300 2.8 IS vs 300 2.8 ISii

Anyone have experience with the two lenses in the title?

In a couple of months time I shall be in the lucky position of being able to afford the version ii of this lens, for approximately £1500 less I can get the older version, is there much of a difference apart from weight and length?

Also, I intend using it with a 1.4ii extender (and possibly a 2x iii if they work well together) does the newer version work better with extenders?

Or, should I just go for the previous gen. 400 2.8?? Can't afford that one new.

Thanks!

(I shall be using it for general motorsport duties + plus an owl that I managed to shoot quite a bit last year)

The 300 MkII works significantly better with the 2xMkIII teleconverter, just a little better with the 1.4XII. The 300 MkII is lighter and more easily used hand-held. Add in an extra couple of stops of IS and it's a meaningfully better overall package IMO. If you're using a monopod for (motor) sports then I'd save the money and get the Mk I but for hand-held use and wildlife in particular the MK II makes a much better 600 f5.6.

Thanks

I would definitely want to use it with extenders. I shall be using it on a monopod but the ability to handhold if required is a big bonus.

Both of the 300s are good with extenders.

How do you find the focus speed with a 2x on the version i? Where would you draw the line for it still being usable? (moving subjects)

.....and thanks

nellyle wrote in post #15658614
How do you find the focus speed with a 2x on the version i? Where would you draw the line for it still being usable? (moving subjects)

.....and thanks

I only have the 300 IS Mk1 but find that the 2 x Mk3 (not Mk2) extender makes it into a very usable 600 F 5.6, though the focus hunts occasionally it is accurate and IQ didn't compare badly to my 600 F4 L IS though AF was significantly quicker on the 600. I have not used the 300 F2.8 IS Mk2 but I am told it is slightly better - but at it's price it should be! My used, but excellent condition, Mk1 cost me nearly 3k (sterling) less than a new Mk2 - sorry they cannot be that much better. If you need reach the I picked up an excellent Canon 800 F5.6 IS recently for only 400 pounds more than a 300 Mk2 (WEX price), yes it's bigger and heavier - but if you need reach?
The Mk2 lenses are superb - just way overpriced!

That's interesting, thanks.

Perhaps I should be looking at a good condition used version 1. I could then afford to get a 1DMK4 to pair it with.....

I have used the Mk2 extender a lot on my 300 with very good results. True the autofocus slows and good light or a tripod helps. I just purchased the Mk3 2x but have not used it on the 300 yet because I just got the 500. IMO the 300 f/2.8 L IS MkI is a very good value and performs so well that i don't think the upgrade to the MKII is worth it.

Tapeman wrote in post #15660904
I have used the Mk2 extender a lot on my 300 with very good results. True the autofocus slows and good light or a tripod helps. I just purchased the Mk3 2x but have not used it on the 300 yet because I just got the 500. IMO the 300 f/2.8 L IS MkI is a very good value and performs so well that i don't think the upgrade to the MKII is worth it.

Thanks for this.

Anything that saves a bit of money will go down well with the wife!

Considering my uses mentioned earlier, do you think I would be better hunting down a 400 2.8? Body wise, I used to have a 1D2N and to be honest, I miss the fps. As a minimum I shall be adding a 1D3, if I go for a used 300 I could stretch to a 1D4.....this hobby has too many choices!

nellyle wrote in post #15661241
Thanks for this.

Anything that saves a bit of money will go down well with the wife!

Considering my uses mentioned earlier, do you think I would be better hunting down a 400 2.8? Body wise, I used to have a 1D2N and to be honest, I miss the fps. As a minimum I shall be adding a 1D3, if I go for a used 300 I could stretch to a 1D4.....this hobby has too many choices!

Unlike Tapeman I was not too happy with my 2 x Mk2 extender. To be fair I had sold this extender before I got the 300 F2.8 - so bear that in mind. However I find the Mk3 2x quite useable on the Canon 300 F4 L IS and the 600 F4 L IS with my 1 D Mk4 in decent light - the Mk2 was not in my experience.

I have the 300mm f/2.8 IS and use both TCs with it all the time. Yes the AF is slower with the 2x III but very usable and gives great results. The AF will slow with the 2x even on the version 300mm II. It may give slightly better image quality but not worth the increase in price. Remember the 300mm f2.8 IS was Canons sharpest super-tele before the version II came out. It is a superb lens. I would rather use the extra money for a 500mm or 600mm lens. Have one of those plus a 300mm is a great combo.

The Mark II is a little better optically but you really have to look hard to see it and it does focus slightly faster with a 2X TC but as far as hand holding goes the fact that the tripod collar is not removable on the Mark II kind of defeats the weight reduction factor for hand holding.

I have 300L IS 1st version and just acquired the MK II because I'm planning to upgrade it. But after some small quick test comparison, I found my MK I is slightly sharper than MK II, both colors, contrast etc are similiar. I have to do it more extensive to make final judgement. The only advantages of MK II are lighter and faster AF. I didnt tried them with TC tho, so can't comment with that

Ive owned both 300ver 1 and 2. I can not tell a difference in quality. I use the ver 3 extenders. I think they are both great lenses. If I had my old ver1 i dont think i would "upgrade". I just dont think its that much better. As a matter of fact, thinking back to the first few shots with my ver 2 lens i recall thinking to myself I thought the ver 1 may have been sharper. Good luck with your purchase.

nellyle wrote in post #15658614
How do you find the focus speed with a 2x on the version i? Where would you draw the line for it still being usable? (moving subjects)

.....and thanks

The 2.0x TC II on the 300 f2/8L IS is, for me, too slow in focusing for moving objects. Both IS versions of the 300 f2/8L are terrific lenses. I don't have experience with the 300mm F/2.8L IS II with the 2.0 TC III. It may be better.

The 400mm f2.8L IS awesome, cheap used, but heavy and the II version works great with the 1.4x TC III and is wonderfully lighter. Stellar quality and excellent focus tracking on the 1D X.