Question for Canon 70mm-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM owners

[motox424]

Does anyone currently have the latest version of this lens, and if so, what do you think of it, PRO's and CON's if any. I still am unsure as to what lens to get, the above mentioned or the 70mm-200mm F4L non IS. I have read reviews elswhere on the net, but would like some input of fellow Camels, who actually own and use the lens now. Pics from both would be great if ya have any.

Thanks--
Scott

[swampler]

I have the 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS and the 70-200 f/2.8L. The 70-300 is great. I've always been happy with the images and the extra reach of the 300 over the 200 is nice. I did notice while using it in Washington last weekend that it was slow focusing in dark areas as compared to the 70-200, but the 70-200 f/2.8 uses the cross sensor for faster focusing on the 30D. The 70-300 also will not take a teleconverter and keep AF because it pushes the max aperture over the f/5.6 limit to f/8 at the long end. If you need fast AF and superior sharpness, go for the 70-200. If you need the extra reach and don't need super fast AF, then the 70-300 may be your lens.

Have to go now, but will try to post some shots later.

[swampler]

OK, here's some photos. Most of my 70-200 shots are sports, so I tried to find a couple that weren't sports shots for comparison. Unfortunately, I don't have any zoo shots with the 70-200.

The first four are from the 70-300 IS.








70-200 f/2.8L for the last two:

[motox424]

Thanks Steve. You made up my mind for me now, and I'm going with the 70-300mm IS

I just wanted to see some examples of images from both, and they look very similar, clarity and etc...

After reading ALL the different reviews and now seeing your images, I know that the 70-300 will suite my needs well.

Karma headed your way!

Thanks
Scott

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by motox424

I just wanted to see some examples of images from both...

..please note Steve shoots the F2.8IS, not the F4L 70-200 variant ...

After reading ALL the different reviews and now seeing your images, I know that the 70-300 will suite my needs well.

that I would think too, it's a pretty piece of glass, worth it's $$$

...€0.02...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

[swampler]

Originally Posted by Max@Home

..please note Steve shoots the F2.8IS, not the F4L 70-200 variant ...

Actually, it's the f/2.8 non-IS. But it is not the f/4 as stated.

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by swampler

Actually, it's the f/2.8 non-IS.

Oooooopssss.....



Max@Home

[Mechoption]

The 70-300 IS USM is a sweet lens, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I've had plenty of use out of mine. Here's a little chipmonk caught with it a while back.

One draw back is that it isn't compatible with the Canon extenders (I'm not sure about third party extenders)

[motox424]

Well the new lens(70-300mm) showed up at the house today!! Going to get some pics tomorrow with it, to get some settings dialed in for this weekend at the races. Will post up pics of the races


Thanks again for the replys and the pics for examples.

Scott

[lowbone]

I put the cheap Tamron 1,4 on mine as an experiment. It still had AF and focused fairly fast in good light and th IQ loss was surprisingly small.

[Flash2Bang]

Scott,
I have this lens and I find the results are very good indeed. The combine harvester was taken yesterday and passed through Photomatix (Single raw with no tweaks).

[Rodeoshooter]

It would depend on what you are doing with it. My first question would be are you going to shoot at F4 or are you one of those people who shoot everything at F8? If you are one of the latter then go buy yourself a cheap $100 lens and don't worry about it.

Remember you are looking at buying a TOOL. Don't buy a carpenter's 16 oz hammer if you are just going to set some brads and pull some nails. Get the tool you need for the job you are going to be doing. I see lots of FOOLS buy a 70-200 F2.8 L lens and then shoot everything at F8. Idiots in my mind. They don't know what or when to use the tool so they just want to look good with the lens.

[swampler]

Originally Posted by Rodeoshooter

I see lots of FOOLS buy a 70-200 F2.8 L lens and then shoot everything at F8. Idiots in my mind. They don't know what or when to use the tool so they just want to look good with the lens.

What's the point of buying a lens if you don't look good with it? LOL!

[Rodeoshooter]

True! Damn I don't know what I was thinking when I made that statement.

Originally Posted by swampler

What's the point of buying a lens if you don't look good with it? LOL!