lens for wildlife

[Jitendra Katre]

i have sold my tamron 200-500, i am left with canon 400mm... do i have to invest in lens with shorter focal length (like 70-300 or 70-200,f-4 IS +1.4 tc) or it is better to wait and go for even longer lens? ( i have seen many excellent images with lens like 500,f-4),... how about addition of 'kenko pro 1.4 300 DG' to my 400,f-5.6?

[Rajan Kanagasabai]

Hello Dr.Jitendra

I recall a photography session with Sabyasachi, where both of us were shooting Black Bucks. I was switching between the 70-300 and the 150-500 while he was on his 400 Prime (bazooka). At one point, the buck actually went past us with hardly 10 feet to spare and he had to let it go, stalk it further to get a shot. He did get a stunner (what else can you expect from him) but the point is, a smaller focal length would have come in handy.

So, i guess the shorter focal lenghts come in handy on different circumstances, like while on a safari, when larger mammals are out in the wild.

regards
Rajan

[Jitendra Katre]

thank you very much Rajan...

[Sabyasachi Patra]

The 500mm F4 L IS USM lens will definitely offer you much better images due to its longer reach and F4 aperture. You can also use the 1.4 x TC well with this lens. With this combination, you will find it easier to get all those small birds that you love to click.

With the 400mm f5.6 L lens, you can use a 1.4x TC however you would lose autofocus with your camera. With the 1 Series cameras, you can AF with the centre point at f8. Ofcourse, there is a drop in quality.

I don't think buying a 300mm will be of much help, as the difference in focal lengths is not much between 300mm and 400mm.

In case you are going to buy the 500mm f4 IS USM lens, then I would suggest you to sell off the 400mm f5.6 L lens as well and get a 70-200. If you want to save weight and funds, then you can go with the 70-200 f4 L IS version. It will work with the 1.4x TC. Else, you can also buy the 70-200 f2.8 L IS II version. It works well with 1.4x as well as 2x TCs and very sharp.

I confirm Rajan's story. He was the first to get a nice image and I just couldn't. Later on after much effort I could get the image. So it is always advantageous to have a zoom with you.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Jitendra Katre]

thanks Sabyasachi very much...