Originally Posted by Ric Grupe Since you will probably be using it at 400mm 95% of the time (at least that's what I do with my zooms), I would recommend that you go for the 400 prime and get excellent quality at the focal length that you'll be at most of the time. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to find my subject with the long fixed length.....you get used to it.

I wont leave home without it

Originally Posted by Hawkman I use mainly the 500/4L and 400/5.6L....

Magnificent pictures, Hawkman. The detail quality is superb. Excellent work.

Originally Posted by gildco Very nice captures, LCD. I particularly like your butterfly on the cone flower. Great clarity, color, and composition. Nice work.

Thanks Gil. That's one of my favorites too!
Lisa

Nice shots LCD, I am sold on that lens and am just waiting the tax return to go buy a new toy

Originally Posted by LCD Dalantech, I was really glad to see your input from the macro side. I went from fixed lens to the Canon 20D and have been dying to get a macro lens. Thanks for the input. Great shots! Actually all the sample shots are wonderful. Lisa

Thanks!

Originally Posted by LCD Lisa this image...

...deserves to be printed large and framed -composition, lighting, background, you really nailed it!

Originally Posted by Dalantech ...deserves to be printed large and framed -composition, lighting, background, you really nailed it!

Thanks Dalantech. It's really nice to know that occassionaly I can do justice to the equipment.

I use the 300mm 2.8L IS on all these shots

Excellent examples and aurguments by all. I use Canon gear mostly because of the superior ISO performance, but still wish I could use that Nikon 200-400 f/4 VR... So, until Canon decides to match that (and I don't think the 100-400 f/5.6 IS comes close), I will continue to use my absolute favorite lens, the 70-200 f/2.8 IS. With a 1.4x converter, it gets me pretty close to the range I use most. When combined with the 500 f/4 (which also works well with the 1.4x), I am very satisfied with my wildlife equipment:









Cheers,
Scott

Great thread and very good info and images here. Wish I had seen it sooner!

As luck would have it, I did finally make the 'right' purchase of a long lens for my D200 - the Nikkor 300mm f4. I love it. Fast AF, super sharp, and is light enough to backpack. The close focus distance allows for some 'semi-macor' shots as a bonus. Now I just need to bite the price bullet and get the TC14.

Previously my main long lens was the Sigma 70-200 f2.8. It is fine for sports but a bit soft with the 1.4TX. Does not focus as fast at the Nikkor.

Anyone have the 200-400 f4 VR? That looks like one sweet lens for wildlife. If you can handle the weight. Which apparently one must do for great bird shots like I see posted on these forums. Guess I better head out to the gym for some upper body work.

Originally Posted by TomaS Great thread and very good info and images here. Wish I had seen it sooner! As luck would have it, I did finally make the 'right' purchase of a long lens for my D200 - the Nikkor 300mm f4. I love it. Fast AF, super sharp, and is light enough to backpack. The close focus distance allows for some 'semi-macor' shots as a bonus. Now I just need to bite the price bullet and get the TC14. Previously my main long lens was the Sigma 70-200 f2.8. It is fine for sports but a bit soft with the 1.4TX. Does not focus as fast at the Nikkor. Anyone have the 200-400 f4 VR? That looks like one sweet lens for wildlife. If you can handle the weight. Which apparently one must do for great bird shots like I see posted on these forums. Guess I better head out to the gym for some upper body work.

The 300mm F/4 is a great buy. It really works well with the 1.4 TC. I haven't shot with the 200-400 but all the folks I know who have it love it. Here's one in action

Originally Posted by bfjr

Not to threadjack... but you don't see shots like that everyday! Thanks for sharing.

jamie

Wow...brilliant execution. Great colors and capture. Very impressive! bfjr nailed it!

Wow!! Amazing

I must admit that the one lens that I would love to have would be the 200-400 F4 VR from Nikon. That is one sweet lens...

Lee

Fixed focal length lenses may have better IQ, but you can't beat the versatility of a zoom. These were taken with a Bigma:

bird @ 313mm



rhino @ 363mm



zebra foal @ 266mm (cropped to remove the adult butts)



Landscape @ 50mm



(see, none taken at maximum zoom )

Great stuff Al! You bring up a good point. The type of lens you use should be based on your needs, not what others prefer or say is better. I'm not saying others opinions are bad, but they should be used to help you make an educated decision, not just follow others opinions blindly. I have noticed that the zooms are a real popluar lens for Africa. A lot of photographers I have seen online have used the 100-400 while on photo safaris in Africa. Those are some beautiful shots BTW.

What lenses for wildlife?
I use the one thats on the camera. Sometimes you just have to crop a little more.

Mostly I now use the Canon 400 f5.6.







Before that, the Canon 70-300is (non do)





and before that, the Sigma 80-400os









They all work. With some, you need to do a bit more in post.

Showoff

This is about the best I can get with the as is