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04/23/2005 10:57:27 PM · #1 |
Canon USM IS 100-400mm vs 70-200mm + 2x extender?
(dis)Advantages of both? |
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04/23/2005 11:11:13 PM · #2 |
You might want to read this.
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04/23/2005 11:29:20 PM · #3 |
My own internal struggle once my checking account recovers from other recent purchases is actually over the Canon 70-200mm vs the Sigma 80-400mm.
I've been having a discussion about the merits of going each way with a friend of mine, and it's likely to come down to a difference in typical subject matter and shooting environment. As the link that doctornick posted will tell you, you will suffer a noticeable lack of sharpness at anything wider than f/11 with the 2x extender, but you'll have a lens that will give you glorious quality at up to 200 at f/2.8 or f/3.5. If you are shooting mostly portraits or indoor work, and only sometimes might want to bring in a distant subject where you are likely to have a tripod available, the 70-200 is far superior (this is mostly what my friend shoots). If you are more likely to be shooting wildlife, distant landscapes, or doing photojournalism work where a tripod may not be available much of the time, you go with the 80-400 (I'm more likely to shoot this way).
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04/24/2005 12:56:18 PM · #4 |
It would be nice if the newer extenders were tested in the same way. There may be a improvement in sharpness. |
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04/24/2005 09:12:32 PM · #5 |
Well, would i need to go as wide as f/11?
The only time that i'd likely use the extender is in daylight outdoor conditions. Sure, I'd like to use it for some concerts as well.
On the same hand i hope in a year or too to add a 400mm or 600mm unit... |
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04/24/2005 09:51:40 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by DoFear: It would be nice if the newer extenders were tested in the same way. There may be a improvement in sharpness. |
Michael Reichmann did test the newer version of the 2x extender. The result was that it's marginally sharper wide open and at the edges, but actually slightly softer at f/11 at the center. The difference isn't significant. |
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04/24/2005 10:25:43 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by theSaj: Well, would i need to go as wide as f/11?
The only time that i'd likely use the extender is in daylight outdoor conditions. Sure, I'd like to use it for some concerts as well. |
You're going to have a lot of problems at f/11 in a dark area. Even in daylight, unless your target is in direct light, you may have a problem with the shutter speed being forced down too low for handholding, especially if you're trying to expose to the right.
Originally posted by theSaj: On the same hand i hope in a year or too to add a 400mm or 600mm unit... |
If that's the gripping hand, then go with the 70-200 now. You get an excellent portrait and moderate zoom, and you can use the extender if you get desperate in the mean time.
Try lugging around a 600mm before buying, though. You might want to stop at 500mm unless you have dedicated slave labor (employees, wife, small children ;P) to tote it around for you. You may want to read //www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/500vs600.shtml |
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04/24/2005 10:43:28 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by Zed Pobre: Originally posted by DoFear: It would be nice if the newer extenders were tested in the same way. There may be a improvement in sharpness. |
Michael Reichmann did test the newer version of the 2x extender. The result was that it's marginally sharper wide open and at the edges, but actually slightly softer at f/11 at the center. The difference isn't significant. |
Do you have a link for that test? |
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04/24/2005 10:45:59 PM · #9 |
I found it.
//www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/c-ext.shtml
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04/25/2005 01:00:57 PM · #10 |
I just picked up the Tamron AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD ASPHERICAL (IF)MACRO and let me tell you what a lense. Definately a must have. I'll post some pics later.
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