300mm f4 L IS vs 70-200 f4 IS

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Archive 2008 · 300mm f4 L IS vs 70-200 f4 IS

choiboyogg
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p.1 #1 · 300mm f4 L IS vs 70-200 f4 IS

ok, so i asked about the 200mm 2.8 II vs the 70-200 f4 IS

at the same time, i was looking at the 300mm 2.8 IS but i just cant justify that lens (at least for the price), i dont think i would be using that focal length that much.

then i realized that there is a 300mm f/4 IS at a fraction of the cost. basically same as the 70-200 f4 IS

what are your thoughts on the two compared?

i have 0 experience with the 300 f4 IS

Oct 01, 2008 at 03:52 PM

trenchmonkey
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p.1 #2 · 300mm f4 L IS vs 70-200 f4 IS

Me again...

If you can live with f4 it's an excellent lens. Sharp wide open. Couple of samples on a 30D

Oct 01, 2008 at 03:58 PM

choiboyogg
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p.1 #3 · 300mm f4 L IS vs 70-200 f4 IS

TM, so what are your comparisons between the two

does your 300 get a lot of play?

Oct 01, 2008 at 04:02 PM

trenchmonkey
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p.1 #4 · 300mm f4 L IS vs 70-200 f4 IS

It did, was my first BIF lens...fast AF. Shoot mostly Nikon now but I used the 300 and 400 f5.6L a lot as they were
so easy to handhold in the field. It would complement the 70-200 f4L IS along with the 24-105 f4L IS. Heck of
a kit with a fast prime thrown in.

Oct 01, 2008 at 04:34 PM

choiboyogg
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p.1 #5 · 300mm f4 L IS vs 70-200 f4 IS

would you say that the 300mm f/4 IS is a better buy than a 200mm 2.8 II with a 1.4x?

Oct 01, 2008 at 04:36 PM

trenchmonkey
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p.1 #6 · 300mm f4 L IS vs 70-200 f4 IS

Yes...if only for IS, the great built in hood AND it comes with a tripod ring!

Oct 01, 2008 at 05:08 PM

BenV
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p.1 #7 · 300mm f4 L IS vs 70-200 f4 IS

hey trenchmonkey, I know its off topic, but im curious, how much money have you spend on camera gear since you've started photography? lol

Oct 01, 2008 at 05:41 PM

trenchmonkey
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p.1 #8 · 300mm f4 L IS vs 70-200 f4 IS

BenV wrote:
hey trenchmonkey, I know its off topic, but im curious, how much money have you spend on camera gear since you've started photography? lol
If I had to guess $40K in 40 years...pretty cheap hobby methinks as I could sell what I'm holding
for over $20,000.

'monkeyglass IS my savings account.

Oct 01, 2008 at 05:54 PM

twistedlim
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p.1 #9 · 300mm f4 L IS vs 70-200 f4 IS

trenchmonkey wrote:
BenV wrote:
hey trenchmonkey, I know its off topic, but im curious, how much money have you spend on camera gear since you've started photography? lol
If I had to guess $40K in 40 years...pretty cheap hobby methinks as I could sell what I'm holding
for over $20,000.

'monkeyglass IS my savings account.

I would sell the investment glass and get yourself some bundled mortgages. I have a good feeling about them

Oct 01, 2008 at 06:02 PM

trenchmonkey
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p.1 #10 · 300mm f4 L IS vs 70-200 f4 IS

yeah, right! Why pick on the 'monkey?...I'm a lightweight compared to many here.
Method to my madness...I buy, try, and eventually let fly. Hands on always beats reviews
and pictures of brick walls/focus charts. Learn a hell of a lot more in the process. Now that
I'm fluent in Canon, I'm taking on Nikon to further my education. Can't put a price on it,
well maybe some shipping and fees. I buy used and let someone else take the "showroom
floor" depreciation. Apologies, OP...this is so far OT, but "they" started it!

Oct 01, 2008 at 06:30 PM

matsu131
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p.1 #11 · 300mm f4 L IS vs 70-200 f4 IS

trenchmonkey wrote:

Couldn't have said it better, although my investment is quite a bit less. Buy, try, and let fly.
Sure is a lot of fun.

My native tongue has been Nikon and now I'm giving Canon a try.

Oct 01, 2008 at 11:54 PM

therock
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p.1 #12 · 300mm f4 L IS vs 70-200 f4 IS

The 300 is my favorite lens. My most expensive is the 70-200 2.8 IS.

Below was shot wide open.

2012 © therock

Canon EOS 40D 300 mm f/4.0 1/500 sec 200 ISO +0.7 EV

Oct 02, 2008 at 12:55 AM

therock
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p.1 #13 · 300mm f4 L IS vs 70-200 f4 IS

Don't pick on the monkey. We went to separate schools together.

