Upgrade opinions 7d + 400mmL 5.6

moochas

moochas

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matt
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Just wanting some advise on upgrade options, i currently use a 7d and 400mmL 5.6 which have served me well but i feel i need to update the camera and get a bit more reach and quality from the lens.
As can be seen i photograph wildlife....
https://www.flickr.com/photos/46431422@N04/

Camera wise, what would be peoples opinion on an upgrade (dont really want FF because glass will cost a small fortune)

I've been looking at sigma 120-300mm os 2.8 but there doesnt seem to be many knocking around 2nd hand and they are still top whack to buy new! there are a few more Nikon fitting 120-300's so i have considered swapping alliances also and looked at getting something like the d7100...would this be a step up from the 7d?.... if no what would be nikons equivalent of an upgrade?

last option is keep the 7d and save money towards a 300mL is 2.8 mk1 2nd hand (mk ii out of price range)

Opinions and advice appreciated and thanks in advance!
 
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I think there's a 120-300 in classifieds now.

Be aware it's a very heavy lens though and I believe the AF speed is slower, although it does produce dome lovely images.
 
Well, FWIW I've just looked at your Flickr images and it looks to me like you're getting great images with the 7D and 400mm f/5.6 that you already have. I'm not sure what the 120-300 Siggy would give you in terms of improved image quality and you would loose reach. What is it you feel you are missing out on?

I use a Siggy 300mm f/2.8 prime and it's a fine lens, but would swap it for a Canon 300 f/2.8 which for me is an aspirational lens. I would also like a 600mm and a 7DII for birding, but who wouldn't.... :)
 
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you could go for the 7D11 and a 1.4 tele con for your 400 5.6 , this will give you the extra reach and still auto focus at f8 :clap:
 
I know you said you didn't want full frame, but without doing the maths is the drop from 400 to 300 much different from crop to full reach wise.
 
Reading another thread regarding the 120-300mm f2.8 sports (I assume you are talking about), it takes the 1.4x TC well, but the 2x TC combination doesn't match in performance of the canon prime with 2x TC. The 400mm f5.6 a great wildlife (bird) lens, fast focusing and sharp. The canon 300mm f2.8 MKI a fantastic lens, and works well with the 1.4x and 2x MKII TCs, can't comment on the MKIII versions, haven't owned them. You could look at the 300mm f2.8 non IS which can be had for a lot less than £2000, or as suggested upgrade to the 7D MKII.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/300mm-2-8-lens-choices.572493/

There are the new Sigma and Tamron 600mm zooms, but performance wise, your 400mm much better wide open although in good light (stopped down) the sigma long zooms will give you decent images on a budget. Unfortunately, if you want to go 500mm or more and keep the performance, it's going to cost you.
 
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Thanks guys, from what iv seen of images taken with the 120-300mm on flickr etc with the 1.4x extender they look pretty decent and id hav the option of the 2x aswel which granted wont keep the iq of the 1.4x but by the looks can produce half decent images. You see my dilemma now! In an ideal world id have the cash to buy a canon 300 and extenders :(
The 7d mk ii option sounds appealing but what would the results be like of a 1.4x on the 400m?!
 
moochas said:
The 7d mk ii option sounds appealing but what would the results be like of a 1.4x on the 400m?!
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....Firstly, looking at your Flickr page, you clearly have a great eye for lighting and your current photography looks very good indeed to me.

I have the 7D Mark II and the 400mm F/5.6L and the Canon 1.4x III combo which you ask about.

You don't lose Autofocus but you can't use more than the central 5 of the total 65 AF pts which the 7D2 has to offer. Personally I don't like the balance of the combo with the 1.4x included and can never get images quite as sharp as when with just the 400mm lens. However, other people like the extenders.

If you don't want to go full-frame, and I can understand why not to if you shoot wildlife and fast action, then the 7D Mark II is Canon's flagship and you'll love the Autofocus system.
 
