100-400 IS, 70-200 f4 IS or 70-300 IS DO ?

[colonel]

I would like a really high quality long zoom lens for intimate outdoor portraits and 'long scenery & architecture shots'


I only have the money to buy one of the above and would like something not enormous or massively heavy - But a little heavy is ok.

Can anyone comment on the relative picture quality of the above ?

I know the DO is probably the worst quality but it is compact and is it actually that bad or quite good with the right PP ?
Does the 100-400 maintain its quality over the 200-400 range (the advantage to the 70-200) ?

Would appreciate comments from those who have used 2 or 3 of these lenses ...

[Mr. Pickles]

From what you described you would be shooting, i would go with the 70-200 f/4 IS. The 70-200 in any of its 4 versions is one of the best lenses Canon makes and should really be in anybodies camera bag. The 100-400 is a very good lens too, but it seems a bit "long" for portrait work.

All this is my opinion.

[aam1234]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

The 100-400 is a very good lens too, but it seems a bit "long" for portrait work.

Also big & heavy, so that rules it out according to your criteria. Have the 70-200 f4 non-IS and it's an excellent lens.

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by aam1234

Also big & heavy, so that rules it out according to your criteria. Have the 70-200 f4 non-IS and it's an excellent lens.

...while big & heavy, it balances better on a xxD body than the 70-300DO, which I found VERY unbalanced (probably because it extends a huge bit when zooming ) in it's use...

...but 'opinions only', so €0.02 worth...

Kindest regards!

max@Home

[Max@Home]

Hi colonel!

Originally Posted by colonel

I would like a really high quality long zoom lens for intimate outdoor portraits and 'long scenery & architecture shots'

I only have the money to buy one of the above and would like something not enormous or massively heavy - But a little heavy is ok.

...IMO 'heavy' is not all that important, 'balanced' is way more important: the 28-300L IS is a beast regarding weight (3.7 lbs) but balances VERY nice on a 1D Mk3 or 40D w/grip attached...

Can anyone comment on the relative picture quality of the above ?

EF70-200F4L IS: A+++++

EF100-400F4.5-F5.6 L IS: A

EF70-300F4.5-F5.6DO IS: A-----

Or:

EF70-200F4L IS is one of Canon's better zoomlenses: VERY sharp over the entire range, from wide open to F22, and from 70mm to 200mm, and very good colour and contrast too. Has latest (4-stop) IS and is weather-sealed

EF100-400F4.5-F5.6 L IS: a very versatile lens due to it's huge range, popular for beginning bird-photographers, children's outdoor sport events, ZOO etc visits, etc...
A decent copy is sharp, but a tad softer (esp. at the longer end) than 70-200F4(IS) at comparable zoom positions. It has an older type (2-stop) IS and is not weather-sealed... Note: if you buy this lens, do it from a reputable dealer with a good return policy: some (even new) 100-400's are too soft at the long end, so need either calibration (Canon Services) or exchange-for-another...

EF70-300F4.5-F5.6DO IS: it's compactness is it's selling point, but also it's Achilles-heel: due to the way it is build, it feels very unbalanced on a camera, as there is a 'huge' portion of glass moving while zooming. It is not the sharpest lens, probably below the 70-200F4L IS and the 100-400, and the DO-character (dreamy bokeh wide open) adds to that, unless you like it... (*I* do not...). It has nice colour and contrast, 3-stop IS and is not weather-sealed...

I know the DO is probably the worst quality but it is compact and is it actually that bad or quite good with the right PP ?

IMO it is indeed the least quality lens of the 3, IQ-wise, it is softer and with the very special and specific 'DO'-touch (see above), and that can't be altered in PP, you cannot 'PhotoShop' the dreamy-ness out your images, and the dreamyness actually hinders the sharpening (by creating halos and artefacts...)...

Does the 100-400 maintain its quality over the 200-400 range (the advantage to the 70-200)

Yes, very much so.

