Canon 70-200 f/4 or Tamron 70-300

I have a Canon 70-200 F/4 l non-is? I have been wondering about the Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC, for handheld photography. I have a hand injury that make it sometimes difficult to press the shutter button and hand hold for a steady image. I like the photos I get so far with 70-200, but IS usually makes the difference between a great shot and a blahhh shot. I would like a 70-200 f/4 IS, but can't justify the extra $400-500 difference in price right now or the foreseeable future. I just curious to see if the IQ and overall performance is relatively the same? Any comments, advice, personal experience, or images about comparison would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I owned both the 70-200 f4L IS and the tamron 70-300 VC (te canon IS and non-IS are very close IQ wise and I doubt many people could pick out differences in photos taken with them)

The tamron is going to be a little slower at 200mm (f5 vs f4) and looking at DP's resolution charts a little softer as well. Here's a link to the resolution charts for the canon vs tamron.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com …omp=0&FLIComp=0​&APIComp=0

If you need a constant f4 and IS then I'd say save up for the canon. If you don't need the constant f4 or just want the extra reach then I'd go with the tamron

Persoanly I'm trying selling my tamron so I can get the sigma 70-200 OS (want tha constant f2.8) but the tamron is so much lighter and has more reach that I'm finding myself wanting to keep it just for those reason because it is such a good lens.

Edit: also check out the sample threads or each lens here on POTN. It's a great resource to see what each lens can produce.

IMO, the tamron is a better pick easily, since the VC really works well. It's kind of finicky, but does an excellent job overall, better than none. it gets a tad softer past 200mm, but I dont falter it much for what it is.

the 70-200 was a disaster for me because anytime I would shoot under shading, I'de have to raise the ISO a lot to compensate for the high shutter speeds it needed. With the tamron, I dont have to worry about that. I kind of want a 70-200 F2.8 lens, but the weight is scaring me off, so will probably get the 135F2 to supplement for the slowness.... but even that concerns me, since it's not stabilized.

I had the 70-200 f4. Sold it and kept the Tamron. The Tamron cost less, was 100mm longer, and had VC. The focus speed is basically the same and the Tamron has earned a well deserved reputation for being sharp. For me it made perfect sense to go Tamron. I would take the f4 IS in a heartbeat of course, but considering the Tamron cost me $400 when I got it, the price difference was MASSIVE and not worth it for me.
Very happy with the choice!

trx125 wrote in post #15640406
I have a Canon 70-200 F/4 l non-is? I have been wondering about the Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC, for handheld photography. I have a hand injury that make it sometimes difficult to press the shutter button and hand hold for a steady image. I like the photos I get so far with 70-200, but IS usually makes the difference between a great shot and a blahhh shot. I would like a 70-200 f/4 IS, but can't justify the extra $400-500 difference in price right now or the foreseeable future. I just curious to see if the IQ and overall performance is relatively the same? Any comments, advice, personal experience, or images about comparison would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Handheld images from a Tamron 70-300mm vibration control lens.

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I picked the 70-200 f4 non IS over the Tamron because:
-better IQ
-faster at 200mm
-non extending
-better IQ even with 1.4x TC
-faster focus
-better build

However, if you need IS, and it sounds like you do due to your injury, then get the Tamron or save up for the f4 IS (this really is the best choice if you buy used, don't buy it new as it isn't worth the price then IMO).

Refurbished Canon 70-200 F/4 IS lenses are currently on sale for $864 from the Canon Factory Direct Store.