Canon 28-300 0r 100-400

Thanks for all the info guys i am well chuffed…so i decided to re-vamp my kit completely…i traded in some of my gear and sold some on ebay…so my bag consists of

1 x Canon 40D
1 x Nikon D70

1 x Canon 100-400 ISM lens
1 x Canon 17-85 ISM

1 x Sigma 50-500 Nikon Fit
1 x Nikon 70-300
1 x Nikon 28-80

so think this should cover every occasion with all my trade ins and PX it cost me about £1000…so well worth the effort i think

I think all that’s going to happen here is confusion. I’ve found the 28-300 consistantly sharper over it’s range than the 100-400 which is noticable soft above 350mm.

All three are great lenses when used to their strengths. Your best bet is to way up costs against what you really want from the lens.

I have a 100-400mm too and am very satisfied about it 😉 , I had the Bigma 50-500 in the past and must say the range of that lens was better but the 100-400 is sharper and has IS and the 50-500 is a heavy lens :rolleyes: , the 28-300 L is also a good lens but it costs much more and I’ve heard and read on some sites that she is quiet less sharper than the 100-400 , so if you really don’t need the wide angle go and get the 100-400 , you won’t regret , believe me 😉

I have a second body with a Canon 17-85IS so I can shoot in all ranges and don’t need to change the lenses 😉

Thanks again excellent feedback now im confused…i am looking for a versatile lens that i can capture static shots, taxing, flying..i like taking close up shots of the noses/cockpits of aircraft when taxing..also love those landing shots with smoking wheels….on the 28-300 as anyone tried a 2 x converter?…it will increase the range but do these decrease the quality of the image?

If you really worried about the range of the 28-300, then I would go for the 50-500. 50mm is wide enough for decent taxying shots say of aircraft taxying infront of the Land Warfare Hall at Duxford shot from the fence. It’s a very good lens.

The 28-300 is incompatible with convertors though you can use extension tubes. The real advantage is IS for those slow shutter speed shots.

I’ve actually decided when I can afford it, my next lens purchase will be the 28-300L IS. I’m still keeping my Sigma 50-500 (which I love), but I like the idea of having a very high quality lens that will cover such a large range of focal lengths, covering both aviation and much of my non-aviation shooting. All I need now is money. Damn this expensive hobby!

Paul

Sounds like the Sigma 50-500 HSM . DG is what will do what you are asking.

the 50mm end is not very wide but will still get a good cockpit shot from
20ft away if not more . i have used a 50-500 for a few years and it does a good allround job. and is around £550 brand new.

Confused .:confused:

I’ll be in the minorty then! 😀

I have the 28-300mm lens as I already use a 400mm prime lens on another body and there was no point having another 400mm that doesn’t quite reproduce the quality of the prime and is so long at the short end.

It is a very, very good lens and I would say slightly better than the 100-400mm in terms of image quality throughout it’s range. It’s a heavy beast like the 100-400 though it slightly more modern being a newer design with a slightly different IS set up etc. If you are looking for a very versatile lens for capturing the odd flying shots as well as taxying and static shots then the 28-300 is brilliant. A lot of photojournalists use it as it goes from standard focal lengths to telephoto without the need the change lens.

If you want predominatly flying shots, then the 100-400mm is probably your better option thanks to a slightly longer reach. From what I’ve seen of that lens it does tend to go a little soft over 350mm. The 100-400 is also a fair bit cheaper than the 28-300mm lens though both will last a very long time.

If you want a little of both, then I would suggest the Sigma 50-500mm HSM DG lens. It doesn’t quite have the same brilliant USM focussing as the Canons, though it’s image quality is very good and it is slightly sharper at 400mm than the Canon. I used the earlier RF APO version of this lens for a number of years and was very pleased with it and still keep it as a back up lens.

Thanks again excellent feedback now im confused…i am looking for a versatile lens that i can capture static shots, taxing, flying..i like taking close up shots of the noses/cockpits of aircraft when taxing..also love those landing shots with smoking wheels….on the 28-300 as anyone tried a 2 x converter?…it will increase the range but do these decrease the quality of the image?

