300mm F4 IS L ???????

[Hipgrncln]

Need to hear from those of you who have tried the 300mm F4 IS Canon lens. Likes and dislikes. Is there something else out there that I should be looking at??? Currently have a Rebel XT with a 135mm 1.2 lens. Just ordered a 17 -40 L and a 85 1.8. Need to start thinking BIG !!!!

Bob J

[cmM]

you could look at the older non is 300mm lens. Some think it's sharper... I don't own any, so I can't give you much advice. I have considered this lens when i was in the market for a longer lens, but i chose to go with the 100-400 L instead.

[schmoelzel]

I have the 300F4 non-IS (no longer made). I tried a 300F4 IS but there were two things that made me choose the older one........
1) Price!! Here in Canada the IS version is about $1600 CAD.......wanted the length but did not want to pay that price!!
2) Weight of the IS......normally I don't care about the weight of a lens but after trying the very light 300F4 Non-IS, I noticed the weight difference right away!! The non-IS is very easy to hand-hold and since I use it in good light anyway, I decided that the IS was something I didn't need.

I actually ordered an IS version first-time around, but there was a mistake made and I was shipped a non-IS version. Decided to keep it after shop offered me a very good price to keep it........it was only after I had this lens that I read about the non-IS being sharper.

If you can find a good deal on the non-IS, go for it!! It is a great lens and you'll get some terrific shots from it.........here's one of the first shots that I took with the lens and it sold me!! Love this lens!!!

http://theteahaus.netfirms.com/Canon/nfpicturepro/albums/userpics/10001/300F4-1D-J.jpg

[GyRob]

I have the 300is and its a super lens but sofens with the 1.4 imho. and the focus slows down 50% with the 1.4
on its own you cant get better without paying lots more.
Rob.

[GyRob]

btw i also have the 17/40 another great lens, and the 85 f1.8 one of the best. the cheap 50f1.8 is nice too.
my next lens is the 400 f5.6 L when it gets here
Rob.

[wiselion]

Need to hear from those of you who have tried the 300mm F4 IS Canon lens. Likes and dislikes. Is there something else out there that I should be looking at??? Currently have a Rebel XT with a 135mm 1.2 lens. Just ordered a 17 -40 L and a 85 1.8. Need to start thinking BIG !!!!

Bob J

Bob:
I went thru this dilema long and hard between the 100-400 and 300IS. So I went with the 100-400. I kept it for 3 days and returned it for the 300IS. Now, the 100-400 is an awesome lense and very versitile. I tested it out and it was sharp. There is no doubt about that. But I do wildlife shots mostly (deer) and the F5.6 apeture at full zoom hindered me under low light situations. I just needed more apeture. So I got the 300. It is slightly sharper, but not much. However the f4.0 helps me out quite a bit in those low light situations. I also bought the 1.4 converter with it, and it is still as sharp at 672mm as it is at 480mm on my 20D. I went over this issue with Scottes many times before I bought. All his posts on the 100-400 are all awesome. I would have never returned it if the long end was F4.0. All that being said, apeture plays a huge part in a lens, at least for me. My next lens, coming soon, will be the 70-200 2.8 non IS. I really dont't think the IS is all that important to me. When the light gets that low I drop the shutter speed way down and use a tripod. Nothing will ever take the place of a tripod including IS. IS does however come in handy don't get me wrong, but for me the extra cost, is unwarranted. HAVE TRIPOD WIll TRAVEL. I guess you really have to know what you are mostly going to use the lens for. If it's for all bright light, shooting the 100-400 is awesome. If you need that extra stop (which will come in handy believe me) go with the 300. This is a very debated topic let me tell you.

[transcend]

I have the 300 f/4 IS. I have absolutely no complaints about it. I would say it is about as sharp as you can get. (see link).

I have used this in miserable light, and it still works great, even when shooting shots of people on bikes going 50km/h +.

I say go for it - the IS is great, and the lens is fantastic.

http://www.transcendmagazine.com/fraser/gallery/cycling/CRW_1703_small?full=1

[eosnob]

I use my 300 f/4L IS as a portrait lens at red-carpet events. Haven't compared with non-IS version, but IS certainly helps me get a steady shot when amongst manic crowds bumping against me. Easily handholdable, and I'm no heavyweight :p

[pfuller88]

I have the same lens setup, the 17-40 L and the 85 1.8. I needed something longer. I just ordered the 200 2.8. With a TC 1.4 it will give me all the distance I need for sports events.

[Croasdail]

Its a great lens - have borrowed one a couple of times. I have it's big brother, but have found the smaller lens good for slinging around. Also look at ...

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_300_4is/index.htm

he does some pretty indepth reviews.

Cheers

[pturton]

Dislikes: None

The close focus ability of this lens makes it one of my favourites. It is very versatile, fast AF, yields crisp images, good bokeh and light to carry. Great for semi macro, candids and outdoor sports.

I have both the 400 f/5.6 and 300 f/4 IS and each has its own benifits and are equal in sharpness, contrast and colour IMO. The 300 + 1.4x TC still focuses rapidly and gives very acceptable pictures.

Recently I used the 300 + BetterBeamer in a gymnasium to isolate individual children's faces at my church's Vacation Bible School and am very pleased with the performance of this combination.

There are a few examples using the 300 with/out TC on my site. http://www.iaw.com/~pturton/

Paul


100% crop of extracted JPG L:
10D, 300mm f/4 L IS + 1.4x Mk II, 1/320, f/5.6, ISO 800, HH, Subject distance <2M.
Left side - straight from camera : Right side - light pass through NeatImage
http://www.iaw.com/~pturton/dpr/420_ISO800.jpg

http://www.iaw.com/~pturton/april/STD/10d7_crw_4890.jpg

[Simon Harrison]

I have this lens, and it is an absolute cracker. Here's a shot with the 1.4 TC :-http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/17-07-05---640.jpg

I don't find any noticable slowdown in AF or loss in quality when used with the 1.4 TC.

Cheers,

Simon.

[xuxu1]

Need to hear from those of you who have tried the 300mm F4 IS Canon lens. Likes and dislikes. Is there something else out there that I should be looking at??? Currently have a Rebel XT with a 135mm 1.2 lens. Just ordered a 17 -40 L and a 85 1.8. Need to start thinking BIG !!!!

Bob J
Depends what you intend to shoot. I sure it´s a wonderful lens, but could be, even with a 1.4x TC, a tad to short for birding.

ED