thanks for the tip! ive been looking around and i think an IS is definitely valuable... i am considering a happy medium.. a 300mm prime w IS

 

A 300 prime will get better quality shots, but the responsibility for getting the framing and closeness is all on you.

Those zooms make range VERY easy. That prime lens will have you running around madly trying to get the right spot lol.

 

and when you have to learn how to compose a shot you in turn become a better photographer.

 

ive had a 300mm in the past. just not a very good one. and when i was shooting birds especially it was always completely zoomed in and sometimes even then i felt like i needed more reach. i can see how it can be a bit difficult but after having already owned 300mm before i know what to expect for the most part. even framing i can fix in photoshop so long as the quality is good.

 

Have the 70-200 2.8 IS & 1.4x on a 30D and it lacks reach. The few times I've shot birds it's too short and the 30D doesn't have enough pixels to crop. Get the 100-400. The 70-200 is almost perfect for kiddie sports or indoor (non-sport) events.

400 f5.6 thread on FM

BTW: f2.8 + 1.4x = f4

 

^ Just remember al those were shot with a 400m 5.6 PRIME not the zoom.

 

oh yeah i dunno if i want to get a 400mm prime, thats a bit much to work with. if i got 400mm id def be looking at a zoom just for the usability. 300mm is about as high as i want to get prime at this time.

 

A

 

I think your right on not wanting JUST the 400mm for the prime. Its rather difficult when you have just a few lenses to choose such a specialized lens.

For me over the years it got easier as I picked up one lens at a time. Today I dont think about it much as I own a prime in 300mm,400mm and 500mm.

Of those the 300mm f4 non is is my fave and it gets used often!

 

yeah until my budget expands i have to stay pretty limited, but i have experienced the difference in a prime lens's quality so i can see why 300 and 400mm primes are common favs. and in the future a 500mm might be in my arsenal too!