Canon 70-300 DO IS for Sports

[wolverine99]

Is this a viable sports lens (outdoor in the daylight, football soccer)? The reviews are less than stellar but I would love to have something more compact than my 100-400L. I'm not a pro, just a dad and a sports fan looking to take some good pics without standing out too much. Plus it seems like I could sneak it into the Ohio State Michigan game this weekend. I don't think I can get my 20d 100-400L set up through the front gates without a press pass.

[CyberDyneSystems]

It'll focus fast enough,. and if the light is enough for the 100-400mm,. then it will be for the 70-300mm (same 5.6 max aperture at the long end)

The pics just won't be as nice IMHO.

[hef]

I took some shots of my sons baseball game this summer and the results where unbelievable.... Check this pic out. No editing. 20d camera, TV 250 AV 7.1 90mm ISO 100. Actually the auto focus point was not even on. It was before the thrower about 2 feet, my lack of knowledge on the 20d. It's still a good shot. --hef--

[J Rabin]

Is this a viable sports lens (outdoor in the daylight, football soccer)?

I own this lens and the 70-200 f/2.8L IS. I like this lens, for intended purpose as a superior travel zoom.

I can tell you from sports experience with it, the 70-300 DO IS has stellar focus speed with best rear element USM and best 3-f/stop IS. In good daylight, it works fine.

OK, that's the good part. The bad part, if you've ever used a constant aperture L lens, is that the 70-300 DO IS barrel length creeps when tilted. Also, you need to learn PhonyShop edge sharpening technique, or buy software that automates it, because, as per Michael Reichman at Luminous-Landscape.com, 70-300 DO IS images benefit from and demand edge sharpening.

Now the bad part. The 70-300 DO IS has strange out of focus areas when the OOF area has lots of fine detail. The OOF areas "crack-up" and get ugly. Check out my 70-300 DO IS user experience, because I have a soccer pic and a bicycle racing pic. Step through the captioned examples at: http://aesop.rutgers.edu/~rabin/70_300_DO/index.htm

At sporting events, we don't get to choose our backgrounds. We get chain link fences, brick work, etc.

I've taken some fabulous images with this lens, and contrary to non-owners, IS DOES assist image Q when shooting sports at action stopping shutter speeds, but it's NOT a replacement for an L IS lens, if you're permitted to carry one at events.

Jack

[wolverine99]

Thanks a million for the posts. Looks like a good performer for what it was meant to be.

I was hoping that someone could talk me out of it but alas I'm off to the store tomorrow for another "investment." I'll miss the 100-400L quality but I surely won't miss lugging it around or having everyone gawk at me every time I pull it out.

[Dante King]

I loved mine and found that it was tack sharp even at the edges. Gonna have to get one again soon someday.

[Tom W]

It focuses fast and the IS on it is great. On the other hand, like most f/5.6 lenses, it may not have a shallow-enough DOF to isolate the primary subject against a blurred background. A lot depends on your shooting situation. I shot this with the 70-300DO & Rebel XT at around 150 mm:

http://www.pbase.com/photosbytom/image/52400090.jpg

It makes a nice, small package for when you want a long lens but aren't willing to tote along a big white.

[grego]

Better off with the 70-200 2.8's by either Sigma or Canon.