300 2.8 VS 200-400 f/4

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SacrificeTheory

Senior Member
So once I purchase the 70-200 2.8G, I plan on getting a super telephoto lens. I like to take nature photography and since I plan on going to Africa in August 2015, I would love to bring one of these lenses along.

Question is, which do you think is worth the money more? They are both around the same price. Which gives you more bang for your buck and has the best quality.

If you have other options, I would be open to suggestions.
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
SacrificeTheory said:
You went to Africa? This has always been my dream vacation. Finally going to live it next year. I'm going to the Masai Mara in Kenya and also seeing the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda.
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SacrificeTheory said:
and I do like how the 300 can go 2.8, but I guess when it comes to wildlife, that doesn't really matter.
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Check out my thread here - http://nikonites.com/learning-photography/13619-africa-2013-a.html?highlight=africa+2013

Also the faster the glass the better off you would be, I would take the 70-200 2.8, 300 2.8 + 2 x TC and a wide angle. You will need a fast lens with the Gorillas as it can get dark in the mountains ;).

Also get some shower caps and put those over the lens instead of a lens cap, much easier and faster to rip off when needed.
 
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S

SacrificeTheory

Senior Member
Scott Murray said:
Check out my thread here - http://nikonites.com/learning-photography/13619-africa-2013-a.html?highlight=africa+2013

Also the faster the glass the better off you would be, I would take the 70-200 2.8, 300 2.8 + 2 x TC and a wide angle. You will need a fast lens with the Gorillas as it can get dark in the mountains ;).

Also get some shower caps and put those over the lens instead of a lens cap, much easier and faster to rip off when needed.
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Great photos! Sorry to hear about the D800. Were you worried about having your equipment stolen at all?

Also, who did you have as a travel agency?

Besides Rwanda, where else did you go?
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
SacrificeTheory said:
Great photos! Sorry to hear about the D800. Were you worried about having your equipment stolen at all?

Also, who did you have as a travel agency?

Besides Rwanda, where else did you go?
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Yeah I was always aware of stuff getting stolen, I went on an adventure tour 2 months camping from Rwanda to Cape Town it was with Geckos Adventure and Nomads. Was a great experience.
 
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SacrificeTheory

Senior Member
Scott Murray said:
Yeah I was always aware of stuff getting stolen, I went on an adventure tour 2 months camping from Rwanda to Cape Town it was with Geckos Adventure and Nomads. Was a great experience.
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Makes me want to sleep with a case that can lock or something. I know I'm sure people will try and take advantage being the tourist. Especially with $6-10,000 worth of equipment.
 
G

gqtuazon

Gear Head
From the people who have used both on safari tours, the 200-400mm f4 holds its own without a tc but no more than 1.4x tc whilst the 300mm f2.8 accommodates tc very well.

Since Scott has the first hand experience, I would go with his recommendation.

The new 80-400mm might be a lighter and cheaper alternate.

I would also suggest a Pelican case to protect your equipment. You can put a pad lock on it too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
gqtuazon said:
From the people who have used both on safari tours, the 200-400mm f4 holds its own without a tc but no more than 1.4x tc whilst the 300mm f2.8 accommodates tc very well.

Since Scott has the first hand experience, I would go with his recommendation.

The new 80-400mm might be a lighter and cheaper alternate.

I would also suggest a Pelican case to protect your equipment. You can put a pad lock on it too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Just ensure with the pelican case that it can fit in the trucks locker if you go via overland etc. As these are solid steel lockers and you supply a padlock. They accommodate a large backpack etc.
 
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Cowleystjames

Senior Member
gqtuazon said:
From the people who have used both on safari tours, the 200-400mm f4 holds its own without a tc but no more than 1.4x tc whilst the 300mm f2.8 accommodates tc very well.
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Don't agree re the Tc. I regularly use a Tc-1.7 II and quite often a TC-2.0 III with my 200-400 f4 vrII on both a D4s and D800e.
Don't have any problems with autofocus even in the dim morning light at 5.30am on the gallops.
 
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gqtuazon

Gear Head
Cowleystjames said:
Don't agree re the Tc. I regularly use a Tc-1.7 II and quite often a TC-2.0 III with my 200-400 f4 vrII on both a D4s and D800e.
Don't have any problems with autofocus even in the dim morning light at 5.30am on the gallops.
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You are probably correct since I am only basing my claim from other bird phothographers. Would you say that at 100% view, these 3 TCs retains the same IQ? Meaning feather details are still there without degradation regardless of which tc is used?
 
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Cowleystjames

Senior Member
A lot of my shooting is on the gallops using this lens, I'm taking burst shots of about 3-4 seconds of a racehorse in full gallop. The images ( about thirty to fourty) are then studied by the trainers looking at muscle tone. These then help them to diagnose any uneven gait.
So it's critical to me that the images are precise. Even the TC-2.0III on the 200-400 retains pin sharpness at what is effectively f8, it isn't very often that I use this teleconverters though as generally the TC1.7II brings enough zoom.
The 300 f2.8 is also used but it can be harder to grab the exact shots I'm looking for with a horse at full chat, I prefer the zoom capability of the 200-400. However, the 300 f2.8 with any TC is easier for my D800e to focus with than the 200-400 with the TC 2.0 III. I guess it struggles just a bit with f8 autofocus unlike the D4s.
 
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