canon 300mm 2.8

Hi all, i already own a 300mm f4 which i use with IS turned off on a tripod for birds etc,. i use a 30d and get some nice images, my question is if i upgraded to the 300mm 2.8 would my pics be sharper?? I know i would gain an extra stop which would be a bonus here in sunny UK but would i see the extra £2000.00 worth in my pics?? thanks for any info guys

Anyone???

Well the 300 2.8L IS could very well be the sharpest lens Canon currently produces. However since the 300 f/4L is also very sharp upgrading just for sharpness won't be worth it in my opinion. You should consider the upgrade if you need the extra stop for low light shooting, or to control depth of field. Other considerations are that it probably takes TCs better than any other lens out there, so you have a versatile 300 f/2.8, 420 f/4 and 600 f/5.6 with IS all in one hand holdable package. I imagine you would also notice an increase in focus speed. Whether these things are worth the money or not is entirely up to you.

the 300 2.8 is a fabulous lens, definitly my sharpest, most likely the sharpest canon currently makes. As mentioned it also takes TCs fabulously. Sharpness, focus speed, and the Bokeh are out of the world. if you can afford it, it is certainly a fatastic lens.

Its almost four times the price of the 300 F/4L, but I think its worth it

I bought the 300 f/2.8 earlier this year and shoot motorsports. I also have the 100-400 and the 400 f/5.6 and have not touched them since getting the 300. It is an incredible lens. Most likely Canon's sharpest and if not, it's damn close. You can twist a 1.4 or 2.0 TC to it and your photos suffer zero. I have also heard that it's the fastest AF lens on Earth. Whether it is or not, I don't know but it performed flawlessly this season.

Actually, the OP''s question is something I've always wondered about also.

As to the statements here regarding the 300 f2.8 being perhaps the fastest AF lens on the planet, have there been any tests performed anywhere against the 400 f2.8? Is the 300 sharper? Does it focus faster than the 400 f2.8? Does the 300 f2.8 handle TC's better than does the 400 f2.8?

mark

defordphoto wrote in post #2078085
Whether it is or not, I don't know but it performed flawlessly this season.

It's only what I have heard. I have nothing to quantify such a claim and it really doesn't matter. It's the quickest puppy in my doghouse.

MDJAK wrote in post #2078148
Actually, the OP''s question is something I've always wondered about also.

As to the statements here regarding the 300 f2.8 being perhaps the fastest AF lens on the planet, have there been any tests performed anywhere against the 400 f2.8? Is the 300 sharper? Does it focus faster than the 400 f2.8? Does the 300 f2.8 handle TC's better than does the 400 f2.8?

mark

200 1.8 beats out all these from what i've seen, in all the categories (fine, it's only an f3.5 @400mm). 300 should focus faster than 400 f2.8 though, glass on 400 2.8 weighs more (both are heavy, but 300 should need to move less)

I have both 300/4 and 300/2.8 L IS. The f/4 is indeed a great deal for the $ and great for macro. I got the f/2.8 to use as a handholdable bird lens. I cannot get over how good it is with a 2x. It seems like overlap but if you have the $, maybe not a bad idea.

300 2.8 is canon's fastest focusing production lens. period. Some say the 300 f/4 is its equal. This I cant quantify. 2.8 for me was a no brainer. If you add a TC or 2 its making even more sense. This is a crop.

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The autofocus speed of the 300mm f/4L IS is no match for that of the 300mm f/2.8L IS.
Canon claims the 300mm f/2.8L IS, 400mm f/2.8L IS, 500mm f/4L IS, and 600mm f/4L IS are the quickest autofocus lenses in the world when mounted to an EOS-1v, EOS-3, EOS-1D, EOS-1D MkII (or N), EOS-1Ds, or EOS-1Ds MkII
I'm perfectly happy with my 300mm f/4L IS.

formula4speed wrote in post #2077456
Well the 300 2.8L IS could very well be the sharpest lens Canon currently produces. However since the 300 f/4L is also very sharp upgrading just for sharpness won't be worth it in my opinion. You should consider the upgrade if you need the extra stop for low light shooting, or to control depth of field. Other considerations are that it probably takes TCs better than any other lens out there, so you have a versatile 300 f/2.8, 420 f/4 and 600 f/5.6 with IS all in one hand holdable package. I imagine you would also notice an increase in focus speed. Whether these things are worth the money or not is entirely up to you.

Thanks for the reply formula 4speed this makes sense

The 300 2.8L is the best lens I have used. As stated above, it handles extenders well and is lighter and easier to handle than the 400 2.8, 500 f4 etc. This was my first L lens and none since have quite matched it, kind of set my expectations too high for the next L lens I bought.

Dante King wrote in post #2079038
300 2.8 is canon's fastest focusing production lens. period. Some say the 300 f/4 is its equal. This I cant quantify. 2.8 for me was a no brainer. If you add a TC or 2 its making even more sense. This is a crop.

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I take it thats your son..you even branded him with an L on his hand..getting outta hand with this L sickness