Oct 02, 2008 at 12:57 AM

speedblade2
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p.1 #14 · 300mm f4 L IS vs 70-200 f4 IS

A shot from the lens with a kenko 1.4 TC.
I love the short minimum focus distance.

Oct 02, 2008 at 04:50 AM

Beethoven
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p.1 #15 · 300mm f4 L IS vs 70-200 f4 IS

trenchmonkey wrote:
It did, was my first BIF lens...fast AF. Shoot mostly Nikon now but I used the 300 and 400 f5.6L a lot as they were
so easy to handhold in the field. It would complement the 70-200 f4L IS along with the 24-105 f4L IS. Heck of
a kit with a fast prime thrown in.

Sorry to pick on you again

, but I was just wondering if the 300/4 or the 400/5.6 gets more use for birding and other wildlife. Any particular preference towards either lens?

Oct 02, 2008 at 05:19 AM

trenchmonkey
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p.1 #16 · 300mm f4 L IS vs 70-200 f4 IS

beethoven wrote: Sorry to pick on you again

, but I was just wondering if the 300/4 or the 400/5.6 gets more use for birding and other wildlife. Any particular preference towards either lens?
No problem, Tay.

Oct 02, 2008 at 10:56 AM

gasrocks
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p.1 #17 · 300mm f4 L IS vs 70-200 f4 IS

The 70-200/4 IS lens is so sharp that it does not lose much quality with a 1.4x. I had a 300/4 IS and sold it when I got my 300/2.8 IS which I also sold later. I have used the 70-200/4 IS with 2 1.4x TCs and gotten good results. For BIF I use my 500/4 unless they get really close and/or I want to travel light, then I use the 400/5.6.

Oct 02, 2008 at 01:27 PM

Jman13
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p.1 #18 · 300mm f4 L IS vs 70-200 f4 IS

The 70-200 f/4 IS with 1.4x is a good cheap way to get IS near 300mm. However, if you can swing it, the 300 f/4 will give you a full stop of aperture and a bit nicer bokeh (the 1.4x deteriorates the bokeh). Still, if you are strapped for cash, it's plenty sharp with the TC, and AF is still pretty quick (though not as fast as without, or as fast as the 300 or 400 primes would be.)

Here's one with mine + 1.4x tracking BIF. Trust me, on the full version, they are quite sharp and dead on in focus. I only had a second to acquire them, wait till the crossed the sun, and shoot.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Oct 02, 2008 at 01:50 PM

Beethoven
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p.1 #19 · 300mm f4 L IS vs 70-200 f4 IS

trenchmonkey wrote:
beethoven wrote: Sorry to pick on you again

, but I was just wondering if the 300/4 or the 400/5.6 gets more use for birding and other wildlife. Any particular preference towards either lens?
No problem, Tay.

For BIF it seems you're never long enough so I'd say the 400 got the call 80% of the time. The
higher ISO capabilities with the newer body's lets you bump it up to maintain fast shutterspeeds during golden light shooting.
Both lenses offer excellent IQ and fast AF so it comes down to how close you can get. Looking back at my days with
the 100-400, I found I was at 400 most of the time and replaced it with the prime. HTH...Will

Thanks Will! Seems like I'll have to get a new bag if I get the 400/5.6 though. A little OT, but how do you carry it around for wildlife trips? Backpack? Lens case attached to a shoulder bag?

Oct 02, 2008 at 07:14 PM

Dneufarth
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p.1 #20 · 300mm f4 L IS vs 70-200 f4 IS

I'm not sure exactly what you are asking, but here goes. Almost everyone agrees that you have to have a 70-200 in your bag, and the f4 IS is a killer good lens (all four 70-200 lenses are killer good, for that matter). But I find it does not do well with a TC, nor even a protective filter. Otherwise it is a scary good lens for the money. By the way, if you have even a halfway decent ballhead, or if you don't use a tripod, then you do not need the tripod collar, especially for $150. If you insist on having one, though, I will sell you mine. And, finally, this is the only lens I have that I use the IS with, you can shoot at 1/15 second with this lens using good technique.

I can only speak for the non-IS 300 f4. It also is a stellar lens that can be used for far more than most people think. It loves a 1.4 TC, and it has never disappointed me in any way.

If you think you can only have one of these lenses because of $$$, then buy both 70-200 f4 non-IS and 300 f4 non-IS used. Then later down the road you can upgrade without losing any of the money you invest now, and you will have two killer lenses.

Finally, I strongly believe that NOT having IS makes one a better photographer in the long run. Think I'll get beat up for that one?

Good Luck!

Derek

Oct 02, 2008 at 07:51 PM

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