Thanks redrobin! I do love the 400, just wanting something a bit better at just that little bit extra range (doesnt every1). Is the 7d image quality much different to the original?
 
moochas said:
Thanks redrobin! I do love the 400, just wanting something a bit better at just that little bit extra range (doesnt every1). Is the 7d image quality much different to the original?
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No way would I swap the Canon 400mm F5.6 for the 120-300 zoom in fact I would not swap it for any long sigma Lens
I have a canon 300 F2.8 and also had a Canon 500mm F4 but sold it cos of the size but I use the 400mm more than I use the 300mm some of the best bird photographers in the World use the 400mm F5.6 and no way is a zoom Lens sharper
 
I had a Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 lens, and they are a fine lens, but weigh a ton, it was sharp and clean, worked well with a 1.4TC, not so well with a 2.0TC.

The Canon 300mm F2.8 is a better lens than the Sigma, I have one which is 20 year old, been round the block a few times, but still produces sublime images , and autofocus lock & tracking is better than the Sigma 120-300mm lens.
 
Les, I just have to say how much I like your signature:

Concentrate on equipment and you'll take technically good photographs. Concentrate on seeing the light's magic colours and your images will stir the soul. - Jack Dykinga

Light makes photography. Embrace light. Admire it. Love it. But above all, know light. Know it for all you are worth, and you will know the key to photography" George Eastman

Most of us strive for a high technical standard of images but the bottom line is how evocative they are.
 
Buttkicker said:
No way would I swap the Canon 400mm F5.6 for the 120-300 zoom in fact I would not swap it for any long sigma Lens
I have a canon 300 F2.8 and also had a Canon 500mm F4 but sold it cos of the size but I use the 400mm more than I use the 300mm some of the best bird photographers in the World use the 400mm F5.6 and no way is a zoom Lens sharper
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....Yes, I love my 400 F/5.6L and its results when I can get it all right! However, I am thinking of selling this 400mm and my 300mm F/4L IS to help fund Canon's new 100-400mm II for practical reasons. For years photographers have said that no zoom lens can be sharper than a prime but I wonder if the latest Canon zoom lens technology can equal the 400mm prime. As an amateur not needing large size enlargements, I'm hoping that the Canon 100-400mm II can match this prime or at least be as close not to matter.
 
moochas said:
Thanks redrobin! I do love the 400, just wanting something a bit better at just that little bit extra range (doesnt every1). Is the 7d image quality much different to the original?
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....I can't offer you a reliable opinion whether the 7D Mark II image quality is much different to the original 7D because I have never used a 7D and come from a 70D.

However, I occasionally go 'birding' with a friend who uses a Canon 400mm F/5.6L (same as you and I do for birds) but on an original 7D and we often shoot the same bird. We both shoot RAW but he does less post-processing than I do to exploit the captured image, so it's not a reliable direct comparison. There are many many examples of images shot by others on the original 7D which have excellent image quality and you would be very hard pressed indeed to spot any difference - So much so that it would be insignificant, in my opinion as an amateur.

I think that probably the main advantages of the 7D2 over the 7D are the Autofocus system (similar to the 1DX) and 10 fps. the 7D2 customisable options are extensive and so is the viewfinder info while you shoot. ISO is reported to be better at higher ISO numbers but all that depends on your expectations and some folks can get a bit anal about ISO even if it is important.
 
thanks for the replies guys, iv been out today and got some nice shots with the 400... made me wonder how much difference there would be with the sigma so i think judging by the comments the next upgrade is probably a 300mm canon....better get saving some pennies!
 
moochas said:
...the next upgrade is probably a 300mm canon....better get saving some pennies!
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....Which Canon 300mm? I shall be selling my 300mm F/4L IS via TP Classifieds in the new year but I guess you are referring to the faster version.
 
There's a 2.8 in the classified section...
 
Thanks geejay, i have seen it, just wish i could afford it :(
 
Me too... :)
 
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