Canon 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6IS vs. 300mm f/4 IS (1 Viewer)

gmax said:

What is the MFD of the 100-400 against the 300 IS?

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sorry Max I did exactly what others have done and look at the spec of the non-IS version, so MFD is a tick in the box for the 300 f4 IS.

the above discussion illustrates the point that the 100-400 is a great general purpose lens. If I were going on a safari and could only bring one lens to shoot large animals to small birds, 100-400 would be a good choice.

On the other hand, if I wish to specialise in shooting, say, birds in my home patch, I would pick a prime, either 300 f/4 or 400 f/5.6 or 500/600 f/4. The 400 f/5.6 has the edge on AF tracking of birds in flight, while the 300 f/4 IS is very useful for handheld shots of small birds in the bushes (the shorter MFD helps too).

Here are some pictures taken handheld with the 300 f/4 IS + 1.4x TC:

To try to give the OP a fair comparison I've picked out 2 small birds in bushes and 2 flight shots taken with the 100-400and 20d. Wish our little birds were as colourful as Erwinx's

Paul

erwinx said:

On the other hand, if I wish to specialise in shooting, say, birds in my home patch, I would pick a prime, either 300 f/4 or 400 f/5.6 or 500/600 f/4. The 400 f/5.6 has the edge on AF tracking of birds in flight, while the 300 f/4 IS is very useful for handheld shots of small birds in the bushes (the shorter MFD helps too).

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I don't think you'll get anyone disagreeing about the two big Canon primes being outstanding birding lenses, it's just a shame they are so expensive.

I agree that the 400 f5.6 is a great lens, but the original poster was looking for an IS lens which brings it back to his original question, 100-400 IS or 300 f4 IS. Personally I find that for birds you normally want as much reach as possible, so it would be safe at assume the 300 f4 would often be used with a 1.4x tc. This would remove a couple of the advantages of the 300 (the f4 and the faster focusing), so really it comes down to personal preference between a zoom or a prime. Between Paul and your photos you've shown just how good both set ups can be.

I have both lens. I use the 100-400 in Canada while keeping my 300 f4 in Hong Kong so that when I go back, I only need to take the body and 1.4X with me. I find both are good for me. I have a friend who has the 300 F4 IS and 400 F5.6 (No IS) He personally loves the 456 more because its is sharper and focus faster. The draw back is it has a long minimum focusing distance and 5.6 without IS really needs a bit of light or else a tripod.

Thanks

Thanks to everyone who responded to my query regarding an IS lens for my Canon 30D. I have decided to order the 100-400mm zoom. After I have used it for a while I will post my review of the lens and hopefully some pictures!!!

Craig Thayer