Wildlife Lens Poll

[TeacherMan]

This has been driving me crazy, I'm going to be purchasing some new camera equipment shortly and I'm having a hard time choosing a lens. The lens will have one purpose and that is wildlife. Which one would you pick and why? All the lenses are canon L series. They are all in the same general price range.

[Skinner]

Good question I am looking also so I can't wait to see what answers you get. Good Luck!

[popeshawnpaul]

My vote is for the 300mm f4 L IS.  It is the best quality of all these lenses at 300mm, it has speed at f4, and it has IS.  Plus, with a 1.4x it can be a decent 420mm f5.6 with IS.  It won't be quite as sharp as the 400mm f5.6 L, but the 400mm lens doesn't have IS...  It is super tack sharp at 400mm though.

I have a 70-200 f2.8 L IS and a 1.4x I use on it.  It is just too short for most wildlife work.  It is a mid range combination.  

What type of wildlife photography do you intend to do?  Are you going to be doing a lot of bird photography, shooting in parks where you can get close, shooting hunted animals at distance?  

[M_ray]

I don't have enough experience to tell you one way or the other ... But I can tell you however if you do what ever Pope tells you to do you'll be way ahead of the game! And probably save yourself some headache, heartbreak & money as well! 

[huntnphool]

I would go with the 70-200 myself and let me explain why. I know I wouldnt be satisfied with the 300mm L f/4 for wildlife and would be looking to pick up the Canon 400MM F4.0 DO USM IS AF as soon as possible. Once I did that I know I would never use the 300 again and it would just collect dust, but the 70-200 would be a better gap filler for my shots once I has the 400.

[Slider]

Pope is this one any good? 

http://www.nextag.com/Canon-400mm-F2-8-500496311/prices-html

[huntnphool]

Pope is this one any good?

Got to remember Slider, that thing is 11 pounds, more than twice as heavy as the 400mm f/4 DO

[boneaddict]

does none of the above apply?   

I would think the 300 f4 out of those.

[Slider]

I voted for the 300mm f4.   

[boneaddict]

Yeha you would Mr, probably photo of the year.

[popeshawnpaul]

Huntnphool has a good point.  Eventually you are going to want a good mid range 70-200 so get it now and deal with the limitations until you can get the lens you want.  That is what I'm currently doing.  However, I still think I would get the 300mm f4.  If you get it used for $800 you can sell it for that much in a year or two.  They don't really drop in value.  Even if you pay full value of $1100 then you can resell it for 80% of the value.  L lenses hold their value.  You can always trade up.  Dealing with the limitations can be agonizing and expensive on your lens rental budget... 

[Geno]

I feel like I'm in the minority with a Nikon.

[huntnphool]

I feel like I'm in the minority with a Nikon.

You are but it doesnt mean you have infearior gear.

[yajsab]

I got the 70-200 f4 for Yellowstone last summer.  I felt the need for a longer range for wildlife.

[Elkman]

I learned long ago that that I could deal with the zoom limitations, but not the light limitations.
I to would do the 300 f4 out of the choices.