1D APS-H Owners - Which long lens please?

Oggy

Oggy

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Roger
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A couple of months ago my mortgage paid off and I bought myself a 1D Mk IV.

I hadn't really thought it out and I now find that 100-400 doesn't really get the best out of the body and my 300F4 is a bit short at times. I shoot aircraft and wildlife and found the two lenses OK on an APS-C sensor to give an idea what I am after.

I think I know the answer to my question - 300 F2.8 with 1.4 and 2 extenders. Sadly considering my bank account and the condition of my kidneys that is not an option.

What alternatives should I be looking at? Budget would just about stretch to £2.5K and I will consider second hand.

Plan is to listen to suggestions then hire to see how I get on.
 
You need a serious lens now i'm afraid to make up for the lack of crop (which seems to be the gist of your post?). I'm not sure it'd be wise putting a cheap lens on a 1d mk4, so personally i think your option would be to save up for a big L prime or to have a 1.6 crop camera to use in reach-limited situations.
I know there's comparitively cheap 500mm sigma lenses etc, but i think you'd get better image quality with your current L lenses and a 1.6 crop camera to be honest.

The only option that keeps with the mk4 i can think of is a 1.4tc for the 100-400 (the mk4 will focus at F8, centre point only), but then you'd have reduced iq and F8 is not ideal for frame rates.

If it were me i'd put up with the lenses i had and save up for a 500 F4 (very slowly) :)
 
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As above, a Sig 120-300/2.8 OS with an x1.4.
 
OP said he has 300 F4 which has great iq. I'd have thought that and the fact that his 400mm is not high quality enough negates the 120-300 + 1.4 or 2x tc choice?
300 f4 + 1.4 tc sounds like a possible option in that respect.
 
The 1D will still AF with a 2x on the 300 f/4 so I'd be inclined to go 1.4 and 2X for the moment and save the pennies for the 300 f/2.8.

Note to Roger, If you fancy a trip over Hastings way you can have a try of my 2X on your 300.
 
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Werecow said:
OP said he has 300 F4 which has great iq. I'd have thought that and the fact that his 400mm is not high quality enough negates the 120-300 + 1.4 or 2x tc choice?
300 f4 + 1.4 tc sounds like a possible option in that respect.
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mark uses the 120-300mm os on his mk 4 so i think he might know a little bit abit it and the quality is can produce, also you can add a 2x which will make it a 240-600mm f5.6 and it will still have great af.
and the 300mm with a 1.4tc might be another option,, but i suprises me that the 100-400mm doesnt work well with the body as it should produce better images on the 1dmk4 then say a 7d, ok no crop factor vow.
 
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I wasn't suggesting the 120-300 isn't good. Just that as the OP isn't happy with the 100-400 iq wise, then an L prime with/without tc might be a better thing to try.

Sounds like he's wanting ultimate image quality and the canon prime telephotos are a good step up from the 100-400. Where as the 100% crops i've seen online of the 120-300 look very similar to my 100-400 or worse.
 
Thanks for the replies.

I am not saying that the 100-400 is a bad lens, it's simply that I suspect it is not really going to get the best out of the 1D Mk iv.

Mike - thanks for the offer. If we can set it up, make sure you come armed so you can get your lens back. ;)
 
Oggy said:
Thanks for the replies.

I am not saying that the 100-400 is a bad lens, it's simply that I suspect it is not really going to get the best out of the 1D Mk iv.

Mike - thanks for the offer. If we can set it up, make sure you come armed so you can get your lens back. ;)
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why wont it, it should perform better on the 1d then the 7d.
 
I'd take a long look at the non-IS 300/2.8 or 400/2.8 to fill in until funds allow you to get a later model. Neither of the old guard will embarrass your 1D4 and you'll get good "big lens" experience into the bargain.

Bob
 
It doesn't get the BEST out of any camera full stop. It's why you see people with the big primes.
It's a good lens, but the primes are sharper than it even with a tc added.

scottthehat said:
why wont it, it should perform better on the 1d then the 7d.
Click to expand...
 
well it has to be the 400f5.6L or a EF 300f 2.8 and tcs.
Rob.
 
Anyone out there using a 70-200 F2,8 on a 2x Extender?
 
Here's a few tests from mine....all shot with the lens at 200mm on a 1DMkIV..EXIF is intact.
Bob
200mm/2.8
10120_4090466564e2759fd82758.jpg


400mm/5.6 (2xT/C)
10120_3120199434e275a00df9ea.jpg


800mm @ f/11 (Two 2x T/C's stacked)
10120_14255534734e275a047d4c4.jpg
 
Thanks for that Bob. They look pretty good. They would also be just about on budget.

How is AF with just one 2x?
 
If you ever come up this way I'd be happy to let you try my 400 F5.6L with a 1.4x Kenko TC.
I put the TC on a 300L F4 IS yesterday and the results were cracking, with your APS-H sensor you'd probably prefer the 400.
 
Oggy said:
Thanks for that Bob. They look pretty good. They would also be just about on budget.

How is AF with just one 2x?
Click to expand...

It's not a combination I've used in anger but a quick check shows it to be accurate if not a little tardy when compared to the 400/5.6.

Bob
 
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