which zoom lens should I get? what about IS?

[asm]

I have a 300D. I have a 70/200mm lens but I would like something more powerful. Choice is 75/300mm or 100/400mm in each case with or without image stabilisation. Are there advantages in having IS for general usage rather than just for low light? Would IS be able to cope with any camera wobble at 400mm? Would IS be able to compensate for taking photos from vehicle where complte control of camera is not always achievable (e.g. when we are on safari and have to react very quickly to opportunities)?

Advice would be welcome.

[Andy_T]

Adrian,

welcome to the forum!

Which 70-200 lens do you have?

If you are talking about the 70-200/4.0L or any of the 70-200/2.8L lenses, I seriously doubt that you would be happy with the image quality and performance of the 70-300.

The 100-400/4.5-5.6L IS is something totally different.

Best regards,
Andy

[FlipsidE]

Are you going to be shooting action or stills. I actually posted topics about both the lenses you have in question not too long ago at all. If you are shooting stills, then the 75-300 probably would work for you. For action shots, though, I've read that the 75-300 is actually just not a good lens. The 100-400L is a very good lens, so I've heard.

Though, your issue may be easier to solve than you think. I've heard VERY good things about using the 1.4x TC with the 70-200 lens. Supposedly it provides INCREDIBLE results. the 1.4x TC would turn the 70-200 lens into a 98-280 lens giving you an extra 80mm. It'd, of course, lower your maximum aperture by one stop, but that might not be a big deal depending on which 70-200 lens you have and whether or not you are taking action shots or still.

FlipsidE

[Longwatcher]

The key to IS is; are you shooting above 1/250th to capture the action? If so IS is pretty much useless.

Are you only using a tripod, IS is not much help (except for panning shots)

Are you hand holding the camera at speeds between 1/15 and 1/125 then IS will make a huge difference.

I have both the 75-300 IS and the 100-400L IS. The 100-400L wins hands down, but the 75-300 IS has taken some of the sharpest shots I have ever taken and it is much lighter and easier to travel with.

I recommend the 100-400 if you can afford it for two main reasons. It is a better lens and you can use a Canon extender with it. So you can add a 2x or 1.4x for extra range if needed (or both if a bright sunny day with low thermals - don't tell Canon I said you could do this)

The suggestion to use extenders instead is an excellent one to save money if you only need a bit more range.

As to IS at 400mm hand held; it will help (a lot), but I still recommend a tripod in that case. IS will help taking pictures from a vehicle up to a point. It is designed primarily to mitigate hand shake not car shake, but it will help on moderately smooth roads. Rough safari tracks it probably won't help much. The only lens that could make a difference is the 70-200/2.8L IS which has way better IS then any other lens I have used.

Just my experience and opinion,

[Andy_T]

Another thought ...

if you have the 70-200/4.0 L now, you could just use the 1.4 Extender to get to 280 mm...

Best regards,
Andy

[ScottE]

Of the lenses you mention, the 100-400 IS has much better optics and it is not available without IS.

For safari take a bean bag and/or window pod and rely on that as much as possible. I have had good luck with a vehicle in which you can mount a window pod, but with some vehicles you must use a bean bag and shoot through the roof port. Don't go with a driver who won't turn off the motor while you are shooting.

If you have to shoot hand held with a telephoto and want usable shots your choice is IS or a high ISO. Modern digital cameras perform very well at high ISO so as long as there is reasonable light that is a reasonable option to keep shutter speed greater than focal length if you don't have IS. IS gains about 2 stops of shutter speed for hand holding, but so does bumping ISO by 2 places. For example, if you usually shoot at ISO 400, bumping to ISO 1,600 will give you 2 stops faster shutter speed.

IS is an advantage because there is less noise at lower ISO settings and sometimes you will be shooting in marginal light conditions at dawn or sunset when you need both IS and high ISO to get a decent hand held shot.

[Andy_T]

Adrian,

Another option you might want to look up is the Sigma 100-300/4.0 EX lens. It's supposed to have very good optics at an acceptable price (900$), only downside is its size and weight.

Best regards,
Andy

[JZaun]

The 100-400mm IS is fantastic. The link below goes to my bird pic's. All but 2 are hand held using IS, mostly at 400mm. Those 2 were on a tripod for a test.

http://www.bytegallery.com/showgallery.php/cat/3099

JZ

[FlipsidE]

The 100-400mm IS is fantastic. The link below goes to my bird pic's. All but 2 are hand held using IS, mostly at 400mm. Those 2 were on a tripod for a test.

http://www.bytegallery.com/showgallery.php/cat/3099

JZ

WOW!! Those are GREAT shots. Amazing detail. I think I'm convinced on the 100-400L.

FlipsidE

[wolf]

Amazing shots, very nice!

[lensmen]

That does it..... end of discussion for me on this lens....

I can feel the smooth & round body of the white lens barrel ,
with the envy of those near me blinking an eye of respect,
that I have the ultimate tool for the job.

Ouhhhh...... it is pure orgasim of the image kind....

Soon, she will be mine.... muahahahahaa/.....

The 100-400mm IS is fantastic. The link below goes to my bird pic's. All but 2 are hand held using IS, mostly at 400mm. Those 2 were on a tripod for a test.

http://www.bytegallery.com/showgallery.php/cat/3099

JZ

WOW!! Those are GREAT shots. Amazing detail. I think I'm convinced on the 100-400L.

FlipsidE

[asm]

I think the evidence is overwhelmimg. Thanks to all who have helped me by contributing views and experience. Next problem....how do I tell the wife?

[Andy_T]

Next problem....how do I tell the wife?

Well ... that's the part that's actually hard :roll:

So ... depending on which lens you want to buy ...

if you want the 70-200/4.0, then show her the 70-200/2.8 IS and tell you that it is the lens you'll buy.

After the initial shock, you settle for the 4.0 version, economy-minded family man that you are 8)

If you want the 100-400 IS, however ...
well, you might have some credibility problem to explain her why you need the 400/4.0 DO in order to prepare her for the cheaper lens :twisted:

Best regards,
Andy

[CyberDyneSystems]

If you want the 100-400 IS, however ...
...well, you might have some credibility problem to explain her why you need the 400/4.0 DO in order to prepare her for the cheaper lens :twisted:

Best regards,
Andy

Devious Andy.. I'll have to remember this trick... 8) :P

[MarkH]

The trick is to explain to your spouse why you need the 400 f2.8L IS, but that you realise it's just too expensive and therefore you are prepared to settle for the more reasonably priced 100-400, even though you will be limited by only having f5.6 :(