messenger879

Any C-hing knows whether this is a good lens for Birding..or should I consider
Canon 400mm f4 DO lens ?

wcaptain

Someone said the quality of 400mm DO lens needs to be improved.

handrew

I have the 400mm DO lens and it is excellent. There have been people who seem to have had rogue lenses but I have never experienced problems.

brendank

I use this lens and I think it's great. It's light and easy to carry and even easy to handhold (though of course a tripod is best). Probably most serious photographers would be better served with a 400mm or 500mm lens but it's perfect for people like me who are more a birder than a photographer.

kmatthew

Yes, I find the 400 DO very manageable for walking, its light enough to be hand held, and the optical quality is good enough to compare with other prime lens. If you're looking for an all round lens I think it is good, though if you want optimum optical quality, the 500mm f/4 should be a better choice.

akhan

400DO:I agree with what was said by kmatthew (I never used this lens personally);

500 F/4 IS: Better optic quality than 400 DO and more range but price would be high (I used this lens in the past for over 2 years)

600 F/4 IS: If you can manage the weight then no regrets; optical quality + Reach both no match  but again price would be higher than 500 (I am using this lens for past 4 years)

But if you are really looking for a lens in 400 range and $$$ is no problem then my suggestion would be just consider new 400 F/2.8 IS Mark II, with 1.4 TC the optics are better then 500 F/4 and light weight also.

messenger879

Many thanks for all CHings valuable recommendations .. I was in Danum Valley, Sabah in January..with my 7D + 100-400mm , I found the zoom not sharp enough once reach 350mm up .. I am looking at the 400 DO for a reason becos I want to go back to Rainforest for birding. However, found the daily sudden rain really shock me if the Gears are too big and heavy
to carry inside the jungle .