which is the best 70-300 lens

Haven't seen this question asked before. The 70-200 appears to be the favoured lens by most (and I do have the f4 L version) but a 70-300 is a really convenient range.

Is there a good one out there (Canon or otherwise)?

thx

The best value 70-300 is generally held to be the sigma 70-300 APO macro - it even has a red stripe on the front element so it must be good - optically it has a great reputation. Tamron also make a 70-300 which is very inexpensive and of similar quality optically to the Canon versions

the Canon offerings - the consumer zooms 75-300 and 90-300 ( with or without their cheaper version of USM) - are pretty commonly held to be fairly grim quality wise - notorious for softness and poor build quality.

The Canon 100-300 is supposed to be very good for a consumer lens, and the NEW 70-300 IS lens is supposed to be excellent, now that the portrait orientation problem is fixed. consequently these lenses are pretty back-ordered, if you want one you'll probably have to wait a while ( in the UK anyway)

The last main one is the Canon 70-300 DO IS - which is pretty expensive and again has a reputation for softness.

check out The Digital Picture for general info about canon lenses.

I think it would be a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, without the famous phenomenon, or the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM, a good example.

My friend owns the DO, it's pretty good, and I had the 70-300 IS, but I down and upgraded to 70-200 f/4L.

As you have even 1.4x II Extender, I don't see why you have to get 20mm extra reach.

I'd say the EF 70-300 IS USM f/4-5.6 is the "best" based on price, performance and features. Some will say the EF 70-300 DO is the best for build and size. Others will say the Sigma 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 is the best bang for the buck. Strong arguments can be made for all 3. Is that wishy-washy enough for you?

Perhaps the best 70-300 (-ish) lens is the 70-200/2.8 plus the 1.4x TC?

thanks for the responses (I welcome more opinions)....

to answer your question, I agree that the 70-200 F4 with the 1.4 TC is a good combination, and I suspect that it is probably as good if not better, with regards to picture quality than some of the 70-300 lenses out there. I have used it in that mode and been satisfied with the pictures.

The reason I am asking is because that combination makes for a very long (and heavy) lens which is not the most convenient when doing vacation trips and where you want to minimize the weight and size of your equipment.

LOL, this question is almost asked as often as the 70-200 f/2.8, f/4 & Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 question.....

One of the posters here, Ron Chappel did some comparison shots of this range with a Canon, Sigma & Tamron.

But consensus at the bottom end of the range would seem to be (in descending order.)

1. Sigma 70-300 APO
2. Tamron 70-300 LD
3. Sigma 70-300 non-APO

no idea where Canon's equivalent fits into that scheme of things in terms of IQ now, but in terms of expense, probably at the top end. But people who have been lucky enough to get a good copy of the Sigma APO absolutely love it.

Would any lens in this range be comparable in IQ to your 70-200 f/4 though?? A question for those that have both lenses

Ah, I understand!

I think you should go for the cheap 70-300 Sigmas... They're light, short (non-zoomed in), and the quality is alright. But of course far from your 70-200L f/4 with the 1.4x II.

I had the 70-300, the 70-200 f/4L came yesterday evening, and WOW; it's a long lens.

I'm happy B & H didn't ship to me accidentaly a 400mm f/5.6L. I would just go crazy.

The best 70-300 is the Canon DO lens. Until you've owned it, don't call it soft, no matter what you've read about it. It's not soft, not one bit.

mark