EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II vs EF 300mm f/4L IS + Ext. 1.4x III

BondTrader wrote:

I'm sort of in the same predicament myself. I'm going to view a Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM which is less than 2 years old and available for $850 locally. Then I start thinking about adding a 1.4 extender to that. The new version of the 100-400mm sets me back about $2K. The 3rd option is a version 1 of the 100-400mm of which there seem to be plenty available in excellent condition and fairly new ( 3 or 4 years) at around $800. I am thoroughly confused now and if any thoughts on those options would love to hear.

IMHO if you can afford the 100-400 II version then go for that, but it is so much money! If you get the 300mm f/4L at some point you will most likely feel the need for the 1.4 extender. But the 300 might be all you need for your purposes and it does give really nice images even though the the new 100-400 may technically surpass it. I'm guessing the price of the 100-400 will decrease a little, maybe in a year's time, so you may have saved more money in that time and could sell the 300 if you feel it's a bit impractical not having the flexibilty of the zoom (hopefully Canon won't bring out a new 300mm in the mean time...).

Originally i wanted the first version of the 100-400 but didn't like the push-pull zoom and it was a bit dated and slightly more expensive, but not much more at the time. I'm happy with the 300 f/4 though, it's just if i'm going to lug a big lens around with me i'd like it to be as flexible as possible. But yeah 2 Grand is a lot of cash. When i got my 300mm it was £1000 and it was hard to justify, but managable at the time - if it were a £2000 lens I just wouldn't be able to do it without it being my job, i just don't have the disposable income. The real kicker was the 1.4x III as now it's about £200 cheaper than when i got it as it was relatively new. Thinking about it now the cash i spend on these two items is very close to the cost of a new 100-400... :-/

At least i can use the 1.4 extender on the 100-400 if i have the money to get one.

Sorry if i've just confused you more, it's never an easy decision! Is there a specific purpose you hope to use the tele lens for? What body will you attach the lens to?