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.

Having used a 100-400 L IS for over 9 years now, I always enjoyed the extra reach it provides compared to my 70-200 f/2.8 L IS Mark II. However the color, sharpness, IS was the result of technology now almost twenty years ago. But it did its job. Whether on a 40D, 7D or my 5D Mark III's. Enjoying one afternoon at a Bike race here in the area, I was able to use a friends 100-400 L IS Mark II. The improvements were confirmed. Add it to the wish list.

When in the area I am able to shoot for my old college football team. May times I add my 1.4 EX-III to my 70-200 f/2.8 L IS Mark II. Love the added reach, but does tend to hunt for AF at times. Especially in the second half of the season in the second half of each game. As the field runs North to South and sits in a valley, the shadows creep to 50% of the field.

Well St. NIck just happened to deliver a brand new 100-400 L IS Mark II under the tree. He is one smart guy. Knowing the Canon AF accuracy and speed through all of my L's leads to consistency through out. And I don't have to Zoom the other way like other third party lenses for Canon. Simple little things like in Football or photography lead to threading the needle or missing AF.

If the money is there, follow your heart.

Now if it would warm up here a bit, I can get out and workout the new "Big White".