Upgradeing

[Schnauzer]

Well I decieded that before I get 2 new lenses I would perfect what I have . I used my new monopod last weekend at a horse show and got about 50% more keepers . I talked to a very nice lady photographer their for a while . She told me when she went to IS it was like daylight and dark with the number of keepers . So I sold my 70-200mm and bought the 70-200mm with IS . I will have it here next week and can't wait to try it . I loved my old 70-200mm , but with the horses running , going over jumps and me trying to pan and keep up I always seemed to lose what would have been my best shots .
Our last horse show is in about 3 weeks and I am anxious to see the results .
Then I am thinking very hard about the 300mm f/4 L IS with a 1.4 extender .
I came soooo close to ordering the 400 f/2.8 L IS . I had the credit card on the desk and had dialed most of B&H's number but $6,500 is a lot of money at my stage in this game .

[Ibn]

Good to see you back on the forum, Ron.

It's always good to have some sort of image stabilization (IS, OS, VR) and I think you've made a wise investment. They really shine when you have to handhold.

[JerseyJay]

Ron,

Sounds like a wise decision at least in my opinion. Here is what I think "perfect" setup should look like.

Nikon lenses as an example but Canon should have similiar setup:

zoom 12-24 mm - wide angle is a must for landscape
zoom 17-80 mm - "walk around setups"
zoom 70-200 mm - another must lens for those up close shots
zoom 400 mm+ - if you are serious about wildlife / sport, 400 and up is a must
prime ~ 50 mm - for those low light situations
prime 85 mm - the best portrait lens
macro 60-180 mm - 1:1 macro is a must and focal lenght depends on your style

I'm in the process of purchasing wildlife / sport setup. I was VERY close to purchasing 400mm 2.8 ($5500 DEMO) but decided to get 500mm. 400mm 2.8 is what every PRO sport shooter is using. Nikon or Canon, both are top notch perfomers.

[paradise]

Jay's list is what I would have if I had all the money to spend. So far I have only lenses on his list :) 100mm Macro, 50mm 1.8 and 12-24 Tokina :) Next is a long lense, still working on it.

[Schnauzer]

Good to see you back on the forum, Ron.
Thanks Eric . I have been so busy lately with the new house , Cutting logs for firewood , sawing and splitting .

Thanks Eric and Jay for agreeing with my decision . I am not sure , but I think with the IS I can keep my shutter speed at about 250 or so and get good results , but that is just a guess . I used to run the non IS at about1/ 500 to get good results . I will soon know .

Jay's list is what I would have if I had all the money to spend. So far I have only lenses on his list 100mm Macro, 50mm 1.8 and 12-24 Tokina Next is a long lense, still working on it.

I know what you are saying Ed . I think I will start with the 300mm f/4 L IS and 1.4 extender then upgrade . I have seen that you can sell good L glass with very little loss and quick if it still looks like new . I sold my 70 - 200mm in 37 minutes .

[malawi_luver]

either the 300 f4 is or 400 5.6 ;)

Both quality lenses..

Or 100-400 IS

[hir0]

i agree the 70-200 f2.8 IS should be a very good lens (sure it can't be far from nikon's version). i use mine with a 1.4x tc and love it. keep in mind that IS will only correct the camera shake. it's not going to stop action any better. i would love to have a 400 f2.8 - but i can't justify the purchase (to my wife anyways) unless i'm making money through photography.

[Schnauzer]

HirO ,
I don't think I have been having any problem stopping action since I started useing 1/500 shutter speed . I think the problem I was having was with camera shake . I used my new monopod last weekend and had almost all keepers . The lady photographer I talked to last weekend uses the 100-400mm L IS , all handheld . I have seen a lot of her pictures and they look real good . She told me she sure likes the results she gets with the 100-400 with IS . She is a pro and does all the bigger shows in Maine , NH and Mass .

[benny]

Ron,

I'm amazed at the speed which you go through your equipment! It's good to know that you are seriously enjoying your hobby and can pinpoint exactly where there is a gap in your gear and what you need to get around it.

An alternative to Canon's EF 400 mm F2.8 IS L is the Canon EF 300 mm F2.8 IS L with a 1.4X MK2 teleconverter. Still sharp and relatively fast. And more importantly, the weight of the lens is more managable compared to the 5 kg monster. A very easy upgrade from the 300 F4 when you outgrow it, or better yet, keep the F4 version for lighter and brighter days.

Cheers,

p.s. I think the EF 400 mm F 5.6 L does not have the IS feature.