400's than any other lens in their range. I think that says something.

I'd love to see that list, can I have the link?