Canon 200-400mm Super Zoom Replacement For Canon 100-400 Mark II

by Stephen Baird-Parker
(Kidderminster, UK)

Canon 200-400mm Zoom With Built in 1.4x Tele Converter

Canon 200-400mm Zoom With Built in 1.4x Tele Converter


I have a 100-400mm mk2 which is amazing. I am thinking of stepping up to a 200-400 with 1.4 ex. (tele extender)
One thing that I have noticed is that there are a lot of these available second hand.
I presume that after people have had the lens later trade it in.
So, the question is: what do people then trade up to? 600mm? 800mm?
I would really like to know before I buy the wrong lens.

Hi Stephen,

Thanks for your questions about upgrading from the Canon EF 100-400mm II. This is a fascinating topic because of the large amount of money involved.

First of all, I have to come clean and let you know I've never used the 200-400mm, although I took a serious look at it also. I graduated from a 400mm f/5.6, which I loved, to a 100-400mm Mark II also.

My biggest disappointment is that I lose auto-focus with 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 combined a 1.4x II tele converter when used with a Canon 70D or a 5D Mark II.

Advantage of a Canon 200-400mm f/4.0

I've also considered a 150-600 Tamron (or Sigma), then a Canon 400mm prime f/4, as it's half the price of the Canon 200-400mm f/4.0 with tele extender that you're talking about. Certainly the f/4.0 maximum aperture of the 200-400mm lens is a big advantage of the lens, but is it worth the $10,999 investment?

On the surface, it's possible that there are many of the 200-400mm lenses available because many of the original owners were not thrilled with its zoom range? I have no data to support this, but the number of photographers who purchase an 800mm lens must be minuscule. It's more likely that they would get the extra magnification using a high power prime like a 600mm and pair it with a 1.4x or 2.0x tele extender,

Thanks,
Bruce

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starstarstarstarstar 		Extender Any Good?
by: Anonymous

I agree that I have yet to take a satisfactory image with the 1.4ex on my 100-400 lens. I have already ditched the 2.0ex.
However I have put the 1.4ex on my 600mm prime lens and the results are stunning.
I think I want my 2.0 ex back !!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Canon 600mm f4 Purchase
by: Stephen

Just to say I’ve made my decision. What I want is the sharpest wildlife photos possible I have always used a zoom.
But having thought about it a lot and realised that the 200-400 and the 600 f4 are the same weight and not so different in price I am going the whole hog and taking delivery today of the 600 mm lens.
I will review it on here and then you can see my entries in Wildlife photographer of the year when I get back from whale watching in Monterey Bay.!!!!
Incidentally, for this trip I hope to use the 600 on a 1D x mk 3 if I can get delivery!! I will also review that here.
And, just in case you wondered I haven’t just robbed a bank, I am just lucky to have been left the money!!

AWESOME! Can't wait to see some photos from the 600mm f/4.0!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Tele Extender Any Good?
by: Anonymous

I am never happy with the 1.4ex on my 100-400 lens. Just today I have tested it taking photos of a lens focus checking sheet and the 2 images came out identical.

However, in the field I am convinced that my bird photos, when using the extender, are slightly mushy.
I don’t know if I can bring myself to buy a Sigma lens. However before I went full frame I had a Sigma wide angle (10-20?) which was amazing.
Deciding to buy a 600 or 800 is a big ask!!!

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Author Bruce Lovelace
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Bruce Lovelace is the publisher of Canon Camera Geek. Read more about him on the About Page. He also publishes how to articles and camera gear reviews at the Photography Tips website.

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