For use on Aviation like airshows etc.
than go for the 100/400. going with the 28/300 the 28mm end is a bit long for some static shots and the 300mm end you may find a little short for flying shots.you will find a lot of aviation snappers useing Canon gear go for the 100/400.

I’ll be in the minorty then! 😀

I have the 28-300mm lens as I already use a 400mm prime lens on another body and there was no point having another 400mm that doesn’t quite reproduce the quality of the prime and is so long at the short end.

It is a very, very good lens and I would say slightly better than the 100-400mm in terms of image quality throughout it’s range. It’s a heavy beast like the 100-400 though it slightly more modern being a newer design with a slightly different IS set up etc. If you are looking for a very versatile lens for capturing the odd flying shots as well as taxying and static shots then the 28-300 is brilliant. A lot of photojournalists use it as it goes from standard focal lengths to telephoto without the need the change lens.

If you want predominatly flying shots, then the 100-400mm is probably your better option thanks to a slightly longer reach. From what I’ve seen of that lens it does tend to go a little soft over 350mm. The 100-400 is also a fair bit cheaper than the 28-300mm lens though both will last a very long time.

If you want a little of both, then I would suggest the Sigma 50-500mm HSM DG lens. It doesn’t quite have the same brilliant USM focussing as the Canons, though it’s image quality is very good and it is slightly sharper at 400mm than the Canon. I used the earlier RF APO version of this lens for a number of years and was very pleased with it and still keep it as a back up lens.

For use on Aviation like airshows etc.
than go for the 100/400. going with the 28/300 the 28mm end is a bit long for some static shots and the 300mm end you may find a little short for flying shots.you will find a lot of aviation snappers useing Canon gear go for the 100/400.

That’s great advise Vulcan thank you…made up my mind its the 100-400 then

New or used?

New – its a reasonable as an import price (assuming it includes delivery and duty / VAT) if a UK retailer then it’s very good.

Used – Check the age and any service history. There is an issue with barrel seizures on older units (2 years old or more) but recent units seem to be much better. Get a warranty for at least 6 months if it’s from a retailer.

Jeff

As an asside, watch out for the 17-85, they distort badly at the wide end.

Thanks for the info…yes it was £799 brand new and includes delivery and comes with a Canon warranty…so sounds a good deal?..

For use on Aviation like airshows etc.
than go for the 100/400. going with the 28/300 the 28mm end is a bit long for some static shots and the 300mm end you may find a little short for flying shots.you will find a lot of aviation snappers useing Canon gear go for the 100/400.

thanks

i have just purchased my 40D….have the chance of a Canon 100-400 at £799 wondered if this was a good price?

New or used?

New – its a reasonable as an import price (assuming it includes delivery and duty / VAT) if a UK retailer then it’s very good.

Used – Check the age and any service history. There is an issue with barrel seizures on older units (2 years old or more) but recent units seem to be much better. Get a warranty for at least 6 months if it’s from a retailer.

Jeff

As an asside, watch out for the 17-85, they distort badly at the wide end.

Sounds good to me. Bought mine half a year ago for € 1380. Was the best price in NL then.

I’m very happy with my 100-400 on my 20D. It’s a popular airshow lens, obviously for good reasons. At airshows 100 mm * 1.6 is often too long. For the shorter range I use an EFS 17-85 IS. So I have to change lens very often, with all the disadvantages. I’m going to buy an extra body next year, probably a 40D.

thanks

i have just purchased my 40D….have the chance of a Canon 100-400 at £799 wondered if this was a good price?

I’m very happy with my 100-400 on my 20D. It’s a popular airshow lens, obviously for good reasons. At airshows 100 mm * 1.6 is often too long. For the shorter range I use an EFS 17-85 IS. So I have to change lens very often, with all the disadvantages. I’m going to buy an extra body next year, probably a 40D.