Looking for advice on a zoom lens.

Bassat wrote in post #18597048
The new 70-300mm USM II is the best bargain going in Canon zooms. Lightning-quick, dead-accurate focus, and optically excellent. I got one from Canon Refurbished for $379. You get 50% more reach than the 70-200, and modern IS, and IQ on par with the 70-200, for a few $$ less than the 70-200. I sold my EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM after getting the 70-300 II.

That’s high praise. I loved my 70-200f4LIS. IS is something you want at 200-300.

S.Horton wrote in post #18597611
Check K&H for used gear.

With the long list of "II' L glass around, you can snag something excellent in the "I" series and be very content.

70-200 is one example.

You mean KEH? You’re better off at Adorama or eBay for used gear.

mcluckie wrote in post #18598697
That’s high praise. I loved my 70-200f4LIS. IS is something you want at 200-300.

I'm a bit puzzled. I am referring to the EF 70-300mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM II lens. I gave up the 70-200, not the IS.

I recently parted with a non IS 70-200 F4L because I really just had to have the 70-200 F2.8 L II. In all actuality that old F4 came real close to matching the IQ of the newer stabilized lens and at a lot less weight to carry around. The biggest gain is in bokeh with being able to get down to 2.8....I rarely find myself using the stabilization as I usually shoot stationary objects and just boost the ISO a bit to shoot without having to use a tripod or stabilization. IT’s hard to beat that old lens for the money with lots around for under $500.

maybe you want to wait for 70-200 f/4 IS USM mark II

Just a reminder that L glass is usually weather sealed. I don't know if that's important to you but it's very important to me.

I have the Canon EF 70-300mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM II lens and have been using it now for a couple of weeks and have been really impressed and happy with the photos. I have borrowed a couple of 70-200 f2.8 lenses in the past for indoor events and they are great for that but have not shot with one outdoors to compare to the 70-300. I think I paid right about $500 from B&H for mine

Phoenixkh wrote in post #18597448
I don't know... my 70-300L is what got me into bird photography. This guy showed up in our backyard:

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/nyc8​eS Reworked Barred Owl by Phoenixkh, on Flickr

Even when cropped, he comes out nice:

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/iBis​Sn Final edit by Phoenixkh, on Flickr

I had pretty good luck with my 70-300L. It would be cool if the new 70-300 USM ii were as good. I think inexpensive lenses get more people into photography.... which is a good thing for us all.

Absolutely outstanding shots!!