Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens or other options?

Sandyld7 wrote:

I am looking for input from those of you shooting sports and/or wildlife. I am at the ALMOST point of ordering the 100-400 II to use on my full frame camera (Canon 5D Mark III) for sports and wildlife. I have rented it a couple of times over the past 2 years to use in the national parks for wildlife and really liked it. I need more reach than my 70-200 f/2.8L II has. I have been shooting youth sports for the past couple of years as well, and would love that extra reach. I do worry about night lights in a stadium (faced that with a playoff game) but the 400mm and up with f/2.8 is NOT in my budget. So, here are a couple of other choices I have been considering as well. I am hoping those of you with more more experience and knowledge can offer your input.

1. What about using the 1.4 extender on the 70-200? That would give me almost 300, but not sure if that will enough, but what a huge price difference!

2. Another option suggested to me is the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM. That has more reach, but I think that I will need the extra light on the Canon 100-400 more, and more often?

3.I know I am going to look like an idiot for asking this, but I am going to anyway. Can the extra reach help lessen the need for larger apertures when shooting action shots? For example, if I am having to zoom at 200 mm on my 70-200 and it is needing f/2.8 to get a shot that I then crop in to, will it lessen the demand any if the lens is taking me "there" where the subject is at 400mm?

4. Any other suggestions to consider?

Really appreciate any advice you care to give!

Sandy

I have the 5D3 and 100-400Mk2 and the combo is fantastic

The only problem you will encounter ( in time) is the relatively low fps of 5D3

70-200ISMK2+TC1.4 (I have them) doesn’t beat the 100-400MK2

I have also Sigma 150-600S and while has more reach doesn’t focus as fast as the Canon

the TC1.4 will slow the combo and degrade the image

I hope it helps