400 DO II or 200-800? More time on my hands.

Gary Kinghorn

Gary Kinghorn

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Afternoon all.

It's been a fair while since i've posted on here, but thought i'd ask you fonts of all knowledge for opinions. I know you're not short of those

I shall be retiring at the ripe age of 55 in a couple of weeks. I have plenty planned to keep me busy, but one thing is to expand my photography. I'm fortunate enough to own some fairly decent equipment, but would like to expand slightly. I have a bucket list of things I wish to shoot, as well as other areas i'd like to shoot more of. On the bucket list is boxing hares, kingfishers and probably more bird / nature images. Having the time to actually sit for hours waiting for the right shot, is something i'm looking forward to. Alongside that i'll be shooting park runs, tough mudder, football, rugby, motorsport etc. All to a decent amateur level, but not to make money. Unless someone offers me £0000s of course.

I'm a Canon shooter, with a 1DX MK2, R3 and R7.

From a lens perspective at the longer end I have a 300 2.8IS V1 and a 100-500. I also have a 1.4 and x2 convertor. These are none RF

I'm thinking that for some of the subjects i'll be looking for, I could do with a little more length. I can put the 1.4 and X2 on the 300, but even then a little more might be nice. I'm not sure about extending the 100-500

I'm not willing to spend out on one of the long RF primes, nor do I wish to lug toooo many KGs around - unless there's an amazing option in my budget. Then i'll hit the gym.

The budget and choices......

I reckon £2.5k is about where i'm at and I don't mind used gear in the slightest.

The choice I am leaning towards is the 400MM F4 DO II and my x2 V3 convertor. That will give me 400mm F4, or 800mm at F8. A fairly light set up in comparison to other big primes and the flexibility of 400mm for football, rugby and such like, then 800mm for the more nature based element. Any have any opinions / experience with this set up? Will it still autofocus well (all be it a little slower with the x2 no doubt.). I'd probably take a second body along with the 100-500 to give flexibility.

But then there the 200-800. A new lens, which looking at the reviews seems to do pretty well. I know and appreciate the aperture isn't perfect for certain locations and also weather conditions, but I think it would work well with my cameras and be a bit lighter than the DO. And also a little cheaper to purchase in the first place.

I lean towards the DO, because I like that sort of lens, but the 200-800 is interesting too.

Thoughts please?

Thanks.
 
I'm looking at the 200-800 also I already have the 150-600 Sigma both are about the same weight 2Kg+.
Price all about the same £2300 apart from Panamoz £1580.
My setup eos 5d mk111 and eos r6 mk1 I do have the converter for ef to rf. I was hoping the 200-800 would be lighter than the 150-600 but no about the same. For me both are or will be used with a tripod because of weight, (need a new shoulder).
Don't know if that will help you.

Trevor
 
Decided to give the 200-800 a go. Worst case I will move it on if it doesn't deliver. Reviews appear positive and it's a much cheaper option than any of the big white lens alternatives.
Will give it a go for the year and see how I feel about it.

Ordered through Panamoz as I do with most of my new gear
 
Gary please post up where this goes.......I've stumbled into your thread.I make images with a DXii and 400DOii.use both ext iii 's..........I guess my primary subject is brown hare.



I think the zoom is a huge benefit.............but moreso.......if one is to catch hare boxing full frame then FC and huge amounts of luck is of equal importance
 
Hi Stuart.

I spent a bit of time looking around at what was available and found the DO Mk2 to be a rarity and when a good one came up, it was over what I was looking to pay. I ended up taking a bit of a punt and purchased a 200-800. My thought process was that if it was 'No good in UK weather', as I kept reading, I would move it on a loose a couple of hundred quid. The reality however, is that I love it. So much so, I have been pretty much ignoring the 100-500 and taking this out instead.

Life being the way it is and with things changing all the time, i've ended up becoming the photographer for my local football club. Decent standard, but still a few steps from the league. With that i've ended up pulling the trigger on a used 400mm 2.8 IS II. Madness I know, considering my previous budget. It hasn't arrived yet mind. The probability is that something will leave my bag when it does. As things stand though, it won't be the 200-800. I'm enjoying it too much.

No Hare images yet, but a few samples of what I have been shooting with it below.

Red Kite - Canon 200-800mm by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr

Marwell zoo today by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr

Marwell zoo today by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr

Weaver birds - Canon 200-800mm by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr

On the attack by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr

Flamingo by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr

Tiger by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr
 
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Gary call me stu every one does in the real world.apart from if I've done sommit bad:LOL:

Buddy can I just bung this at you first.the flamingo is a belter of a frame.that's seriously beautiful dude well done you(y)(y)

I think not know there was only a tiny team of crafts folk at canon making the DOii..............I bought new through LCE......part exing a 300 f2.8 ( stunning lens) I listened to the guy from LCE talk to the canon rep.was promised lens sonn and waited a long while......NO FAULT of LCE......so even as some one that bought new,,,,,,,,I kinda get the rarity aspect.

The do is bril bt it has 2 flaws for me withiin what I do..first up the 3M or so min focus distance...................you have no idea how frustrating it is to have a hare a wild dcatty hare completely chilled with one.and be to close to make images of.look the experience is seriously wonderful sommit I SO cherish but it's also a bit of a pain.

2nd is it's a prime and therein although it takes EXT's so well is a fundamental difficulty...............framing

Gaz cheers for the lovely reply, the images, know how good that study in pink is..I wouldn't let that 200 to 800 go either I'd love a lens like that on a modern sensor where I could mess with silly ISO.......which I already do on an older mark

Soz slow in reply bro...................... life init

stu
 
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