Is the 70-200 f2.8 w/an extender (1.4) better than a prime 300?

Looking to upgrade zoom lens, and thinking through this combo:

70-200L IS f2.8 and for the soundboard set ups, using the 1.4 extender. My thinking is that w/the extender I'll get the reach, but will also be able to capture good wide shots as well.

Since I have no $ to get the 300, this also will help the budget.

Not nearly in the same universe as the 300 f2.8. F4 is generally very slow for concerts. The IQ will not be as good as the 300. However, if the extender is your budget, you will be able to get shots, especially if the lighting is white spots.

the extender is good to have, but it can't take the place of a 300 f/2.8. actually, i've used the 1.4TC on the 300 as well and that works pretty well.

unless you are shooting a lot of soundboard shots (and getting decent $ for them), or need that lens for sports shooting, i would just rent the 300 as needed.

narlus wrote in post #12077456
the extender is good to have, but it can't take the place of a 300 f/2.8. actually, i've used the 1.4TC on the 300 as well and that works pretty well.

unless you are shooting a lot of soundboard shots (and getting decent $ for them), or need that lens for sports shooting, i would just rent the 300 as needed.

ha! "decent $" is far from what I get...

It's just that laying out $60-70 hurts for one night. Try to get a weekend of two shows, but not doing that much to make it worth while.

I guess the follow up question is do you ever switch to a 70-200 from the soundboard for a wider shot?

There IS a 300L f/4, guys. I think the question was more geared toward that comparison than the 2.8, given that the 70-200 would also be at f/4 w/ 1.4TC attached.

Not having shot with the 300, of any flavor, I'd have to recommend checking out LensRentals or similar company and trying them both out.

If you have the light, the 70-200 f2.8 IS II provides a good enough bang for the buck with the 1.4. Still the 300 is better as well as having a full stop on the combo.

doreian wrote in post #12077668
ha! "decent $" is far from what I get...

It's just that laying out $60-70 hurts for one night. Try to get a weekend of two shows, but not doing that much to make it worth while.

I guess the follow up question is do you ever switch to a 70-200 from the soundboard for a wider shot?

Absolutely. Just fairly tight shots of a single performer can get stale fast.

doreian wrote in post #12077668
I guess the follow up question is do you ever switch to a 70-200 from the soundboard for a wider shot?

Depends on who you shoot for.
If you need one image for a paper / magazine: No.
If you shoot to cover the event: hell yeah.

https://photography-on-the.net …ghlight=Bruce+s​pringsteen

70-200L performs well with a 1.4TC

For large shows, it's too short though.

If you have a strong back, the Sigma 120-300/2.8 is a very nice option.
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=150405
http://www.fredmiranda​.com …=104&sort=7&cat​=37&page=1

René Damkot wrote in post #12102407
Depends on who you shoot for.
If you need one image for a paper / magazine: No.
If you shoot to cover the event: hell yeah.

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great Springsteen shots, always thankful to have actual images rather than "lens talk" as points of comparison.

good point on the the intended audience ($). Guess it's 70-200 time for me.

doreian wrote in post #12110476
great Springsteen shots, always thankful to have actual images rather than "lens talk" as points of comparison.

you want images?

here's a shot @ 70mm on a 5D, cropped horizontally:

Nice Springsteen shoots, gang. I may have one or two wider shots myself.

Anyway, I want to expand on what I was saying previously. The 70 -200mm f/2.8 IS II, believe it or not, smokes the first version of that lens in all aspects. Here is a long shot from the top of Madison Square Garden with a 7D at ISO 1600 70mm f/2.8 1/40 sec handheld to give you an idea what it can do without a TC.

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@narlus ha, you had to toss your own Springsteen into the mix. Really liked the Decemberists set, captured the foggy lighting so well
@skifurthur those long MSG shots show what I love with the wide view, gets a full sense of the lighting that we often miss from the pit

You all knew I had to come back with a Springsteen shot. This one was taken with the 70-200 II with a 1.4 TC back in January. I shot it from the balcony.

doreian wrote in post #12134564
@narlus ha, you had to toss your own Springsteen into the mix. Really liked the Decemberists set, captured the foggy lighting so well
@skifurthur those long MSG shots show what I love with the wide view, gets a full sense of the lighting that we often miss from the pit

I know this is an old thread but I am new on this site and am still learning my 7D and saving up for some kind of L glass. My shooting is mainly Drag Racing and concerts and seeing these awesome images confirms for me that I now officially want the 7-200 f2.8 II and will add a 1.4 TC to it or what about the 2x TC??

Sorry this was meant for skifurthur's photos....
Cheers,
Brian