Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM vs Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L? Your advice please

[SonjaT]

Hi,

As a newbie to dlsr photography, i would seek the opinions of forum members.

i do not have a particular style that i am after, just seeking to purchase a longer zoom lens (i have a 15 - 85mm).

i have spent countless hours reading reviews etc and am just getting more agitated, vaccilating between one then the other.

Your comments would be appreciates.

Thanks.

Regards, Sonja

[ZedEx]

70-200 f4: constant apeture, better build quality, sharper lens
70-300 f4-5.6 IS: greater focal length, image stabiliser

They are the pros each one possesses over one another. Only YOU can decide what best suits your needs. I have the 70-200 f2.8L and i'm really happy with it, but your requirements might not necessitate the extra build quality and sharper optics of L glass. For your average punter, the 70-300 is probably the better option (IS, more compact, greater reach etc)

[SonjaT]

Thanks ZedEx.

You hit the nail on the head with your comment about "the average punter". As a newbie it is very easy to get caught up in the information and lose sight of the fact that with limited funds, i am indeed the "average punter" with no ambition to sell images or turn pro. However, that said, we all still want the best for our lens $ :-) Also, i suppose that should i wish to upgrade in the future or have greater aspirations i can always sell the 70 - 300mm and get a reasonable return to put against the upgrade.

Regards, Sonja

[unistudent1962]

About 6 months ago I upgraded from a non-IS 75-300 to a 70-200 f4L IS.
This has been without a doubt the best decision I have made. The IQ is incredible, AF is superfast and accurate, and the IQ allows me to get shots of static subjects I would never have captured without it.

The only thing I miss is the extra reach I got with the 300.

To add another one into the mix, the 70-300 f4L IS has just been released as well.

[in2fx]

It really depends on what you want to photograph as there are so many lenses out there to suit different applications.

The 70-300 f4-5.6 L IS is a very expensive lens, so you would want to be very sure that is what you need.
I found this interesting lens review (http://dancarrphotography.com/blog/2010/11/17/canon-70-300-f4-5-6-l-is-review-vs-70-200-f4-l-is/) on the new 70-300 L

[in2fx]

To add another one into the mix, the 70-300 f4L IS has just been released as well.

I would love to see one of those, but I am sure it would be heaps bigger, heavier and more expensive than what they have made with the variable aperture 70-300mm L f/4-5.6 IS

[Captured frame]

For the price the 70-300 f4-5.6 is a good lens I owned for a while and it prformed very well ,was a handy walk around lens for general use ,nice size and weight,changed to 70-200 f2.8L is beccause of need for a faster lens.

[sonofcoco]

Had the same selection dilemma this time last year. Ended up going for the 70-200 f4 L, it's a fantastic lens!

[blissful]

One more to add to the mix - a Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD, recently released in Canon mount.

Most reviews put this lens in the "very nice to have" category, it won the EISA zoom lens of the year (for what that may be worth) and the price is pretty good.
I purchased one from B&H for $512 US delivered and it should be here next week.

One (minor) problem - they can be hard to find because of a very big demand.

[SonjaT]

Blissful, have researched the Tamron and it is getting some very good reviews and for the price is a great buy. Probably good enough for my amateur requirements.

Time to decide whilst the exchange rate is still so high!!!!

[blissful]

Sonja, my Tamron arrived today and first impressions were very good. I'll take some pics tomorrow and post some examples.

[SonjaT]

Sonja, my Tamron arrived today and first impressions were very good. I'll take some pics tomorrow and post some examples.

Guess what, i brought the Tamron yesterday here in the city (Melbourne CBD) for $550. Used it last night and am happy so far.

Thank you so much for the tip, much appreciated.

Regards, Sonja