Question about upgrading my lens

My kit consists of a 55-200mm(4.5/5.6 II) usm lens, the standard kit lense and my 50mm 1.8.

The other day a friend of mine who is in the progress of switching over to a nikon setup offered me his 70-300mm USM IS lense. I've seen the lense and it is in perfect condition.

He needs his money soon, so he said he'd sell it to me for $150 canadian. I've used it for him on a few occasions (he needed help).

Do you think I should buy this lens and sell my 55-200mm?
Will there be an increase or decrease in quality?

I'm not professional or anything, i just don't want to buy anything thats inferior to my current setup.

I would take it for that price. Are you sure it's the IS version? If it really is, definately buy it. That lens is not cheap, besides, when it comes to camera stuff, $150 Canadian is almost nothing. Something fun to play with if nothing else.

If its the IS version, $150.00 is a really good price. If the lens is a relatively new one, chances are that its a lot better lens than your 55-200.

You say you have used the lens. We you satisfied with the results you got with it? Do you need the extra reach? Are you satisfied with the price? Three "yes' answers means buy it.

Are you sure that it's the newer 70-300 IS lens, and not the older 75-300 IS lens? Its either really a steal, or it's actually the older 75-300 at that price.

crn3371 wrote in post #2037277
Are you sure that it's the newer 70-300 IS lens, and not the older 75-300 IS lens? Its either really a steal, or it's actually the older 75-300 at that price.

I'd bet it's not the new one.

Its a 70-300. It was purchased in April?

I used it, but didn't get the chance to see the final product. I shot with it, and then gave the cards to him.

Not sure about the exact model but what I do know for sure:

70-300
IS
USM
and it has a two mode image stabalization
and a lock so it doesn't move when your holding the camera vertically

grab it

If you don't actually want it, buy it, and I'll give you $200 US for it.

yah that 70-300 IS could easliy be a fair price at $400 USD

150 canadian is like eleven american dollars or something... lol

definately a great price, i would buy it even if i didnt need it.

I just sold a friends 75-300 IS for him, and had it for a couple weeks to mess around with and it is a pretty nice lens. there are better lenses, but hard to beat for the very low price.

MikeMcL wrote in post #2037393
150 canadian is like eleven american dollars or something... lol

Sssshhhhh! Don't tell him that.

He dropped by and i inspected it yet again. He was in a hurry though.
CANON EF 70-300MM F4-5.6 IS USM LENS
* High performance, telephoto zoom
* Ideal for sports, portraiture
* IS system reduces camera shake
* Filter Diameter: 58mm
* Developed to meet the high-performance standards that today's photographers demand
* Improved Image Stabilizer Technology provides up to three stops of "shake" correction, and the "Mode 2" option stabilizes images while panning with a moving subject. Compared to the original Canon EF 75-300mm IS zoom lens, this telephoto lens has faster autofocus, and overall the lens is lighter and has a smaller diameter than the original
* The zoom ring can be locked at the 70mm position, making this powerful lens easy to transport
* Focal Length & Maximum Aperture: 70-300mm f/4-5.6
* Lens Construction: 15 elements in 10 groups
* Diagonal Angle of View: 84° - 23° 20' (with full-frame camera)\
* Focus Adjustment: Front-focusing method with helicoid ring drive
* Closest Focusing Distance: 4.9 ft./1.5m
* Zoom System: 6-group helical zoom (rotational angle: 84°)
* Max. Diameter x Length, Weight: 3.0 in. x 5.6 in., 22.2 oz. (lens only)

You haven't coughed up the cash yet? That is a steal.

that's a nice lens for that money.

Now, that's what I call a real PAL!!