Canon EF 300 L f/2.8 IS USM II Reviewed

[tobieo]

Tobie I would LOVE to see the answers to your question.

So would I Chris

[Grant Atkinson]

Hi Tobie
Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have seen some of your pics around, and they are of a very high standard, and I would say you are very serious!
My take on a set-up going forward, seeing that you have two bodies, and that you have birds as a favourite, would be:

1. 500f4 II plus 1.4TC giving you 700mm and the option still of using the 7D on that for more reach. You could also put the 2x tc on the 70-200 to close up that gap, between the 500 camera and the zoom camera. Or get a second 1.4x converter for the 70-200 if you don't favour the slower AF of the 2x.

2. Sell your current 300f2.8 IS I as there are a bunch of guys on here wanting to buy them and replace with the new 300, add the two new tcs to it and you have a decent 600f5.6.

3. Sell your current 300 f2.8 and replace with the 400 f2.8, as with the TC you would get a 560f4 or an 800f5.6.
4. Get the 200-400x 1.4 when it comes...
5. A good condition 500f4 IS I would be pretty good too I guess.
Extra reach doesnt come cheap these days...
Those are just my thoughts.
cheers
Grant

[tobieo]

Hi Grant,

Thanks for taking the time to answer. Theoretically if you were in my shoes which option would you go for (but please keep in mind that I had the 500mm f4.0 and, although brilliant lens the weight was a problem for me).

I am off to KTP for 12 days at the end of April and want to be ready (if the bank manager is still alive, plus the SO has not killed me)

[Grant Atkinson]

Hi Tobie
That info helps a bit. The new 500 II is going to be a whole lot lighter, so that may be something to think about, like 700g at least if I remember correctly. However I doubt it will be available by April.
The new 300 II would probably be the only way forward for now. It is significantly easier to handle than the older 300, specially within the confines of a vehicle and the lower weight really helps when you have a converter attached.
I don't think that you would be sorry to get the new 300, as it really is a good, solid upgrade in many respects to the already excellent version 1 lens. Although the newer lens is an improvement I am not sure that the results using the version II lens and the 2x III converter will be that much different from your current setup that it would be worth R20 000. Also, given that in your original post you state that the new 300 II plus new converter would give you more reach (600mm) were you saying in other words that you do not currently use your 300 version I with the new 2x III due to image quality reasons. If that is the case then I am also not sure that the new 300 and new 2x III combination will be so much better (I noticed some improvement when wide open for sure with the 2x III)?
cheers
Grant

[tobieo]

Hi Grant,

Thanks for taking the trouble to respond to my questions..... I have used the 2x III both on the 1DIV (ok) and 7D () but agree much better wide open. My real reason is probably an itch in the you know where. Perhaps I should just wait until the 200-400mm & 1.4x is announced but the finances will be a huge stretch.

Thanks for the help.