How important is IS?

https://photography-on-the.net …93&highlight=ne​ccesary+IS

I was thinking more for an all-around lens. I know basically everyone has different lenses for a given situation (ie. a certain lens for wildlife and a different lens for concerts), but I am in need of a lens that can handle multiple situations.

I assume that IS is a feature that would be necessary for an all-around lens. My question is whether or not I should go for the IS just "incase" I never need it (since I'll be using it basically all of the time) or if the L quality justifies lugging around a tripod/monopod everywhere (which I really would like to avoid).

There is an L series with IS if money isnt an issue...
Are you intending in using any polarizing filters or drop in filters?
The 70-300 USM IS has a rotating ring on it and these filters will not work with out constant adjustments.

I know that many of the pros will argue this to their deaths; I have heard from a few reputable people that the optics between the 70-200 L series and the 70-300 USM IS are almost comparable.

Having more than you need is better than not having enough. As long as you will use the rest of the lens and not drag it out once a year for those special events.

I HIGHLY recommend going to a pro store and playing around with the lenses.
I DON'T buy from mail order sites simply for this reason, you have no clue what you are really getting. Sure you might pay 10% more for the purchase, but at least you know what your getting your self into.
Would you buy a car without test driving it?
Probably not, so go rent one and play with it.
Most stores will let you play with them inhouse asmuch as you want, but you dont get the freedom of using it in situations that you will use it.

The store that I bought my camera from (The Camera Store (www.thecamerastore.ca)) will allow you to trade up or down for 10 days. I bought the Rebel Xt on this basis. If i didnt like the way that it was working for me, I could exchange it for another model 20D etc. Or downgrade but you only get store credit back.


I have the 70-300.
It has a few cons.
-It is a bit noisier than the L series lenses since its not a ring type USM
-The end of the lens rotates preventing some filters from being used.
-Not as flashy as an L series (if you into bragging about what you have)

Pros:
-Compact
-Light weight (1.4lbs)
-Inexpensive considering features
-58mm filters
-Good image quality
-3 stop Image stabalization


Hope this helps and good luck,

I'll be concise this time since my reply was lost when Opera froze.

Does IS allow for the lens to become used in many more situations? Would the 70-200mm f/4L ONLY be usable in some ridiculously bright sunlight? If the answer to both of those question is yes, then my decision remains with the 70-300 IS.

no. you don't. i would recommend that you stick with one of the L zooms because ring USM focusses faster.

ed rader

what you lose with the 70-300 is a little image quality and ring USM and the latter is a must for moving objects, imo.

as far as the f4 and f2.8 argument goes i seldom shoot at f2.8 because of the shallow DOF and softness which is common with fast zooms.

the 70-200L f4 is very sharp at f4 and throughout its range.

ed rader

What makes the ring USM essential for moving objects? And how much "image quality" are we talking? I'm sure it's a much debated issue, but do you happen to have any comparisons?

What would you suggest I get for a multi-situation lens?

ring USM is canon's best focussing. i lose a lot of actions shots with ring USM and i would not accept anything less.

there are plenty of comparisons of these two lenses. and the 70-300 fares very well but the IQ isn't as good and it doesn't focus as fast (does not have ring USM).

the 70-200L f4 is wicked sharp, and it's the one i use. it's sharper than the tamron 28-75 and sharper than my new canon 24-105L.


ed rader

I agree with "Ed Radar " that shooting at f2.8 leads to a less than desirable DOF.

Focusing on a horse isn't exactly a "fast" moving item.

I've been using the 70-300 to track numerious FAST moving items.
Trains, Cars, and Jets in particular. Along with the occasional organism.

Recently I used this lens at a sealife park in Hawaii (Oahu). I had no issues focusing on a dolphin launching its self out of water and back into which lasts all of 1/2 a second.
3fps on the XT and 3 perfectly exposed and focused shots of the trick

The below shot was shot in jpeg and cropped, no resizing or sharpening have occured. This is exactly how the file came out of my XT.

HOSTED PHOTO
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I've had my non-IS for a few months, and I've yet to regret not getting the IS version. For me, it wasn't "about the money"; I had it. I just couldn't justify the extra $500.00 to get the IS; I'd rarely use it, Most of the time I'm shooting moving subjects.

Comparing the f/4 to the f/2.8 isn't really fair, as they really are two different lenses. The f/4 is smaller and lighter than either f/2.8 version. And, if the lens is to be used outdoors, the justification could be made to go with the f/4 version, as the benefit of the f/2.8 may not be fully realized...

Steve

I'm not the person to ask this. Every EOS lens I have that goes beyond 100 mm is IS. Or does that in itself answer your question?