SPORTS ADVICE: 300f2.8 or MarkIII ?

I'm debating on a Mark III or a Canon 300 f2.8.
Would like to start shooting H.S baseball, football and youth soccer.
I currently shoot a lot of youth basketball and would like a faster
focus and better clarity at high ISO(who wouldn't).
My current gear is in my sig.
What would you guys do first?

Dave

Well, in my opinion a 300mm lens is a bit long for basketball, so if that is your focus I would say go with the mkIII (based on your other equipment).

Its understandable for the other sports, however, to have a 300mm lens. It produces some outstanding shots, and the benefits of the mkIII may not be as obvious (at least, in my opinion).

Can't really go wrong either way.

I had the same debate last fall. I decided both was the right choice. Given you have the best ISO ability and focus ability in an non 1D already I would go with the glass first. Of course the 300 is too much for basketaball and most small soccer fields (especially with a 1.6 crop)

Buy the glass....save for the 1D

FWIW: Since the 300 will be useful for football, soccer and baseball, it would be my first choice. You also might consider a non-IS which will save some $$$$. When the MKIII works it is a great camera but I personally am not convinced enough to give up my "N". With Photokina just around the corner I am waiting to see what Canon has to offer ( MK3N?). For field sports my 300 is my most used lens.

vetkrazy wrote in post #6054480
You also might consider a non-IS which will save some $$$$.

just a heads up, canon will not fix your 300 2.8 non IS lens anymore.
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my vote is for the lens. but wait til after photokina just to be safe. they might have something else u may want

300 2.8 IS lens first....not even close to a debate IMO.

Agree, 300mm f2.8 no questions asked.

Maybe I shoot on different soccer fields but I use my 500mm f4 IS all the time on 1dmk2. 400mm would be ideal, IMHO. 300mm is less for soccer.

I'd get a used 1d Mark II and a used 300 f/2.8 IS. The Mark II will destroy your 40d and you save big bucks on the 300 f/2.8 IS.

This costs less than buying either the Mark III or the 300 f/2.8 IS new... and you get both a better body and lens.

Agree with Chris above. Buy used, it will save you money. And you can always sell for almost the same price you paid, atleast for lenses not for camera bodies.