Need EF mount Lens opinions

tmelo

Hello all,

My daughter has started participating in some horse riding shows. I'm using a 40d with 70-200 F/4L non - IS, but I find it not long enough. So far F4 has been fine for me...plenty of light and shutter speed.

What i need honestly is a lens that will get me just a little closer but on a budget with decent optical quality. I realize optical quality and budget don't often go together but any ideas?

Thanks

JimKarczewski

Canon 100-400, Sigma 150-500. Not sure on prices but those should get you started. 150-500 I know was dark. 6.3 @ 500 I believe. Where as the 100-400 is 5.6. $1500 vs $950 (Canon v Sigma)

Teleconverter might be an option? $500, add a 1.4x? Would give you an effective reach of 448mm vs 320mm that you currently have on your 40D and I believe you'll go to 5.6 and maintain AF, where as if you go to the 2x TC you'd loose AF but go up to 640, but then you are at f8 I believe....

ThatCanonGuy

A teleconverter (the ver I or II are around $200-$300), or a maybe a better option, a 300 f/4L IS. About $1K.

JimKarczewski

Yeah, sorry, I was thinking MSRP, not actual retail price on the TC. I'd get the new II vs the older I. However, you need to make sure your lens is on the list that work with the TC.. Not every lens does.

tmelo

Thanks, I think I'll rent both and give them a try.

ThatCanonGuy

The ver I and II are the same except the II is weathersealed. The 70-200 f/4 isn't weathersealed anyway, but the I and II go for about the same price.

The recently announced ver III is in stock now at Adorama and B&H for $500.

I wouldn't get a 2x, that would make the 70-200 a 140-400 f/8, which would not autofocus on a 40D. I'd get a 1.4x.

Just remember, a 1.4x TC multiplies everything my 2x: focal length, aberrations, flaws, everything. A 2x, of course, multplies everything by 2x.

EDIT: I'm sure you saw my error, a 1.4x TC multiplies everything by 1.4x, not 2x.

JimKarczewski

ANd I meant a III, not a II in my post. The III supposedly has better optics... which always helps..

FYI, looked up compatibility, I was curios which lenses it will work with.. Canon states: This lens is only compatible with fixed focal length L-series lenses 135mm and over, as well as the EF 70-200/2.8L, EF 70-200/2.8L IS, EF 70-200/4L, and EF 100-400/4.5-5.6L.

borrowlenses.com

There is also the 300 f/4 and 400 f/5.6 - both are L lenses.