500mm F4 Canon or 300mm F2.8 or new body?

[Guy]

Thanks again...

Could I ask which 1.4 converter gives you auto focus on the 50-500 as my sigma does not and the canon converter's i have do not fit the sigma..

I do go birding some times, but I suppose what a really need is fast 2.8 or less for the theater stuff. reach can be either 3-4-or 500 I guess I am happy with my current body although dust is a constant problem and needs regular cleaning. reviews give the 300 2.8 as the best image quality even with a 1.4 it is supposed to be good, what ever i get i will probably get the 500 at some point,, so I guess it is between the 3oo and 400 2.8 I already have sturdy tripods..

thanks again for your views..

[gordon g]

The only way I managed AF with a 50-500 (of which I have had 2), was by using a cheap 7 pin kenko TC or taping pins on a 10 pin TC. It wasnt very reliable except in good light with high contrast subjects using the centre focus point, even on the 1DsII.
However, doing this just about gave you AF using a 2*TC.
The TC use I referred to in my previous post was with a sigma 500mm f4.5 prime (Sorry if that wasnt clear)

[Joe]

I'm suprised the number of people recommending the 500mm f/4?! ...... If you do a lot of theatre work a 300mm f/2.8 is ample for nice light gathering power and magnification. The 300mm f/2.8 is also a far more realistic proposition for handholding, when compared to the monster 400mm f/2.8 of 500mm f/4.
Have often thought about the merits of a 400mm f/2.8 for more sports work, but would need to really justify it.

Personally I would go for a secondhand 300mm f/2.8, and use the saving to buy an 85mm f/1.4 or 135mm f/2 (or thereabouts).....iso and shutter speeds will benefit greatly. They're not the choice of many stage and theatre photographers for nothing

[gordon g]

If you only go birding occasionally, I'd stick with the 50-500 for that - in reasonable light it performs well, especially if stopped down to f8. (And the 1DsII will give relatively smooth results at high ISO).
I think Joe has given some sound advice if theatre/stage useage is your mainstay. (And of course, with a 300 f2.8, you can add a 2*TC and have a 600 AF combo for birding)

[spotlightkid]

Looks like you have quite an investment in 'glass' already. Toss the coin, Bru! Get yourself a 30D or 40D (check the sharpness of all your lenses on this body) or a 50D. see http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/revel.../~3/421181279/
for Scott Kerby's opinion.

[sassan]

No one is a better judge for your tools than yourself.
In this side of ponds we have many photo stores that are renting tools. You may want to try something similar and put hand on each of these babies on two separate week ends on a similar task assignment and then see it for yourself, which one works best for you. I am still for 300mm F2.8 plus 2x mk ii TC.

[Guy]

Thank yo all for your comments..

I have now taken delivery of the 300mm F2.8 and the 85mm F1.2

Will have fun trying them out..

cheers

Guy

[Joe]

lucky you...two fabulous lenses
Good luck getting great shots.
The 85mm 1.2 (or even a 1.4) are lenses I'd love to own.

[sassan]

Originally Posted by Guy

Thank yo all for your comments..

I have now taken delivery of the 300mm F2.8 and the 85mm F1.2

Will have fun trying them out..

cheers

Guy

Add me also to the list of jealous ones who hate you dearly!

Congratulation and enjoy every shade of spectrum these gems will bring into you life.
Hope to share some of your first shoots with us.