Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS mk2 w/1.4tc or 300mm f4L IS???

Hi all,

I am looking to have a bit of a re-shuffle with my lenses, the 50mm i have barely gets used so i am selling it as i really want something a longer (said the actress to the bishop!).

Originally i had my mind made up that a 300mm f4L IS would be the way to go, but today another option popped into my head and i would like to hear other peoples thought's on it.

I have heard a lot of good things about the new 70-200 f2.8 IS mk2 (apart from the price!) and the new mk3 tc's. Now i already have a mk1 70-200 2.8 IS and mk2 1.4tc but i really never use them together as i've not been all that happy with them paired up (maybe a micro-adjustment would help) but i have heard many people saying the new 70-200 is as sharp as some primes and that the new tc's are also far better than the old ones...

So, would i be better getting rid of my mk1 70-200 and tc and putting some extra cash down on the new models? i realize i'll only be at 280mm f4 with the zoom & tc combo but i would have more flexibility than if i had a 300mm f4 IS prime.

I did post this on another forum too, one of the comments there suggested a 120-300 f2.8. This would be great but i would need to sell the 70-200 to afford the 120-300 and i don't really want to lose the wider 70mm end of the range either. So, until i can afford to run both lenses i'm ruling that option out.

The main use for the lens is equestrian sports, show jumping etc.

I look forward to hearing your views and suggestions.

Cheers

Steve

Have you considered the 70-300L?

Tommydigi wrote in post #15649736
Have you considered the 70-300L?

No, 70-300 is not fast enough for indoor use.

I'm thinking if i keep my current 70-200 f2.8 i would add the 300mm f4. The 70-200 for use indoors and when the flexibility of a zoom is needed. The 300mm f4 for outside when a bit more reach is needed.

Alternatively, sell my 70-200 and replace with the sharper mk2 and also replace my 1.4x tc with the new mk3 tc and just add the tc when i need a bit more reach outside. What i need to know though is does this combo compare favorably (af spreed/image quality) to the 300mm f4 IS??

Steve

anyone with experience of these 2 options able to share their opinions of the lenses in question?

Steve

There are mixed opinions about the 70-200 lenses. Granted we all want sharp images, it makes it difficult for one with a constrained budget to a make decision based on price. Most people claim IS is not needed for motorsports but again the non IS lenses don't offer superior IQ as compared to the almighty canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS II. Now that is the dilema i'm also facing in making a choice. Worst of all I attempted to sell my canon 70-200 f2.8L and got scummed on Amazon.

Go with the 300. If you aren't happy with your current, you probably won't be happy with the newer items either. A bare 300 is going to autofocus quicker and have better iq than a zoom with an extender.

You're just about always going to be better off with bare glass than something + a TC, outside of the long primes.

I find the 70-200 II equally as good as the 300 f/4 IS with the TC on it. Plus you get a more versatile lens and better IS.

I've been very happy with the 70-200 2.8 IS (UW year code) for several years, and used it occasionally in conjunction with my 1.4 II TC. The two worked well together; there was an appreciable hit on IQ, particularly in the corners, but the combo did produce nice images when stopped down past ƒ5.6.

After a tax windfall in October, I went looking at the 300 ƒ4 and the 400 ƒ5.6. After trying both at the shop, I went with the 300. It is so much better than the zoom and TC. IS only adds an ostensible 2 stops, but it's a much lighter lens. AND, it takes the TC very well, giving 420mm ƒ5.6; the fact that the 400 5.6 would go to ƒ8 with TC and thus lose AF was the decisive factor in my choice of the shorter lens.

I'll keep the 70-200; it's not an either/or - more an extension to my lens arsenal. It's a pleasant dilemma - good luck in your choice.

First option.

70-200 + converter is a far more versatile way to go. That would be my choice. BTW I used that combo for years.

Appreciate the comments guys. i think i will stick with my original decission and get a 300mm.