Lens Dilema

Ok, I have beat this horse to death now. So here goes, I have a 70-200 L f/4 non IS and I can't hold still enough(hand injury) to take a decently sharp photo it seems. I need something with image stabilization. So my thoughts are to get a 70-300mm F4/5.6 non L and a 15-85mm. I really like the pictures I get with the 70-200 off a tripod, but no so much handheld. I feel like I'm going backwards here, but really need something more suited to my needs now. Maybe one day I will win the lottery, but for now I think this is the best solution for me. What are your thought or suggestions? Thanks for your time!

sounds like a good idea...another thought is maybe the tamron 70-300VC...i think the stabilization in that might be a tad bit better than the canon...

How does IQ compare between the 2?

trx125 wrote in post #15777235
Ok, I have beat this horse to death now. So here goes, I have a 70-200 L f/4 non IS and I can't hold still enough(hand injury) to take a decently sharp photo it seems. I need something with image stabilization. So my thoughts are to get a 70-300mm F4/5.6 non L and a 15-85mm. I really like the pictures I get with the 70-200 off a tripod, but no so much handheld. I feel like I'm going backwards here, but really need something more suited to my needs now. Maybe one day I will win the lottery, but for now I think this is the best solution for me. What are your thought or suggestions? Thanks for your time!

If you like the 70-200, why not go with the 70-200 f/4L IS USM? It's a nice lens, and you might get the stabilization you need. Besides, with something like the 70-300, you'll need to be really steady at the long end of the focal length and/or shoot at a high shutter speed.

Rent a lens. Renting will cost you extra in the short term, but you can try a lens and see if it suits you. If it doesn't, then you don't have the hassle of getting rid of a lens that doesn't work for you.

Lens Rentals, linked below, seems to be a decent place, though I've yet to rent from them.

http://www.lensrentals​.com

Good luck!

mathogre wrote in post #15777365
If you like the 70-200, why not go with the 70-200 f/4L IS USM? It's a nice lens, and you might get the stabilization you need. Besides, with something like the 70-300, you'll need to be really steady at the long end of the focal length and/or shoot at a high shutter speed.

Rent a lens. Renting will cost you extra in the short term, but you can try a lens and see if it suits you. If it doesn't, then you don't have the hassle of getting rid of a lens that doesn't work for you.

Lens Rentals, linked below, seems to be a decent place, though I've yet to rent from them.

http://www.lensrentals​.com

Good luck!

I have to win the lottery first. Or sell some stuff!
I could trade the 70-200 for a 15-85, sell my 50 1.8, 17-85 and save until I have enough for the 70-200 f4 is. Keep the ideas coming. I not going to make any impulsive decisions just yet.

Have you thought about adding a tripod collar and a monopod? That might be necessary with the IS as well. Just dpends on your situation.

Good luck!

Trique Daddi wrote in post #15777467
Have you thought about adding a tripod collar and a monopod? That might be necessary with the IS as well. Just dpends on your situation.

Good luck!

I have tried that as well. Thanks!

Another potential solution is:
Sigma 17-70 Contemporary + 70-200 f4 IS. Granted, it will still take you a while to save up, but I believe the 70-200 is worth it over the 70-300's, and the Sigma has better IQ than the 17-85, as well as better OS

As you can see, I'm a fan of the 15-85 and the 70-300L. Took me a while to save up for the 70-300L but it's been worth it. Focuses quickly and is very sharp.

Here's the POTN dedicated thread: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=955129

Phoenixkh wrote in post #15777611
As you can see, I'm a fan of the 15-85 and the 70-300L. Took me a while to save up for the 70-300L but it's been worth it. Focuses quickly and is very sharp.

Here's the POTN dedicated thread: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=955129

Both lenses are on sale at Canon refurbished
70-300 f/4-5.6L IS $1,037.82 http://shop.usa.canon.​com …uct_10051_10051​_327247_-1
15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS $543.99 http://shop.usa.canon.​com …uct_10051_10051​_269486_-1

plus sales tax

Trying to help spend more of your money.

Well don't forget that larger aperture also helps against handshake. If you have a very deliberate need for optimizing pictures while the hand isn't steady I would definitely look into non-Canon options so that getting some form of stabilization and f/2.8 might get into reach. Screw pixel-peeping in that case.

The 70-300 IS non-L is a huge step backward in both image quality and auto focus performance over your 70-200 f/4 non-IS. If you are happy with the 200mm focal length, I would suggest saving up for the IS version of your current lens, as you probably will not be happy with the 70-300 after owning the L. I never cared for that lens -- it was soft at 300mm, and the auto focus hunted in lower light. It is not a ring USM lens -- instead it uses a micro motor. I ended up selling it when the 70-200 f/4 IS hit the market, and was much happier.

here's an old test comparing the 70-300IS to the 70-200f4L...you can see it's not totally off...yeah it'll be a bit, but the IS is also something that will help many of your shots
http://www.pbase.com/l​ightrules/isvf4
and you can look here to see the differences between the tamron and your 70-200f4L...again, you'll lose a bit of sharpness, but you'll gain more versatility.

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

Thanks for everyone's advice. After much condsideration, I think I'm going to sell or trade the 70-200 for a 15-85mm(gives me quality lens and IS), sell the 17-85 and my 50 1.8 and save the rest up to get a 70-200 f/4 IS or maybe the tamron 70-200 2.8. I may even go with the 70-300L, it looks like it is about the same price. Thanks.

Scott M wrote in post #15778422
The 70-300 IS non-L is a huge step backward in both image quality and auto focus performance over your 70-200 f/4 non-IS. If you are happy with the 200mm focal length, I would suggest saving up for the IS version of your current lens, as you probably will not be happy with the 70-300 after owning the L. I never cared for that lens -- it was soft at 300mm, and the auto focus hunted in lower light. It is not a ring USM lens -- instead it uses a micro motor. I ended up selling it when the 70-200 f/4 IS hit the market, and was much happier.

QFT. I had the 70-300 and the photos I get from even a 70-200 2.8 IS (old version) cropped are better. The L glass makes a big difference IMHO as the 70-300 is a little soft on the long end, at least in my experience. The IS version of the 70-200 F/4 can be had used for just over $900 on most days. $500 for the non IS version and all you need to do is add some saved up cash.