300f4 IS

[slau]

Hi,
I just picked up a demo 300f4 IS at a reasonable price (I think) today. It doesn't come with the manual. My question is: do I have to manually shut off the IS when I use the lens with a tripod or the IS will shut off automatically like the 70-200f2.8 IS? If anyone know where can I download a manual, it will be nice. TIA.

Stephen

[henkbos]

I guess it is the L-type?
There are 2 modes for IS:
1. - subject is still
- scene is dark
- use of flash not possible
2. for panning

Turn off IS when using a tripod!

Total manual is about 8 small pages. Can scan and fax if you want. PM me with email address.

[drandy]

slau wrote:
Hi,
I just picked up a demo 300f4 IS at a reasonable price (I think) today. It doesn't come with the manual. My question is: do I have to manually shut off the IS when I use the lens with a tripod or the IS will shut off automatically like the 70-200f2.8 IS? If anyone know where can I download a manual, it will be nice. TIA.

Stephen


Let us know what you think of the lens vs. the 100-400L lens. I have the Sigma 50-500 and recently evaluated the Canon 100-400L (slight improvement - nothing major except IS). The 300f4 is now in my sights possibly with a 1.4TC for more juice!

[slau]

slau wrote:
I think there are certain Sigma lens are as good as or better than Canon lens. I myself have 3 L lens (70-200, 28-70 & 17-40), 2 non-L (20f2.8 & 50F1.8 ) and one Sigma lens (50-500), plus the Canon 1.4X & Sigma 1.4X. Canon D60 is my first DSLR (graduated from Olympus 2500L & Minolta D7). I have been shooting Hasselblad for the last 15+ years, and image quality is crucial for me.

I did test the Sigma 50-500 against the Canon 300f4 & 100-400IS a few times before deciding on the Sigma. Optically, I believe that my Sigma is a touch sharper than the 100-400 @400mm. The 300f4 is the sharpest of the three and handled beautifully. If I don't want the 500mm reach, I would have pruchased the 300f4. Eventually I think I will purchase a 300f4, probably an used one at a good price.

I have been shooting with the Sigma for about 6-7 months now. It is the most used lens on my D60. It took me quite a few hundred shots before I felt comfortable with the lens. Mind you that I haven't shot such a long and heavy lens before. When I got everything together, the image is just wonderful and I couldn't have asked for more from this lens. I am still learning the long lenms technique and I shoot mostly at the 500mm end close to wide open.

Stephen


Hi drandy,
I have included my message in the previous thread regarding the lens you are interested, and it will probably answer most of your questions.

As I just picked up the 300f4 IS yesterday, I shot only a few shots to get a feel of the lens on my D60, and see how the IS works and how efficient the IS is. So far, the IS is quite impressive and hopefully I can use it with my Canon 1.4X to shoot birds in flight. I am not sure about if the 300f4 non-IS is sharper than the 300f4 IS, and I will never find out as I am not intending to compare the lens after I bought the IS model. I may post my impression of the 300f4 IS after I have a chance to know the lens. Good luck in your decision, but I don't think you can go wrond with any one of these lens and you are walking the same path that I have been on recently. :)