Canon 100-400mm Vs Canon 400mm f2.8 NON-IS

Birder_Griff

Birder_Griff

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Chris
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Hi,

I'm new to the forum, but I'm looking for some advice on changing lenses.... I'm currently using a 100-400mm canon, but I am looking to upgrade to a 400mm prime... I've been offered a Canon 400mm f2.8 Non-IS for £1,150 but I don't know much about the lens... can anyone give me any clue whether its good enough for wildlife photography, if its OK for EOS digital and if I will be able to hand hold (even though I know it's pretty weighty!!)

Cheers in advance,

Chris
 
would that be the MKI or MKII non IS version. Canon have made 5 versions of that lens.

Canon FD 400mm f2.8L – manual focus lens for FD system
Canon EF 400mm f2.8L – autofocus lens for EOS cameras
Canon EF 400mm f2.8L II – autofocus lens for EOS cameras with Fluorite element. This lens is reviewed here
Canon EF 400mm f2.8L IS – with image stabilizer
Canon EF 400mm f2.8L II IS – latest lens with power focus mode for use when shooting video, IS-3 mode for the 4-stop image stabilizer, improved image quality and flourine coating at front and back glass surface to repel dust and moisture

The first two 400mm f2.8 were not that good optically. This could be due to lack of any Fluorite element. The last three 400mm f2.8 lenses use one Fluorite element and have excellent optical quality. For the last 3 lenses, camera sensor, subject movement, atmospheric haze and photographers skills are more likely to be the limiting factor.

As canon will no support the 1st 3 lenses, i.e. spares etc, they only keep parts for up to 10 years life of the lens, so if you get a problem, repairing the lens, might become a major issue
 
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Hi Pete,

It is the Mark I Eos Auto focus version.... would you say that it would be a better or worse choice than the 100-400mm or would it even be worth going for the 400mm f5.6??

Cheers
 
The 400mm f5.6 a cracking lens. Having never used a MKI non IS 400mm I can comment, but I've read several reviews that have been critical of the older 400mm f2.8 lenses
 
Birder_Griff said:
Starting to sound like sometimes bigger isn't better then!!
Click to expand...

Just advancements in technology. People would say the 100-400mm IS system ain't upto scratch nowadays, but the technology has advanced 12 years since it was 1st built. The FD and 1st EOS lens are really quite old now and there's been some major advancements in glass technology, so in answer to your question, it depends. I think a MKII non version would be double the price of the MKI, say £2000-2500, maybe more, the 400mm IS MKI about £4000 used
 
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