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Author Topic: Canon L lenses, a rethink of my kit bag  (Read 4025 times)

dhansak79

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Canon L lenses, a rethink of my kit bag
« on: March 07, 2007, 02:47:37 am »

I currently own the following equipment:
Canon EOS 1Ds
Canon 17-40mm f/4L
Canon 70-200mm f/4 L
Canon 300mm f/4 L IS
Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro

I very seldom use the 300mm lens although I do have an assignment coming up this year where I plan to shoot puffins on the Isle of May in Scotland and also plan to do some other wildlife photography over the coming months.

The 70-200mm gets quite a bit of use but nothing huge and mostly landscape work.

My 17-40mm is used pretty much all of the time as landscape is what I do most of the time.  I love the 17mm wide angle on this lens.

The 100mm macro is a recent purchase which I haven't had the chance to work with much yet, but plan to.

I am planning to buy myself the 24-105mm f/4 L IS as a general purpose lens for when on holiday and not wanting to carry an entire bag of kit.  This lens will also plug the 40-70mm gap that I have currently.

What I have been considering doing is selling the 70-200 and 300 and buying myself the 100-400 instead.  This will give me a wider focal range and cut my kit down by one lens.  What do people think of this idea?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Daniel
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AHAB

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Canon L lenses, a rethink of my kit bag
« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2007, 08:59:35 pm »

100-400 - some wildlife photographers do produce great work with this lens.
Art Morris uses this lens with great results:
www.birdsasart.com
I have used it for sports and some wildlife as well.
Results are good depending on conditions.
It will not compete with the 400 2.8.

Overall it can be very useful especially if you really want to cut back on the lenses you are carrying across the world.
Best of luck,
AHAB
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daniel voges

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Canon L lenses, a rethink of my kit bag
« Reply #2 on: March 10, 2007, 11:03:28 am »

Quote from: AHAB,Mar 7 2007, 08:59 PM
100-400 - some wildlife photographers do produce great work with this lens.
Art Morris uses this lens with great results:
www.birdsasart.com
I have used it for sports and some wildlife as well.
Results are good depending on conditions.
It will not compete with the 400 2.8.

I had the 100-400, sold it, that said I used it with a 20D. Maybe with a newer model camera the focusing will be better, I also found it to be soft wide open. The push pull zoom also draw dust into the lens. So try before you buy!!!.
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AHAB

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Canon L lenses, a rethink of my kit bag
« Reply #3 on: March 11, 2007, 05:33:36 pm »

I just reread your original post, you already have the 300 F4 L IS so
I would keep the 300 and add a 1.4 ext.

The 70-200 is a keeper as well.

I would not recommend the 100-400, you would really be stepping down in image quality in comparison to the 300 f4.

I have had the 100-400 for many years, (use it for convience for Middle School sports and wildlife when I don't want to bring out the 400 2.8) I have not expereinced the dust sucking effect that I keep hearing about.

The 100 macro is an excellent lens and very sharp.
If money was not an issue buy the new 16-35 that is just coming out.
16-35 2.8 (Version 2)
add 24-70 2.8
100 2.8
70-200 f4 maybe upgrade to the 70-200 2.8 L IS
300f4 maybe upgrade to the 2.8
I just bring whatever I need for a particular assignment and leave the rest at home.
Nothing wrong with having "extra" tools in the shed!
AHAB
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Deep

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Canon L lenses, a rethink of my kit bag
« Reply #4 on: March 14, 2007, 02:14:36 pm »

The Canon 24-70/2.8L is an absolutely stunning lens, very good contrast, resolution, colour, minimal distortion etc.  It would plug your gap and leave you smiling.  It seems a bit short at 70mm but I have found that to be more of a problem in theory than practice.  Try one, if you can.

Don.
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Don

stever

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Canon L lenses, a rethink of my kit bag
« Reply #5 on: March 15, 2007, 12:58:32 pm »

i get an enormous amount of use out of the 24-105 and 100-400, but use the 100-400 on my 20D and the 24-105 on the 5D.  i find the sharpness at long focal lengths disappointing on a full frame (the 300 f4 with 1.4x is not significantly different than the 100-400)

i suggest you rent a 100-400 and give it a try, or if you need long, pick up a 20D body -- a 20D and 100-400 is about the minimum that i've found useful for something like a puffin (the zoom is great for finding the birds quickly in the air)

going long, the 300 f2.8 with extenders is about the minimum that does a full frame camera justice in my experience, even though you can get good shots with the 100-400, and of course shots you'd never get with a heavy prime
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BobShram

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Canon L lenses, a rethink of my kit bag
« Reply #6 on: March 15, 2007, 06:00:13 pm »

Daniel

If you are still looking to sell your 300 4L and are still looking at getting a 100-400L maybe we could do a swap as I am looking for a 300 and have a 100-400 that I dont use that often.

Let me know your thoughts, Bob.
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