Canon 70-200 f4 L vs Canon 70-300 f4-5.6 IS

OnLooker

I am currently looking into 2 Canon Len's. I mainly use my camera for sports. Any opinions or sample photos from people who have either would be greatly appeciated.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/397663-USA/Canon_0345B002_70_300mm_f_4_5_6_EF_IS.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/183198-USA/Canon_2578A002_70_200mm_f_4_0L_USM_Autofocus.html

The 70-200 is meant be very good build quality & a very fast autofocus.

The 70-300 has IS which would be added bouns but not sure if I need it cos I will be doing my shooting from a sitting position & in day light.

What do you reckon about the extra 100mm? Also picture quality on the 70-300 when fully extended?

I am learning about all the features as I go along. The will be my first proper investment in digital camera equipment.

bovril

I don't have either lense but there may be groups on flickr that people post pictures taken with those lenses. This may give you sample images.

Borderfox

70-200 f4 is meant to be the sharpest zoom available. Brian has had both of these so he should be able to tell you the ups and downs.

SteadyEddie

I have a 70-200 f/4.0 and I cannot be happier. Its relatively light, takes incredibly sharp images, fast auto focus. It really is a terrific lens. I tried it at a badly lit gig to test it in lowish light and still found the results good. This would be great for sports & you could consider getting the 1.4 extender - taking you to around 300.

I have only had the lens a couple of months but below are some photos taken with it. Below are a few sets I have taken with the lens & that might give you a better idea.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eddiemackle/sets/72157600896607460/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eddiemackle/sets/72157600616756512/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eddiemackle/sets/72157600421148798/

Valentia

From what I've read the 70-200 f4 is one of the sharpest lenses on the market.

Damned Thing

Have the 70-200L f2.8L IS and couldn't be happier with it. It's fast, quiet and spot on focusing, tend to use it mostly at 2.8. The IS means I can shoot handheld at 1/60 which is a nice option to have.

Samples:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/damnedthing/456984304/in/set-72157600176035770/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/damnedthing/452265845/in/set-72157600176149324/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/damnedthing/456916436/in/set-72157600176052576/

B0rG

seriously doubt you'd need IS for sports...
(is - image stabilization, additional lenz group to remove hand tremor and lens shaking on longer exposures).
shooting sports with exposures 1/1000 you will not need it.
300mm however is a good thing for sports, but the apperture is slow.
So it's a trade off like everything in life...

So if you're serious into this 70-200 2.8 is usm L would be good for ye if not, go for 70-200 2.8 with no is

georgey

I had the 70-300 and it was soft soft soft...... I changed it for the 70-200 2.8IS and there is a huge difference, the F4 is said to be even sharper that the 2.8 so that must be really great, the Is may not be a huge help for sports as this lens (70-300) only has one IS mode and that is for vertical compensation of movement and with sports you more often need horizontal compensation as you are panning more of the time so dont let the IS feature on the 70-300 sway you allways go for IQ!!!!
Philip

311

Hello ,I've had the 70-200 F4 and now have the 70-300 IS.
The 70-200 is better built ,better glass ,faster and sharper.

The 70-300 is a tidy enough lens in comparison ,considering the extra reach. But it's not a lens you can just raise up and shoot with instantly ,I'm happy with the 70-300 though. It's definetly more of a casual lens as opposed to a professional one.

Hope that makes sense

viking

I got the 70-200 f4 last week (my first 'L') and as has been said its dead sharp. A great piece of glass...

waldo

I have both lenses, (70-200 f4 IS L and 75-300 F5.6 IS older), and can definitely recommend the 70-200f4 L, if you want it for sports. You will need the extra brightness to stop action (something IS will do nothing for). For more general purpose photography consider the 70-300 IS lens. You will find the IS very handy in everyday situations.

Ideally get the 70-200 F4 IS L - 500 euro extra. You wont need the extra reach, unless you want to photograph wildlife. The L lenses are much nicer to work with.

Borderfox

70-200 f4L IS has weather sealing also plus 4 stops stabilization

Fionn

i own a EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM and it produces very very sharp images, if you get this for just sports in good light you wont regret it.
It's too slow for indoor action or less than good light. the only other thing to consider as someone pointed out is if it's sports - weather sealing might be a concern, the f/4.0 IS version is weather sealed but then if your concerned with the weather you'd need a weather resistant camera to go along with it.

I'm getting the EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens mainly because i find i'm taking more protrait/people/events shots so i want a faster lens and the weather sealing and tripod sensing is a bonus too.

whyulittle

Are all L lenses not weather proofed?

Roen

B0rG wrote:

seriously doubt you'd need IS for sports...
(is - image stabilization, additional lenz group to remove hand tremor and lens shaking on longer exposures).
shooting sports with exposures 1/1000 you will not need it.
300mm however is a good thing for sports, but the apperture is slow.
So it's a trade off like everything in life...

So if you're serious into this 70-200 2.8 is usm L would be good for ye if not, go for 70-200 2.8 with no is

The B0rgster is back!

*Edit* And if you're shooting sports ƒ4 is just not fast enough, and doesn't give as much background blur in tight area. Go for a ƒ2.8 or lower if you can.

Borderfox

whyulittle wrote:

Are all L lenses not weather proofed?

Not all of them eg 70-200 f2.8IS is but the f2.8 non IS is not same with the f4 only the IS is weather sealed.

OnLooker

Roen wrote:

And if you're shooting sports ƒ4 is just not fast enough, and doesn't give as much background blur in tight area. Go for a ƒ2.8 or lower if you can.

Is the "f4" not fast enough? I will be only shooting outdoor sports during the day.

soccerc

OnLooker wrote:

Is the "f4" not fast enough? I will be only shooting outdoor sports during the day.

300mm f4's are very capable for sports during the day, when the light is good. I've found on ocassions that even a cloudy day effects quality as you slow down the shutter. Normally use 1/600 minimum but have found if you go below that you begin to get soft images.

OnLooker

Thanks for all the replies. Think I am going to go with the 70-200mm.

Any idea what kind of filter(s) I should buy. Not sure about them. Have never them bought before.

viking

A 67mm cheap-as-chips UV filter simply to protect the front glass of your new lens would be a good start.

bovril

while UV filters are cheap I wouldn't put a cheap UV on L glass. Go for a pro UV one, will be a little more expensive. Your filter needs to match the glass or you're losing out.

OnLooker

Is the kit worth getting with the 400D or am I better off getting a nifty 50?

Borderfox

I got a 70-200 f2.8 IS L for keaphoto in Hong Kong for €1400, ordered it on Thursday night and got it on Monday afternoon.

OnLooker

I am definitely going to get the Canon 400D & 70-200 f4 L.

Is the kit worth getting with the 400D or am I better off getting a nifty 50?

Paulw

The kit lens is fine, especially for learning.

But most here would say that the 50mm prime is better (which it probably is).

Borderfox

I have three kits lens at home and I threw one in the bin, If yur around dublin I will give you one. Get the nifty

bovril

Borderfox wrote:

I got a 70-200 f2.8 IS L for keaphoto in Hong Kong for €1400, ordered it on Thursday night and got it on Monday afternoon.

Copy cat!

Borderfox

I know bovril, my sigma is in for repairs at the mo so brought forward the replacement schedule. Super service and just as well as I have two shows at the weekend

bovril

Borderfox wrote:

Super service

i know, it's actually too easy. The CC company are gonna love me since I've found the ways of Albert.

Haven't played with my lens too much will get the chance next week on my hols!

Borderfox

I left the DHL office and went around the back of the airport to have a go. I think I will weld it on to my 30d for good. I still have some more stuff to buy too