Since these 3 lenses are very different, but could all 3 work for your application, you have to ask yourself some more questions: do you need the compactness of the 70-300DO ?? do you need the range of the 100-400 ?? if the answer to any of these questions is YES, you know you need THAT lens, if the answer to both questions is NO, then the 70-200F4L IS is probably your best choice.

Hope this helps some, a lot of typing, but only *my* €0.02 worth of an opinion...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

[golfer]

Colnoel; Of the lenses you suggested, the 70x200 is going to be the best lense fot the subjects you are talking about.
The 100x400 is not quite up to the 70x200 in overall sharpness. It is a very good lense, and most would not see the fifference, but when enlarging or where you want very fine detail, the 70x200 will be you better buy.
The only thing better would be a fixed lense.
God luck, hapy new year.

[richardpcrowe]

The 70-200mm f/4L IS lens is probably the best general purpose long lens manufactured by Canon! The 100-400mm IS lens is also a good lens but, is IMO more specialized than the 70-200mm f/4L IS and is also not quite as sharp as the 70-200mm f/4L IS. The 100-400mm IS lens should be considered for wildlife when you absolutely need longer than the 200mm end of the 70-200mm f/4L IS! The 70-300mm DO is (again IMO) not quite up to the IQ standards of the 70-200mm f/4L IS.

I switched from the 70-200mm f/4L (non-IS) lens to the IS version and I have not looked back. I use the IS lens 3-4x more often than I was ever able to use the non-IS version because of the increased ability to hand-hold the lens due to the wonderful IS.

I also occasionally use my 70-200mm f/4L IS lens along with the Canon 1.4x TC. This gives me a 320mm f/5.6 lens (512mm equivalent) with very good imagery and ability to autofocus.

The 70-200mm f/4L IS lens makes an excellent partner with the newer 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens. The focal range between 55mm and 70mm that is missing from this combination is not all that critical. The combination of the above two lenses will give you excellent imagery and almost instantaneous AF.

Although, this lens combination is not inexpensive... It is (IMO) one of the best two lens combinations available. The combimation works wonderfully with one body but is even handier when each lens has its own body. That way, you don't have to switch lenses in the field and incur the problems connected with lens switching: 1. missing a shot while switching, 2. dirty sensor due to switching and 3. physical damage to the lens (dropping, etc.) while switching.

[aam1234]

A question from me.

It seems people, including me, swear by the 70-200 (in any of its variation), but do people actually use that lens/range. I'm asking because I have the f4 non-IS and only used it like 5 times since I bought it, and it was the first lens I bought.

Just wondering.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by aam1234

A question from me.

It seems people, including me, swear by the 70-200 (in any of its variation), but do people actually use that lens/range. I'm asking because I have the f4 non-IS and only used it like 5 times since I bought it, and it was the first lens I bought.

Just wondering.

Outside of the studio, for candids and model shoots, it's the only one on my 40D.

I'm shooting a wedding next week, photojournalist style, and it will be used extensively during the relatively low light ceremony. If I had to keep just one lens, my 70-200/2.8L IS would be it.

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by aam1234

It seems people, including me, swear by the 70-200 (in any of its variation), but do people actually use that lens/range.

No, them White L's are wayyy too heavy and farrr too expensive to take pitchas with, but we use them as table legs instead with great success...



Max@Home

[aam1234]

"pitchas", ha ha. Good one

[Mr. Pickles]

Originally Posted by brian.austin

Outside of the studio, for candids and model shoots, it's the only one on my 40D.

I'm shooting a wedding next week, photojournalist style, and it will be used extensively during the relatively low light ceremony. If I had to keep just one lens, my 70-200/2.8L IS would be it.

When LatinBob and I shot weddings, I ONLY used a Canon 70-200 f/4 lens. I think that range is a great wedding lens. Good choice Mr. Austin....

[richardpcrowe]

Originally Posted by aam1234

A question from me.

