I finally purchased a used 300/4 non-IS and am very impressed. This lens has it all over the 300/4 IS. The sharpness in the corners is much better and the lens has the snappy contrast that one wants from a prime tele. The 300/4 IS looks flat by comparison. I have not had a chance to compare the 300/4 non-IS directly to the 300/2.8 IS yet, but it seems to be in the same class.
On the 1Ds, or cropped? The 300/4 IS is fine in the center or for nature where the corners are not important. It's not so great for landscapes. I may end up keeping all three 300 mm lenses, who knows.
EB-1 wrote:
I finally purchased a used 300/4 non-IS and am very impressed. This lens has it all over the 300/4 IS. The sharpness in the corners is much better and the lens has the snappy contrast that one wants from a prime tele. The 300/4 IS looks flat by comparison. I have not had a chance to compare the 300/4 non-IS directly to the 300/2.8 IS yet, but it seems to be in the same class.
EB
yes is sharper than the "IS" and a tiny behind than 300/2.8 IS .....good buy man!