Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II - or - Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II

ShortestPath wrote:

You made a pretty good case in favor of the 2.8 aperture, how about the extra range of the 100-400? What would that bring to the table for you? Personally I find I rarely need more than 200mm for people, while the additional light helps a lot... As a matter of fact I am about to replace my 70-300 L with a 70-200 2.8 II for this very reason, although I will probably end up getting something longer for wildlife as well.

You are absolutely right, I also very rarely need more than 200mm for people. The 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II is for sure a great and fun lens to have but a lot speaks for first upgrading my Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS to the faster 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II.

I have tried to gather the facts so far:

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II over Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II

• + MTF50 at f/2.8 all focal lengths exceeds 40 lpmm. At f/4.0 45-47 lpmm Extremely sharp!
• + 70-99mm for portraits with beautiful creamy bokeh and less changing to 24-70f/2.8L II.
• + 1,5-2 step faster shutter speed for freezing aktion, chasing kids running and sports.
• + 1,5-2 stop = lower ISOs = Greater Dynamic range, less grain, better contrast, higher IQ.
• + 1,5-2 stop more light is essential in all low light situations in- and outdoors.
• + 1,5-2 stop more separation at all focal lengths.
• + f/2.8 = Camera AF works better and faster = A lot more keepers.
• + Contant f/2.8.
• + Constant size = better balance and less dust gets sucked in to the lens when zooming.
• + Smaller in use constant 88.8x199mm.
• + 80g less weight 1490g with tripod collar/foot.
• + Remove the collar/foot to save some more weight.
• + Fully removable tripod collar/foot.
• - No 200-400 focal lengths.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II

• + MTF50 at f/4.5-5.6 focal lengths range from 39-42 lpmm
• + 200-400mm double the focal lengths adds uses like planes, wildlife and birds.
• + Shorter MDF Minimum Focus Distance focuses down to 980mm (38.4") MM is 0.31x!
• - Missing 70-99mm Less convenient especially for people photo at shorter distances.
• - Some minor but visible CA at 100-135mm.
• - Weight 1570g.
• - 94x193mm about equally in size retracted, becomes a lot longer at 150-400mm.
• - Only the small tripod foot is removable, collar stays on.
• - Some users reports of tripod foot getting loose and even falling off. Bad design?

Do you all agree on the above and have I missed something important?