File :-(, x, )
Lens Anonymous
I need to get a 'super' telephoto lens around 400mm. I shoot rockets and the shuttle and I know 400mm is right where I want to be at. My problem is the price of the lenses and the quality. I want the best quality for the lowest price (don't we all). These are the two lenses that I'm looking at:

EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM is $1,379.95
EF 400mm f/5.6L USM is $1099.00

I would prefer the 100-400 but I'm sketchy about the price. Why is it so low? I would figure that it would cost more for covering such a large zoom range. Anyways, I want to know if the quality is bad because it's a zoom in which case I would choose the prime. The image quality at 400mm is the most important aspect to me. Which would you choose? If you suggest lenses other than these, please let me know.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
YOU NEED ONE OF THESE MY FRIEND
>> Anonymous
the charts on the 100-400 show that it is less sharp and contrasty at 400m than the 400mm prime, and also backed up by user reviews and comparison. these are both budget L lenses, but should still have very good image quality. the price of the prime is also "really low" if you compare it to the pro version of the lens. btw, the $1379 is the gray market version. the us version is $1310 after rebate right now.

if you think youll use the zoom, then get that. the prime is going to be a little bit better image quality though. both are good.
>> Anonymous
200mm + TC
>> Anonymous
What about a used 300mm f/4L and a 1.4x TC? You can get the lens for about $850 and the TC for $150 or so then you have more flexibility in a smaller package for less.
>> Anonymous
>>89028

still, it wouldn't be THAT much less than the 400mm, and it would be reduced in quality by a bit.
>> Anonymous
100-400 is a legend. I'd buy it if I needed cheap 400mm.
>> Anonymous
Thanks a lot /p. I think I'll get the 100mm-400mm.
>> Anonymous
>>89221
retard
zooms suck and the longer the focal length, the more it shows
>> thefamilyman !!rTVzm2BgTOa
if i'm not mistaken, but from my research, the two lenses are about par with each other on the MTF charts.
I would go for the 100-400 zoom as the its about the same quality as the 400mm prime on the MTF charts and is more flexible, been a 4x zoom lens and having IS.
The only thing i dont like about it is that its a push-pull zoom type, but that may not bug you.
(i really want the 80-400mm VR lens for my F5)

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_100400_4556_is/index.htm
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_400_56/index.htm
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/nikkor_80400_4556/index.htm
>> Anonymous
I was going to go for the 100-400mm but today I was talking to a photographer that says he gets a brand new 100-400mm every year because by the end of the year, all the pushing and pulling takes its toll and the lens becomes less sharp because the slider gets warn.
>> Macheath !8b4g0BkNZg
     File :-(, x)
>>89010
No, you need on of these
>> Anonymous
unimpressive
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Maybe a 1400mm f/2.8
yey

[I happen to be selling my 80-400VR btw]

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS 30DCamera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS2 WindowsImage-Specific Properties:Image Width2597Image Height1736Number of Bits Per Component16, 16, 16Compression SchemeUncompressedPixel CompositionRGBImage OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution300 dpiVertical Resolution300 dpiImage Data ArrangementChunky FormatImage Created2006:09:30 17:38:57Exposure Time536871/134217728 secF-Numberf/4.0Exposure ProgramAperture PriorityISO Speed Rating200Lens Aperturef/4.0Exposure Bias0 EVFlashFlashFocal Length24.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width550Image Height390Exposure ModeAutoWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandardContrastNormalSaturationNormalSharpnessNormal
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
hmmm i actually remember a friend telling me that a member of his scout team used a 200-400mm Nikkor to surveillance possible insurgent snipers in Iraq...

just see all these massive bazookas made me think of other applications aside from sports... papparazzis would probably love them too.
>> DRM
>>89501
1200mm f/5.6 EF

Special order only, retail price around $80,000 US
>> Anonymous
>>89501

Now that's a lens!
>> Anonymous
>>89501
is that a little pop up flash on the camera? if so lol, if not need /hr/
>> Anonymous
>>89501

She has a big and expensive set up. Clearly she is the best of us.
>> Anonymous
>>89501
Imagine one of those on an four-thirds camera with a couple teleconverters attached.
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
>>89559

>>Imagine one of those on an four-thirds camera

*get the steaks ready for the flame war*
>> Anonymous
cheap Mirror Reflex lens does the trick =)
>> Anonymous
>>89565

Might not be the best quality image, but at least you could carry it and it wouldn't cost the price of a car.
>> Anonymous
yeah, i am contemplating buying a used tamron 500mm f/8 reflex for cheap...only the adapter will be a problem.
>> Anonymous
>>89570

Why? Adaptall adapters are very cheap and easily obtainable to nearly every mount made.
>> Anonymous
>>89599
you mean ebay 3rd party stuff? how good is that?
>> Anonymous
>>89602

What do you mean by "3rd party"? If it's made by Tamron, then it's made by Tamron, not some 3rd party random vendor. Anyways, it's just a stupid piece of metal with corresponding bajonets for the lens & camera body
>> Anonymous
And I don't know the prices, but in Finland they sell for 10€ if you know where to buy, like local camera markets etc. People in internet usually rip off a lot more.
>> Anonymous
mirror lenses suck.

exotic super teles like the 1400 2.8 or nikon's old $20k 300 f/2 aren't for photographers. they're for the motion picture industry.

primes are always just a little sharper and have more contrast than zooms.