For about 6 months now, I’ve wanted a long lens….one that will get me tack sharp images of birds and wildlife.
If i had $12K laying around as pocket change (or I was a professional photographer), I’d buy the Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Super Telephoto Lens
But alas…I don’t have the cash laying around for that one. Even if I did, I’d not use it enough to get the real use out of it.
So…what’s an amateur photographer who wants the longest reach he can get supposed to do? Write a blog post about his options I guess 
What are my options? Well…I’ve already determined that I want to stay in the Canon “L” Prime lens family. Tamron and Sigma make good stuff but I’ve tired them and gone back to Canon “L” lenses. I’m a poor enough photographer that the glass DOES make a difference
Options:
- Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Super Telephoto Lens
for $1199. This is a great lens that takes a teleconverter well…but I have a 100-400 f4/5.6 already. Still not a bad option.
- Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM Super Telephoto Lens
for $6800. GREAT lens but heavy and not really much more reach than I have…it takes a 2X teleconverter well though to get up to 800mm.
- Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM Super Telephoto Lens
for $5800. This is really the direction I’m leaning. a 500mm lens with 2x teleconverter gets me 1000mm
This is supposed to one of THE best lenses on the market. - Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS USM Super Telephoto Lens
for $7600. This lens is an amazing lens but I think is a bit too much length, weight and cost. Great lens though.
I’ve also been flirting with the idea of the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Lens
What to do? What to do?
Now…before you go thinking that I’ve got a ton of money laying around…I don’t. I’m saving up some cash to make my next purchase. Currently, I’m leaning toward the EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens mainly due to cost but my longer term plan is to pick up the EF 500mm f/4L IS USM Lens.
It will be either one of these lenses or another camera body (either the Canon EOS 5D Mark II
I just can’t make up my mind
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I have the 100-400 lens and was debating in the same boat as you; the 400,500 or 600. In the end i am going with the 500mm. The ease of mobility and cost being my two top requirements after the fact that I refuse to not get a L lens. So if you want my vote the 500 is the way to go. Getting the 400 does not make sence, you already have that with the 100-400, not prime I know but you need that extra reach. I already bought the 2x teleconverter and the gitzo tripod and whimberly head. Now to save save save.
My recent post Camera Gear – The 2x Tele-converter