Advise Needed: 100-400 II or 7D Mark III, wildlife

[bsharp321]

I'm currently shooting wildlife with a Canon 6D + 70-200mm II with a 1.4 III.  Not much reach with this combination so I've considered purchasing the 100-400mm II to use with the 6D.  Instead, should I hold out and wait for the 7d III and use the aformentioned lens combination?  This combination would give me (200*1.4*1.6) 448mm at F4.  Obviously, the combo of the 7D III with the 100-400 II would be ideal but its a cost thing.

Thanks in advance,

Tim

[ScottyP]

---

@bsharp321 wrote:

I'm currently shooting wildlife with a Canon 6D + 70-200mm II with a 1.4 III.  Not much reach with this combination so I've considered purchasing the 100-400mm II to use with the 6D.  Instead, should I hold out and wait for the 7d III and use the aformentioned lens combination?  This combination would give me (200*1.4*1.6) 448mm at F4.  Obviously, the combo of the 7D III with the 100-400 II would be ideal but its a cost thing.

Thanks in advance,

Tim

---

7d2, not 7d3 right?

[bsharp321]

Actually, thinking about holding out for the 7D Mark III, not 7D II.

[RobertTheFat]

---

bsharp321 wrote:

Actually, thinking about holding out for the 7D Mark III, not 7D II.

---

What new features and enhanced capabilities will the Mark III have? (Don't worry about any non-disclosure agreements you may have signed; we won't rat you out.)

[Waddizzle]

---

@bsharp321 wrote:

Actually, thinking about holding out for the 7D Mark III, not 7D II.

---

The EF 100-400 Mark II is a very good lens. I would not wait for a 7D Mark III. Although, it seems reasonable to expect an upgrade within a year to 18 months.  Can you afford to wait that long?

When you use the 100-400 by itself, you will have a great combo with the 6D or the 7D2.  When you use it with the 1.4x III, then you will AF points, because the working aperture range changes.  With the 7D2, you will be reduced to just one AF point, the center AF point, which is the only f/8 AF point.  The 6D has no f/8 AF points, so using the 1.4x III with the 6D means you will completely lose autofocus.

You're stuck between a rock and a hard place, in a way.  So, forget about using the extender with either camera body with certain lenses, and your problems go away.  The 80D and the 6D2 each offer 27 f/8 AF points, making them quite useful when using an extender.  

If reach is what you want, then consider the 150-600mm lenses from Tamron and Sigma.  I would only go for versions that allow the user to upgrade the firmware, without having to send the lens to the factory.  This means the Sigma "C", the Sigma "S", or the Tamron "G2".

[Bryston3bsst]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

the 7d III and use the aformentioned lens combination?  This combination would give me (200*1.4*1.6) 448mm at F4. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Using a full frame lens on a crop body camera does not increase focal length. Instead, it decreases the field of view. The 100-400 will still be a 100-400.

I am quite sure you will hear otherwise, but if you do a bit of research you will gain a better understanding of the effect crop bodies have on the field of view. Here is a pretty good article that may help you to understand.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/understanding-crop-factor

I shoot wildlife and sports action with a 6D and the 100-400 II and I think I get some pretty good results. I would suggest you try that combination first before buying another body.

Here are a couple of recent shots of mine.

[ebiggs1]

I would opt for the 7D Mk II right now.  Never wait.  Too many missed opportunities to wait.  The 7d2 is an all around better camera than either of the 6D offerings.  Especially if you are truly a wildlife photographer.  Out in the boonies the 7D2 is the choice.  If not and you are a casual wildlife shooter almost any camera body will do.  Even an 80D which I also would buy over either 6D.

It is true the physical FL of a lens can not change once the lens element is made.  However, the equivalent FL does depending one what body you use it on.  If you go Rebel series and get a 1.6x factor or Medium format and get a .7 factor.  The equivalency of the lens changes.  It is a good idea to use AOV as the determining factor when choosing lenses. 

The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens is a good lens. Possibly a great lens.  But I consider it too short for wildlife unless you can get close.  I sold my 1st version and 2nd version in favor of the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens.  The big Siggy wil get you an equivalent 960mm of FL.  That should be enough for anybody.  Canon is supposed to come out with their own Canon EF 200-600mm f/4.5-5.6 IS USM Lens in early 2018.  About time!  I will have one!

[ebiggs1]

BTW, I also think the 7D Mk III is supposed to come out with the Canon EF 200-600mm f/4.5-5.6 IS USM Lens.  

[RobertTheFat]

---

@ebiggs1 wrote:

BTW, I also think the 7D Mk III is supposed to come out with the Canon EF 200-600mm f/4.5-5.6 IS USM Lens.  

---

And where did you get that prediction, Ernie? (Same rules: If you signed a non-disclosure agreement, we won't rat you out.)

[ebiggs1]

A little birdie told me.  That's my story and I am going to stick with it.

Canon got the patent for the 200-600mil in 2016.