> -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Gary Lawton > Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2004 2:10 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: EOS lens advice needed > > > > I've decided I need to part with some of my hard earned cash in order to > get more focal length. Really, the decision wasn't that hard.... ;-) My > current max combination of the 70-200 f/2.8L plus the 1.4x extender on a > 10D body just doesn't give me enough magnification even with the focal > length multipliers of the 10D. > > I fancy the 400mm f/4 DO as a next leap up, but if I'm going to spend > that much I could just bite the bullet and go for the 500mm f/4 'cos the > price difference isn't that great (but the wieght difference is!). But > then I fear, I'd need to purchase something in-between like the 300mm > f/4... What are the chances of picking up an older second hand non-IS > 500mm?? > > I know the answer is going to boil down to what I plan to shoot, which > on this glass would be mainly wildlife and sports, but I'd appreciate > any pearls of wisdom... > > Thanks > Gary > >
Hi Gary, If you limit yourself to f/5.6 which is about as slow as you can go and still get decent AF performance out of an EOS 10D you may find the EF 500 4.5L (on a 10D about 800mm), is too limiting in practice and the same can be said of the EF 500 4L IS. At [EMAIL PROTECTED]/4 and 1,[EMAIL PROTECTED]/5.6 the EF 500 4L IS may be too long with an EOS 10D for many uses. The EF 400 f/4DO IS (this is NOT an "L" class lens and for good reason), or EF 300 2.8L IS lenses may be better choices and offer better compromises depending on what you shoot and how. The other option of the EF 300 2.8L IS is not too far from the EF 400 f/4DO IS in terms of weight/ size and price. Considering that the EF 300 2.8L IS can offer you [EMAIL PROTECTED]/2.8 (MUCH sharper and a stop faster than an EF 70-200 2.8L IS with EF 1.4X), [EMAIL PROTECTED]/4 (about the same as the EF 400 f/4 DO IS optically), and [EMAIL PROTECTED] compared to the EF 400 f/4DO IS 35mmEFOV of [EMAIL PROTECTED]/4 and [EMAIL PROTECTED]/5.6. Granted the EF 300 with an EF 2XII might not quite match the EF 400DO w/EF 1.4X optically but I doubt the differences are going to amount to much if any and you get an extra focal length that is one stop faster for the very low price of an EF 2X II converter. If you had a full frame body like an EOS 1Ds or Kodak 14/c I'd consider an EF 400 f/4DO IS which is how I got there. I'm not a big fan of the 400DO after shooting with it briefly on my EOS 1Ds and EOS 1D bodies but this might change once I get a chance to shoot with it more. Don't get me wrong the 400DO is a good lens but like many lenses may not be the best option in some shooting conditions. BTW I shoot mostly motorsports, yachts, equestrian, people, products (commercial, lifestyle/fashion) and architecture (weird mix huh?). Cheers/Chip * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