It seems people, including me, swear by the 70-200 (in any of its variation), but do people actually use that lens/range. I'm asking because I have the f4 non-IS and only used it like 5 times since I bought it, and it was the first lens I bought.

Just wondering.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I use my 70-200mm f/4L IS lens 3-4x more often than I did my non-IS model of that lens.

Although both lenses provide excellent IQ and both lenses are built like a tank; my use of the non-IS model was restricted because unless I was shooting in bright conditions, I needed either a tripod or a monopod to achieve a satisfactory percentage of sharp images. This is because I needed a relatively fast shutter speed which the f/4 aperture might not allow. Although I did occasionally use these aids, I wanted a tele lens that I could carry with me and use hand-held.

Enter the IS model. This lens is about perfect! I carry it on its own body in a holster case at my side. I use a metal round screw-in lenshood and cover it with an OPTECH Hood Hat in lieu of a lens cap. I have a hand strap on this camera.

It is very easy and fast to pull out the camera/lens, rip off the Hood Hat and start shooting. I will use this lens in conjunction with either a 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens on another body or with two lenses (12-24mm f/4 Tokina and 24-70mm f/2.8L) each on their own body.

I will also use this lens occasionally when I am set up on a tripod with my 400mm f/5.6L lens. This will allow me the wider angle shot that I occasionally need. The lens also works fine with the Canon 1.4x TC giving me a 320mm f/5.6 lens.

[colonel]

Originally Posted by Max@Home

Hi colonel!



...IMO 'heavy' is not all that important, 'balanced' is way more important: the 28-300L IS is a beast regarding weight (3.7 lbs) but balances VERY nice on a 1D Mk3 or 40D w/grip attached...

EF70-200F4L IS: A+++++

EF100-400F4.5-F5.6 L IS: A

EF70-300F4.5-F5.6DO IS: A-----

Or:

EF70-200F4L IS is one of Canon's better zoomlenses: VERY sharp over the entire range, from wide open to F22, and from 70mm to 200mm, and very good colour and contrast too. Has latest (4-stop) IS and is weather-sealed

EF100-400F4.5-F5.6 L IS: a very versatile lens due to it's huge range, popular for beginning bird-photographers, children's outdoor sport events, ZOO etc visits, etc...
A decent copy is sharp, but a tad softer (esp. at the longer end) than 70-200F4(IS) at comparable zoom positions. It has an older type (2-stop) IS and is not weather-sealed... Note: if you buy this lens, do it from a reputable dealer with a good return policy: some (even new) 100-400's are too soft at the long end, so need either calibration (Canon Services) or exchange-for-another...

EF70-300F4.5-F5.6DO IS: it's compactness is it's selling point, but also it's Achilles-heel: due to the way it is build, it feels very unbalanced on a camera, as there is a 'huge' portion of glass moving while zooming. It is not the sharpest lens, probably below the 70-200F4L IS and the 100-400, and the DO-character (dreamy bokeh wide open) adds to that, unless you like it... (*I* do not...). It has nice colour and contrast, 3-stop IS and is not weather-sealed...

IMO it is indeed the least quality lens of the 3, IQ-wise, it is softer and with the very special and specific 'DO'-touch (see above), and that can't be altered in PP, you cannot 'PhotoShop' the dreamy-ness out your images, and the dreamyness actually hinders the sharpening (by creating halos and artefacts...)...

Yes, very much so.

Since these 3 lenses are very different, but could all 3 work for your application, you have to ask yourself some more questions: do you need the compactness of the 70-300DO ?? do you need the range of the 100-400 ?? if the answer to any of these questions is YES, you know you need THAT lens, if the answer to both questions is NO, then the 70-200F4L IS is probably your best choice.

Hope this helps some, a lot of typing, but only *my* €0.02 worth of an opinion...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

thats for the advice everyone. It looks like the 70-200 f4 IS is the one.
might loan a 100-400 for a bit to see as well

rgds