EF 70-300 f/4-5.4 IS USM to EF 70-200 f/4 Non-IS USM - Advice please :)

Currently using the Canon ES 70-300mm f/4-5.4 IS USM for sports photography, amateur rugby games, so the 300mm is really handy for shooting across the width of a pitch.

Thinking of upgrading to the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=142739

Does anyone have any experience using both? Would I really miss the IS of my current lens, considering you have to shoot action at faster than 1/500 anyway. I don't really shoot low light with a telephoto to be honest.

Also, budget wise, the 70-200 f/4 is the limit sadly, I'd love the f/2.8 IS MkII, so if anyone knows next weeks lottery numbers.......

Advice needed please. Haven't made the jump yet to an L series, but eager to do so.

Some of my work with the 70-300 is here.... obviously want to keep this up with the f/4 L ... http://www.flickr.com …8/sets/72157629​926213697/

Just a quick question... why? What exactly is limiting you currently?

Is it the ability to shoot at f4 at longer focal lengths, the speed of the AF? etc.

AF Speed definitely. Even though the 70-300 has a USM I find it very sluggish (driving the barrel out and in to focus) compared to my EF-S 17-55 f/2.8, that thing focuses at lightspeed! Is this what I can expect from an L series?

Also the 70-300 has a tendency to focus out to infinity and then track back in if it cannot get a lock straight away, very annoying when trying to shoot fast paced action.

chrismarriott66 wrote in post #14970805
Just a quick question... why? What exactly is limiting you currently?

Is it the ability to shoot at f4 at longer focal lengths, the speed of the AF? etc.

I don't know if you've seen it or not, but this review makes for a good read as it compares the 75-300 IS USM against its competitors, which includes the 70-200 f4 non-IS!

http://www.the-digital-picture.com …6-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Yes thanks, always respect the reviews on that site, well written and consistent across all equipment.

I could read comparisons and reviews till I'm blue in the face, what I'm after is some good honest advice from people far more experienced (and battle scarred) that myself.

chrismarriott66 wrote in post #14970834
I don't know if you've seen it or not, but this review makes for a good read as it compares the 75-300 IS USM against its competitors, which includes the 70-200 f4 non-IS!

http://www.the-digital-picture.com …6-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

The big advantage of the f4L is, of course, the focusing speed, which makes a huge difference for sports. But you're going to miss the reach, and that, too, makes a difference. It's going to be a question of deciding which of the two - focusing speed or reach - is the most important to you.

I used to own the 70-300 non-L, and then the 55-250 (which I still own). I eventually purchased the 70-200 f4 (IS version), and it's truly an outstanding lens. For 75% of my photography needs, it's perfect. But for outdoor sports, I find it's not long enough (I photograph dog agility and dog frisbee; the playing fields are a lot smaller than rugby fields). Last weekend I rented a 70-300L, for a frisbee event, and the difference was tremendous. I'm now in a bit of a quandry as to whether I should sell my beloved 70-200 and buy the 70-300, or stick with renting the 70-3 when I really need it. I'll probably end up doing the trade. I really enjoyed the extra reach.

So I understand your dilemma and wish you luck in sorting it out.

There's always the 1.4x or 2x extenders? you lose 1 stop of course but get back the full reach. the 70-300 is f/5.4 at anything over 100mm anyway (more or less)

ceegee wrote in post #14970921
The big advantage of the f4L is, of course, the focusing speed, which makes a huge difference for sports. But you're going to miss the reach, and that, too, makes a difference. It's going to be a question of deciding which of the two - focusing speed or reach - is the most important to you.

I used to own the 70-300 non-L, and then the 55-250 (which I still own). I eventually purchased the 70-200 f4 (IS version), and it's truly an outstanding lens. For 75% of my photography needs, it's perfect. But for outdoor sports, I find it's not long enough (I photograph dog agility and dog frisbee; the playing fields are a lot smaller than rugby fields). Last weekend I rented a 70-300L, for a frisbee event, and the difference was tremendous. I'm now in a bit of a quandry as to whether I should sell my beloved 70-200 and buy the 70-300, or stick with renting the 70-3 when I really need it. I'll probably end up doing the trade. I really enjoyed the extra reach.

So I understand your dilemma and wish you luck in sorting it out.

marcwilliams88 wrote in post #14970935
There's always the 1.4x or 2x extenders? you lose 1 stop of course but get back the full reach. the 70-300 is f/5.4 at anything over 100mm anyway (more or less)

Yes, I've just bought a 1.4 and am going to try it out this week with my 70-200. It might be a good compromise solution. I'll post the results here for the OP.

You will miss the reach. When I moved from Crop to FF I lost the reach I was used to out of my 70-200 (now sold). Start adding TC's and your AF performance will be hindered as well, maybe not terribly but it will have an impact. As well as a slight loss of IQ. In my case, I sold the 70-200 and went with the 70-300L and couldn't be happier. I get the reach I wanted back, and its awesome for the outdoor sports I shoot. That said, that one is a bit out of your budget. If I were you, I would stick with the 70-300 for now unless you are missing many moments because of it's unconfident AF, and maybe save up for the 70-300L - but thats just what I would do.

But a 70-200 f/4 with TC's is a very good option for being on a budget. Even tho its not the IS version of the lens, its still a great one and is often said to have similar IQ on par with any of the other 70-200's. You should rent one, and a TC if you can, and see what you think?

Christina.DazzleByDesi​gn wrote in post #14971023
....You should rent one, and a TC if you can, and see what you think?

Renting is a good option, sadly Jacobs has all but ceased trading in the UK, they had a rental setup where you could offset the cost of the lens if you rented it before hand.

Yeah, all of their stock has been auctioned off in the last week or so...

I went from the Canon 70-300 f3.4-5.6 Non-L and picked up the 70-200 F4L and I will never look back again. Yes I do miss the reach but at 250mmish or above, the images were not bad but cropping it, the images looked soft. But with the F4L, cropping was not an issue.
The focus was quick so I had way more shots in focus then with the 70-300.
With the F4, I also able to use the same ISO but higher shutter speed for a few night games I was testing out.