Anyone still using an old 300MM 2.8 non IS?

Thinking about picking up a 300 2.8 non IS that I have been offered a pretty good deal on. Wondering how it would work on my 1Dx and if the images are as sharp on the old 300 as they are on my 70-200 2.8II, or even the newer 300 IS version. I realize the newer IS version can be used at lower shutter speeds but most everything I'd be shooting would be at 320+ shutter speed, most likely double that. lens date looks to be 1994 vintage. (if it matters I'd be shooting motorsports and indoor cheer competitions)


Just trying to figure out if the price of the IS can be justified in my head or if the old non IS will work just fine. Thanks

Here's the thread,
https://photography-on-the.net …read.php?t=5614​83&page=71

Some of those posting in it have moved on, but they'd be a great group to ask.
Also find the 400mm f/2.8L thread, a lot of the same people have owned both. (ie: they liked the results so much they went ahead and invested more in the 400mm as well)

Looked/still looking into this vs a 500mm f/4.5L also non IS and similar price range.

Glass looks wonderful, but one of the issues is lack of Canon parts for both lenses (esp one of the motors, which if it breaks and you cannot find a replacement, you cannot even manually focus and you are stuck with a $2-3k paperweight).

I assume that the IS versions are still being serviced by Canon, so you are getting more that just IS with the price jump.


CDS, didn't you have one of these in the past?

No, the only lens of this generation I have owned is the 200mm f/1.8L with the same fly by wire AF system

IMHO the image quality and AF speed are really close to modern optics. They just built these first big whites better than anything!

I did own SIGMA 500mm f/4.5 a long time ago.