Who Chose the 300 f4 over the 100-400 for Birding and Why?

ahaslett wrote:

sdw1 wrote:

Phocal wrote:

sdw1 wrote:

This nags at me HRC2016 - in a good way - as I actually mostly liked the 75-300 II - and wonder if it was the right move to get on with just the 40-150 and MC... ...but then, I want more reach, speed, and weather sealing... ...but the money is a hurdle...

Doc

If you shot an EM1 I would recommend the 50-200 SWD with both EC-14 and EC-20. For someone on a budget that is one of the best values in any system. With the EC-14 you have 280mm and the EC-20 can take you to 400mm and the IQ goes from amazing to good (depending on TC used). You could get a 50-200, MMF-3, EC-14, and EC-20 for about the price of the Panny 100-400.

Thanks for the advice Phocal.

I'm aware of that combination but need to get more familiar with it - and will look into it.

Doc

I have an EM1 and the 50-200SWD. It's a great combo but adding the EC20 is a step too far. Really emergency use only. At 300mm my Canon 300mm outperforms it easily.

Andrew

Why do you say adding the EC-20 is a step to far?  It works perfectly well, but is only really useful if you are going to use at 400mm (at 400mm it is only 1/2 stop slower then the Panny 100-400).  I used the Canon 300mm for many years and there is little difference in IQ from the 50-200 w/ EC-20 (the 50-200 is probably a bit better).  With the EC-14 you get 280mm (which is close to 300mm) and the 50-200 is easily better then the Canon.

I can't get Flickr photos to link so here is a link to my Flickr album with sample photos from the 50-200 w/ EC-20.  The frog and gator photos are from a day I spent using it with the EC-20, which resulted in this thread.  Scroll down to the end where my sample shots from the zoo are and look at the detail captured in the flamingos feathers.