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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Epsomsalt" data-source="post: 1493454" data-attributes="member: 63083">Hi Richard,I started my Bird photography about 2 years ago and bought my 400 F/5.6L shortly thereafter - it is, as most would agree an excellent piece of kit for bird photography.  All my gallery and website photographs have been taken with this lens, most with an EOS 400D and more recently with the EOS 50D.I am now looking to exchange my 400 prime for the 100-400 zoom (heresy I hear some people shout!) My decision is nothing at all to do with any dissatisfaction with the 400 prime it is simply because the 100-400 zoom will give me more flexibility.  It has a closer  minimum focus distance (and I have missed some butterfly shots recently because the min focus distance on the prime is 3.5metres and by the time I had backed away the butterfly had gone!) and of course I can use any focal length between 100 and 400 as opposed to the sole option with the prime.I am expecting to see a bit of a fall off in IQ at 400mm with the lens wide open at F5.6 with the zoom but who knows I may be pleasantly surprised.  In summary I doubt you would be disappointed with any 'L' series lens so go for whichever best meets your photographic needs.  The only thing I would caution you against is going for a cheaper option - save up until you can afford 'L' glass - you will not regret it whichever lens you buy.Enjoy you photography!Cheers,Chris</blockquote>