which dyu think is better

[craigieboi]

am looking for a 'long' lens........

possibles so far are the Canon EF 300mm f4L IS USM or the Canon EF 400mm f5.6L USM or the Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM which dyu think outta them are best VFM?....

i want for wildlife shots:confused:

[Lukechromis]

This is a tricky one.
400mm is good if your're using a tripod. But if not no as it hasn't got IS.
300mm pin sharp great lens - i want one but you are stuck with 300 or a bit more if you stick a 1.4 converter on it.
100-400 IS. - i have this it is a great lens. Not as sharp as the 300mm but you will get that as its not prime. Most of my photos here are taken with it:
http://picasaweb.google.com/LukeMassey08

Hope this helps,
Luke

[craigieboi]

thanks luke :thumbsup:

[Dreamsphere]

I use a 100-400 for wildlife, sometimes with a 1.4x converter and it's still not long enough (I have been known to use two 1.4x converters but that's 2 stops lost). I agree the 100-400 is a little softer but only at full stretch and I'd rather have the record than perfection. I can/do hand hold the zoom but tend to use a carbon monopod if I'm out and about otherwise a good tripod is the answer.

I think it really depends on your subject matter and what camera you intend to use it with. If you have a 20+mpx sensor then you can crop further into an image so the 300 may be enough.

Oh for a 500m f4... sigh... ;-)

[Lukechromis]

MMM 500mm.........:D.
I find 100-400mm is fine for wildlife. I had a 170-500 sigam before and downsized.
If you're using hides etc or using fieldwork you can get pretty close to most british wildlife birds etc.:thumbsup: