Which would you buy???

[Keyser Soze]

My girlfriend said she'd get me some camera gear for christmas.... Bless her she's in for a shock!!!

I'm torn between what to request:

I want L glass and don't know which to choose either the;

70-200mm F2.8L plus 1.4x

or the:

28-300mm F3.5L

has anybody on here owned the new 300mm and can they recomend it?

I'll be shooting gig's in low light and sport during the day and early evening so naturally I'm drawn towards the 200mm because I feel it would work better..... However I'm also keen on the focal range of the 300mm as I think it would save me changing lenses so much....

What do you guy's think????

[slin100]

Unquestionably, the 70-200/2.8L + 1.4x. It's one of the sharpest lenses Canon makes. The 28-300 is f/5.6 at 300mm. Even though it has IS and that's good for 2-3 stops, I'd still take the 70-200, which would give you an effective f/4 with the teleconverter. Super zooms like the 28-300 are always a design full of compromises.

[scottbergerphoto]

Unquestionably, the 70-200/2.8L + 1.4x. It's one of the sharpest lenses Canon makes. The 28-300 is f/5.6 at 300mm. Even though it has IS and that's good for 2-3 stops, I'd still take the 70-200, which would give you an effective f/4 with the teleconverter. Super zooms like the 28-300 are always a design full of compromises.
Exactly.
Scott

[Deckyon]

I have the 70-200 f/2.8 L IS, and the 1.4 and 2 tele extender IIs. I would not trade that lens for a 28-300. I shoot soccer games and a lot of low light stuff (mornings and evenings) and I have never gotten a bad shot that I can blame on the lens or camera. The 70-200 has always given excellent performance.

[CyberDyneSystems]

70-200mm plus 1.4X

...... in a HUGE way. :)

[sGu]

70-200mm 2.8 IS + 1.4x TC II

She's very generous for sure, you lucky git! :D

[Keyser Soze]

Well I think that was pretty unanimous......

So it looks like I'll be getting the 200mm then...


Thanks Guy's

[LarryB]

Considering the price of your "gift", you must have been a VERY good boy this year. :wink: 8) :D

[mdude85]

yea hhhh... I don't want to stray too much off topic here, but are you sure your girlfriend is interested in spending over $2000 on your christmas gift?

Maybe she meant something like a tripod or a circular polarizer?? :?

[Kenski]

yea hhhh... I don't want to stray too much off topic here, but are you sure your girlfriend is interested in spending over $2000 on your christmas gift?

Maybe she meant something like a tripod or a circular polarizer?? :?

hahahah

Must be nice... It took my WHOLE family to buy me my 70-200 2.8 IS... :) She must drive a Jaguar or a porsche or you just got a big, uhhhhhh, ummmm, nose... Yeah, thats it.... ;)

[pradeep1]

$2000? I thought the 70-200 F2.8L IS costs around $1500, shucks, there go my plans. :P

[IanD]

My vote is for the 70-200 f/2.8 and 1.4.No other decision necesary.

[CyberDyneSystems]

$2000? I thought the 70-200 F2.8L IS costs around $1500, shucks, there go my plans. :P

Keyser is in the UK... things cost a bit more there :(

I think the lens in question is about $1,600.00 @ B&H

[mdude85]

$2000? I thought the 70-200 F2.8L IS costs around $1500, shucks, there go my plans. :P

Keyser is in the UK... things cost a bit more there :(

I think the lens in question is about $1,600.00 @ B&H

$2000 at ritz camera -- not that you'd buy there, but just quoting an (american price)

$2000 ---- $1500 --- it's all the same: A LOT. Ask your GF what her spending point is...

[Tom W]

My last girlfriend thought it was a bit outlandish that I asked for the "nifty fifty" for Christmas. Tread gently, my friend, for whatever she spends on a lens, you will have to spend 10X that amount on a ring.

[Belmondo]

I have both, and think the 28-300 is not as sharp as I would like. I'd have to agree with everyone above......the 70-200 would be the better way to go.

[kanwingshing]

Since it's a gift why not go all the way....300 2.8 :lol:
Bet she would never promise to buy any camera gear for you anymore..
:wink:

But between the lens you've narrow down... I would put my vote to 70-200 F2.8 also...

[PacAce]

I don't know what makes the 70-200 f/2.8 L different from the IS version but you might want to reseach the 70-200 f/2.8 L regarding the use of the 1.4x TC with it. From what I've read and understand, the 70-200 f/2.8 with the 1.4x TC combo will only AF focus using the center focusing point. Use of the other focusing points with the 1.4xTC installed may cause focusing errors.

And it seems to only be this lens (the non-IS) version that behaves this way.

[chris.bailey]

70-200 2.8L IS is £1399 at most outlets in the UK ($2,500) and another £230 for the 1.4x. Quite a present. The 70-700 4.0 is £499

[Keyser Soze]

I must clarify..... we have no children and low over heads....

Also my birthday is a week before christmas, so the gift is technically a Christmas / Birthday in one!!

Also my beautiful girl friend brought me a Rolex last year, so I'm banking on the fact that when she offered camera equipment this year, that I'd be able to ask for anything up to the value of the watch!!?

Clearly I've not asked her, just wishfull thinking!?

Now if you look at it this way, watch was £2250 and the 200mm F2.8 plus the tele 1.4x at the worst estimate in the UK is: £1600

So if you look at it this way, she's actually saving money this year...

Oh and I'll be very very gratful :wink: :wink: :wink: :D

[commando]

Can I borrow your girlfriend? ;)

Perhaps give her a list, starting at a lowish value, leading up to what you want, rather than pushing for the expensive one? That's what i'd do anyway. Maybe put short comments beside them about how useful/fun they would be for you?

[danphoto1]

:lol: I own both and the 70-200 will work much better for what you want. Also the ssigma 120-300 works quite well on a monopod for basketball and hockey

[olladaa]

From a gals perspective, I'll tell you the comment about the ring was priceless! It made me lol. :-)

I vote for the 70-200is.

(Buy all of your toys and travel the world taking photos now, cuz if you ever do have kids, you'll be crying when you read a post like yours on this forum--)

-AO

[C.S.I.]

Off the beaten path......


Like the name soze.......... :lol: