Should I? FE 100-400mm

[slanetx]

Current setup: A1, 200-600mm, 70-200mm, 24-70mm, 1.4 TC.
In August I will be taking a birding/photography tour in Columbia (mostly in the cloud forest). Normally I am primarily a bird/wildlife photographer in the US.

I have found a 100-400mm for sale at a reasonable price (I think).
My possible reasons for adding would be: weight and exposure.

Should I?

 

[GvilleRick]

That was what I chose to do. I love the 200-600 but it is heavy. I picked up a 100-400 GM used and it is much easier for me to lug around. It also works pretty well with the 1.4x TC.

 

[Unframed Dave]

No, I have the 200-600 and 100-400. The latter barely gets used. I'd only take it if I don't have luggage space for the 200-600. Then I'd spend all the time longing for the extra reach.

TCs are alright apart from the pain in the butt aspect that when you have it on, you won't want it on and vice versa.

You're welcome.

 

[iamdlewis]

So the 100-400 is a sharper and faster lens than the 200-600. I've done trips to both Costa Rica and Ecuador and in both cases I took both lens. I used the 200-600 the vast majority of the time. The 100-400 was used when we were at feeder stations, especially the hummingbird feeders. At some feeders I would have the A1 with the 200-600 and the A7Riv with the 100-400 (something about that combination of body and lens that I love).

I have owned the 100-400 longer than any other lens I have and it was the only lens over 300mm when I bought it. I probably would not own it if the 200-600 was available. I do like to use the 100-400 when I am doing walks around the home where I might also want to do something close to macro as well as having some reach.

I also wouldn't own the 1.4xTC if the 200-600 was available when I got the 100-400. I do not remember the last time I used the 1.4x.

 

[Slug]

Good choice, I use it all the time with a A6400 crop body and a 1.4 converter on the A1. Much lighter than lugging the 200-600.

 

[spudhead]

I have both the 200-600 sees more use although the 100-400 is sharp, I just don`t drag it out much unless the light is bad

 

[Clix Pix]

When I initially purchased the 200-600mm in the winter of 2020 I didn't quite realize that while it is great on the tripod and OK to handhold for brief periods on my deck, perfect for shooting the geese and hooded mergansers on our small lake, that for me it is not a good walk-around lens. In the spring of that year I then purchased the 100-400mm and the two lenses complement one another very nicely. The 200-600 pretty much lives on the A1 and the 100-400 hops on-and-off the A7R V.

If I were taking a photography tour with a lot of walking expected, I definitely would take the 100-400 and leave the 200-600mm at home. The 100-400mm works fine with a 1.4x TC if you need/want to expand your range and reach.

 

[slanetx]

Thanks everyone!
I am purchasing the 100-400mm and will have the opportunity to use before the trip. I will probably take both and depending on our location for the day, which I will use. I have a second A1 but think 2 camera bodies + big lenses and accessories will be too much weight.

 

[TerryL]

I’ve been shooting with the 200-600 for the last 3weeks, and I’m tired or it. First I lug out my extremely stable tripod with fluid head. The go back in to get my camera with lens mounted. Day in and day out. It’s just not fun anymore. I’ve got the shots I want and had 16x20 prints made which turned out great too. Now I’m thinking about what kind of trade I Can make with B&H or Adorama.