Help. . .I am thinking about getting the 70-300 IS USM 4-5.6 for Canon. . . anyone have it/ love it/ hate it? Looking to take photos of Lax games ~ mostly daytime, but some late afternoon. Just wondering what limits the 4.0 is going to cause for me. And maybe some bird shots (if I can ever get them to say around long enough! :O! ) Also wondering what other people are using it for, want to make sure I would get enough use out of it.....any input welcome :) thanks!!!
Well, the problem is the f/4 is only at the short end of the focal range. When you're zoomed you're only going to get f/5.6, which is not doing to do you any favors if you're trying to stop action, even in daylight. You'll still be relying quite heavily on higher ISO to keep shutter speeds fast enough to freeze action.
It's still a fine lens, you just have to know its limitations and work around them to get the shots you want.
I have the same lens for Nikon and love it. HOWEVER, you need to use it with a lot of light. If there is no light, the high f numbers hurt you with lack of brokeh or the high ISO will give you grainy pictures. I have used it a lot and really love the reach of it, but I'm starting to see the limitations for a variable aperture lens.
If you are just starting out and you keep it in auto mode and auto focus I would say go for it. If you are more experienced and use manual and have more control over the settings, I would suggest getting the 70-200 2.8 lens (although it's very pricey$US2300). If you have the money, there is NO COMPARISON, because the 2.8 blows it out of the water in every aspect. But like I said, if you are a casual user or likes a powerful zoom and wants to get some nice closeups in midday sun......go for it. Some of my best pictures I have taken were with my 70-300 lens.....(that will soon change as I just 'invested' in a 24-70mm 2.8 & and 105 Macro). So pumped to start using those. Anyway, I hope I was able to offer you some advice. Let me know if I can help out with anything else.
@mattyb Yeah, I have the 70-200mm f/2.8L because I got sick of my slow zoom lenses. But you can actually get the non-IS versions of that lens for very cheap used. I bought mine used for about $900. Having IS is really a non-issue when the lens is so fast as it is you'll usually be able to keep the shutter speeds well within range of eliminating camera shake.
So when you think about it, going to the 70-200 is really only a few hundred more than buying a new 70-300. You could even spring for the f4 version of the 70-200 which buys you a whole additional stop and a professional lens for nearly the same price used as the slower 70-300.
@marubozo Great advice. I'm a Nikon guy so I didn't even realize that they were that close in price. Hands down.....get the 2.8 for the price difference. It will be the best thing you do. @rddaisy - Listen to Jeremy.
@marubozo Great information...time to start saving I guess. @rddaisy I use the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens kit lens I got wy hen I bought my camera for shooting the soccer photos I take. I shoot at high ISO and in manual mode so it works rather well most of the time. Additionally I have the auto focus switched to the one of the rear buttons so I can use that to zoom. It works really well for action shots ... tip from my newspaper's professional photog
@marubozo thank you for the feedback, I have a 100 mm f/2 for Hockey shots and I haven't wanted to take it off my camera since I got it, I was worried that I would not be happy with the 4-5.6. I have been drooling over the 2.8. . . but it just seems to unattainable price wise, I didn't think of trying to find it used. I will check that out. @mattyb thank you, I have to say my fear is that I will get it and soon find the limitations make me wish I waited (but then again lacrosse starts next week, and there is NO way I am going to find an extra $1K by then :) ) @terek55 that one is on my list as well. . . . since it is short $$ maybe I buy it to keep me happy for now and save up for the "big boy" next year. . . . . . UGH oh the decisions!!!!
Look into used. I bought a used 35mm and it has been fasntastic. You would never know it was used and I saved myself $$$. If you have the 100mm f2, you can use that for the Lax shots also. Tough decisions........look into the 2.8 70-200 used (you may save a few hundred) and try to get that one.
You will get it and wish you waited...lol. At least that's what I did. It served me well for a year, but now I want the 70-200 2.8 but I just spent a few thousand on lens so maybe next year. Either way, try to get the best you can afford. If not I would recommend waiting until you can have what you really want.
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It's still a fine lens, you just have to know its limitations and work around them to get the shots you want.
If you are just starting out and you keep it in auto mode and auto focus I would say go for it. If you are more experienced and use manual and have more control over the settings, I would suggest getting the 70-200 2.8 lens (although it's very pricey$US2300). If you have the money, there is NO COMPARISON, because the 2.8 blows it out of the water in every aspect. But like I said, if you are a casual user or likes a powerful zoom and wants to get some nice closeups in midday sun......go for it. Some of my best pictures I have taken were with my 70-300 lens.....(that will soon change as I just 'invested' in a 24-70mm 2.8 & and 105 Macro). So pumped to start using those. Anyway, I hope I was able to offer you some advice. Let me know if I can help out with anything else.
So when you think about it, going to the 70-200 is really only a few hundred more than buying a new 70-300. You could even spring for the f4 version of the 70-200 which buys you a whole additional stop and a professional lens for nearly the same price used as the slower 70-300.
@mattyb thank you, I have to say my fear is that I will get it and soon find the limitations make me wish I waited (but then again lacrosse starts next week, and there is NO way I am going to find an extra $1K by then :) )
@terek55 that one is on my list as well. . . . since it is short $$ maybe I buy it to keep me happy for now and save up for the "big boy" next year. . . . . . UGH oh the decisions!!!!
You will get it and wish you waited...lol. At least that's what I did. It served me well for a year, but now I want the 70-200 2.8 but I just spent a few thousand on lens so maybe next year. Either way, try to get the best you can afford. If not I would recommend waiting until you can have what you really want.