Canon 400 5.6 / Canon 100-400L

[randallhamster]

Hi

Over the next month or 2 (before April) i will be looking at getting a new lens and was thinking either the Canon 400mm 5.6L or the Canon 100-400L to be used on a Canon 7D

I would be using it for my sons club cricket , the odd bird shots as i do a little bit of photography for my local conservation group to help with their portfolio for grants etc and finally animals but these would be in a captive environment.

I was thinking of the 400l as i am guessing it would be the length i would mainly be using.

I also have a 70-200L F4 Canon Lens

Im currently using a Sigma 50-500 (non os) and find it spends a little time 'searching' if the conditions are not quite right.

I just wondered if anybody had any experience of these lenses for the purposes mentioned

Thanks in advance
Simon

 

[PhrozeN_FisH]

I have never used the 400L, but it is supposed to be sharper than the 100-400; however, you will be limited with a fixed focal length. Personally, I prefer the versatility of my 100-400.

 

[martin73]

Hi, I have recently purchased the 100-400, I have also used a family members fixed 400 and the biggest selling point for me was the ability to zoom. I find it a zillion times easier to find the bird in the tree or in the sky then quickly zoom in and grab the shot. When I used the fixed 400, I found I was constantly waving about the sky or tree looking for the bird, but I do suspect that with practice, finding the subject with the fixed lens would become allot easier.