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I took the 200-400 on a bird watching (spring warbler) trip. Thoughts, and 400 5.6 comparison too.

Started May 30, 2017 | User reviews thread
BirdShooter7 Veteran Member • Posts: 9,134
My thoughts

Thanks for sharing your experience.  Lots there to think about.  I too have spent a lot of time photographing migrant songbirds at various migrant traps like High Island, Magee Marsh, Cape May...  My experience with the 200-400 IS is more limited but I have used it on several occasions for this type of shooting so I will share my thoughts with the understanding that what I have to say is far from the last word.

I agree that the weight is considerable and is something to be concerned about.  It definitely is hand-holdable and once you get used to it carrying it around all day isn't really a big deal.  However if I was choosing a lens for this type of photography I would pick the 100-400 mk2 over both the 200-400 and the 400mm f/5.6L.  It is not much bigger and heavier than the 400mm f/5.6L and offers similar image quality and AF speed, extremely good IS, closer MFD and zoom if you get really close which sometimes happens.  I find the smaller, lighter lens much easier to use than the relatively cumbersome 200-400 which in my experience offers similar image quality and AF speed to the 100-400 II.  The migrant traps don't usually demand maximum focal length like a lot of other types of bird photography so I don't see the built in TC to be a big advantage here.

From reading what you wrote it sounds like something might have been wrong with some part of your rig.  Maybe the individual body and lens just didn't play well together.  I obviously couldn't say but it sounds like your experience was pretty different from mine.

I don't want to sound like I am not impressed with the 200-400 f4L IS USM.  I am actually extremely impressed with it, I just don't think this is the ideal application for it.

Greg

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Some of my bird photos can be viewed here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gregsbirds/

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