Decided to get the 300mm f4L IS USM

1Tanker wrote in post #16584024
Maybe for you! About the best i can get with my 300/4L, is Seagull flyby's. Between my lack of stealth (something i might be able to improve), and my physical limitations (something i can't improve), getting closer= more focal length. 420mm is about my minimum (on crop), and that's for Blue Herons, Canada Geese and Osprey.... not songbirds.

I don't shoot birds unless they are close. you need at least 400mm + TCs for birds.

DJHaze596 wrote in post #16583978
Whats the Sharpness difference between the 70-300L and 300 f4L? I would think the prime would be sharper.

of course it's sharper but the zoom is plenty sharp and has the other attributes that I mentioned -- 4-stop IS, adjustability.

MalVeauX wrote in post #16583937
Is that the little black one that isn't huge, but still has really good optics?

Very best,

no. it's a white L lens.

If you need a bit more reach, the 300/4 IS works quite well with an EF 1.4X II Extender, whether on full frame (at f8, one stop down from wide open)...

The 300mm f/4.0L IS is a great little lens in my opinion. It's the oldest lens in my arsenal at 14 years which speaks for itself on what I think of it. OK it has first generation IS, but I've never found that limiting at all. Go for it, I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

My main complaint with the lens, is the (often) heavy purple-fringing...especially when taking shots on the water.

1Tanker wrote in post #16584478
My main complaint with the lens, is the (often) heavy purple-fringing...especially when taking shots on the water.

Isn't that fixable in Post Process though?

I love the 300mm f/4 IS! With and without a 1.4x extender it has great performance. I think it is highly underrated. At the price you can get it for used, it is a steal IMO. I only sold mine because my 70-200 II + 1.4x III is close enough optically. But I still lost the ability for the 300 + 1.4x... I am curious if Canon updates it this year, being rumored as a big year for lens updates.

DJHaze596 wrote in post #16585287
Isn't that fixable in Post Process though?

Yes it is, so it's not an issue to be too concerned about.

Like I said in my post previously, I've had mine 14 years and if it was that much of a problem I wouldn't still have it.

DJHaze596 wrote in post #16585287
Isn't that fixable in Post Process though?

I guess it depends on how good you are at pp. Some of it is very thick. When i get shots of water-sports, every drop of water is almost 1/2 pink.. a nuisance.

1Tanker wrote in post #16584478
My main complaint with the lens, is the (often) heavy purple-fringing...especially when taking shots on the water.

It's not actually "purple fringing", per se. It's more of a magenta tint in specular highlights....

My 300/4 is great in most areas. Sharp at f/4, nice IQ, fast AF and relatively small and light. The short MFD makes for awesome images if you can get in close. It has noticeable fringing and longitudinal CA, but it's not a big deal for most images.

It takes the 1.4x TC II pretty well but I notice a lot more lateral CA around and a definite AF slowdown. It still works very nicely if you can stop down a bit.

I chose the 300 over the 400 f/5.6 and the 100-400 for the same reasons you're thinking about and have been happy. Having said that I do don't do a lot of wildlife or bird photography and when I do, I always want more reach. If 300mm is enough, I think it's a great choice.

I use the previous Canon 300mm F4 non-IS. I sold the 300 F4 IS and bought the non-IS.

I think Canon should have left off the IS. To me it appears the non-IS is sharper at F4 & F4.5 and does not have the CA issues. Fewer lens elements in the design similar to the 400mm F5.6.

Canon needs to release a modern 300mm F4 with 4 stop IS and fancy glass.
Uhh, but then it will have Canon version II pricing and we will not be able to afford it.

abqnmusa wrote in post #16588016
I use the previous Canon 300mm F4 non-IS. I sold the 300 F4 IS and bought the non-IS.

I think Canon should have left off the IS. To me it appears the non-IS is sharper at F4 & F4.5 and does not have the CA issues. Fewer lens elements in the design similar to the 400mm F5.6.

Canon needs to release a modern 300mm F4 with 4 stop IS and fancy glass.
Uhh, but then it will have Canon version II pricing and we will not be able to afford it.

I shoot mine (IS) at f/4.5 or f/6.3 with 1.4xTC on. That extra 1/3 stop seems to really sharpen it up.

1Tanker wrote in post #16588118
I shoot mine (IS) at f/4.5 or f/6.3 with 1.4xTC on. That extra 1/3 stop seems to really sharpen it up.

Agreed! That 1/3 stop makes a surprising difference.