70-200 F2.8 or 100-400?

[russellsnr]

Hi, 200-600mm I use it in hide on a Tripod/Gimbal and walking around but lately as now reaching 70 I find it does get heavy, I have the 70-200 F4 but sometime that is not enough reach and does not work with the 1.4 extender so was looking at the 70-200 GM but then need the TC so really gain not a lot in weight loss except in my bank A/C plus would then need the 1.4 extender and loose light,
So my question is although F5.6 against F2.8 is the 100-400 a better option?
The Pros I can see is (1) slightly cheaper (2) slightly more distance against 200 with the 1.4 (3) Internal Zoom (4) Not a great difference in weight.
Cons -2 Stops less light.
Thanks
Russ.

 

[Geo C]

It depends what your main subjects are! Given the 200-600 is f5.6 to f6.3 and you are used to this I would image the 100-400 at f5.6 would be fine. I have all 3, the 100-400 is phenomenally sharp at 400 wide open and very good with TC's. I've only just bought the 70-200 so haven't had time to compare it using the 2x TC yet. Reviews seem to say the 100 - 400 is better than the 70-200 with TC. I'd go 100-400.

 

[spudhead]

quick answer 100-400 really sharp, add tc to any lens and it has an impact on image quality.

 

[russellsnr]

Thankyou for the replies, most images I take are small birds either from my hide or walking around.
Russ.

 

[iamdlewis]

I don't think anyone has truly regrated buying the 100-400GM. The short minimal focusing distance, the general focal range and the sharpness makes it a killer lens.

 

[iain clyne]

I'm another one that would say 100-400.

 

[spudhead]

Thankyou for the replies, most images I take are small birds either from my hide or walking around.
Russ.

Russ I only got the 100-400 in October last year for a trip but this lens is super sharp only used a few times but happy with it

• ILCE-9
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 5000

• ILCE-9
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/10
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 1000

 

[Landshark99]

for what you are looking for the 100-400 would probably be best, I have all three and for me to be honest for what I shoot the 70-200 without the tc is the best for me.

 

[Clix Pix]

I have the 200-600mm and the 100-400mm and the one I use the most is the 100-400mm. It rapidly became one of my favorite lenses as it is so versatile and I can carry and handhold it wherever I want to go to explore photo opportunities. The 200-600mm is an excellent lens, too, but it is too heavy and unwieldy for me, a petite woman, to try to tote around anywhere, and it is best used on the tripod. I now have my eye on the new 70-200mm GM II, but haven't made that purchase yet. The 200-600mm and 100-400mm both work quite nicely with a Sony 1.4x TC, too, and I find that very useful from time to time. I've never bothered even thinking about putting a 2X TC on either of them, as there would be just too much light loss. I can see, though, how a TC, either 1.4x or 2X, could be very, very useful on the new 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II.

If and when I do buy the 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II, I probably would do the same as Landshark 99 and not bother putting any TC on it, since the longer range is already covered by my other lenses.