Can't decide between these two lenses???

So I have an interest in doing some sports type photography. It would include outdoor football and indoor basketball. Also some motorsports stuff mixed in.

I am kind of budget limited on a lens. I have it narrowed down in my mind between the 70-200 f/4L or the 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS.

So do I pick the L series lens or the one with greater zoom and Image Stabilization?

Neither lens will be good indoors unless there is tremendous light source. I shoot indoors with a 135mm f/2 and a 85mm 1.8, both relatively "cheap" and great quality pics! Outdoors for motos, either lens is good. I tend to turn off my is on my 70-200 f/2.8L IS, because it really only helps with camera shake and not with motion blur. Invest in a good mono-pod, know your terrain, find a stable spot to get a few different angles and click away! Try to shoot in AV mode at the widest you can so that the camera will pick a faster speed(shutter) enabling you to stop the action. Hope this helps...Good Luck and good shooting!

Great info guys. Now when you mention using the 85mm lens could you put a Canon EF 2x extender on it to get close in? Would this be a viable option for indoor stuff?

43 North wrote in post #9418258
I have it narrowed down in my mind between the 70-200 f/4L or the 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS.

So do I pick the L series lens or the one with greater zoom and Image Stabilization?

I was in the same scenario a couple of years ago...

I had the 70-300 IS and thought I'd "upgrade" to the 70-200/4L non-IS... turned out I missed the 300mm more than I expected and the f/4 wasn't a huge improvement over the f/4-5.6 (both need good light).

The 70-300 IS was also black and <6"... more stealthy than the white L lenses and allowable in most sports arenas... for example, the 70-300 IS is allowed in Nationals Park (MLB), but the 70-200/4L isn't.

Anyways, I was never really thrilled with the 70-200/4L non-IS. So I sold it and bought a new 70-200/4L IS. Much better. Loved this lens. Probably just a sharper copy... IS doesn't really help you much at high shutter speeds.

So when I started taking more sports photos, I traded the 70-200/4L IS for 70-200/2.8L non-IS. Much better... I use the f/2.8 much more than I use the IS.

70-200/2.8L (1/1000", f/2.8, 200mm, ISO 3200)

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43 North wrote in post #9419456
Great info guys. Now when you mention using the 85mm lens could you put a Canon EF 2x extender on it to get close in? Would this be a viable option for indoor stuff?

No. Basketball/volleyball are fast moving sports...adding extenders slows the camera down to "unusable" speeds by narrowing the aperature by 2 stops. You sre better off with the fixed focal legnths or "prime" lenses like the 85mm or even the 135 f/2. It really depends on just how close you can ge to the action. from the baseline/sidelines, the aforementioned are GREAT, from the stands, your price range goes way up!!! 70-200L 2.8 (highest you want to go with aperature) lists for around $1700.00!!!

I edited my post to include some examples and the order got mixed up

43 North wrote in post #9419456
Great info guys. Now when you mention using the 85mm lens could you put a Canon EF 2x extender on it to get close in? Would this be a viable option for indoor stuff?

The 2x TC takes away 2 stops, so f/4 lens becomes f/8.
The 1.4 TX takes 1 stop, so f/4 becomes f/5.6

On the 85/1.8, the 2x TC would give you 170mm f/3.5

The teleconverters also take away AF performance and picture quality, plus you have to factor in the cost.

A used 70-200/2.8 sells for $900-1000.
IIRC, Amazon sells it new for ~$1200.

43 North wrote in post #9419456
Great info guys. Now when you mention using the 85mm lens could you put a Canon EF 2x extender on it to get close in?

Sorry, the 1.4x or 2x won't work on an 85 f/1.8

Gatorboy wrote in post #9419535
Sorry, the 1.4x or 2x won't work on an 85 f/1.8

Yeah I was just reading about the extenders, I totally see why you don't want to use them.

I like the idea of the 85mm 1.8 based on cost factor and it would double as a great portrait lens.

Gatorboy wrote in post #9419535
Sorry, the 1.4x or 2x won't work on an 85 f/1.8

Well, there are a lot of combinations that work and a lot of permutations that don't work.

Depends on which TC you use, which lens you use, and which body you use.

I have a Tamron 2X TC and a Kenko 1.5X TC.
I just tried both with my 85/1.8 and it worked.

But this was on a 1D Mk III. The Rebels and 30D/40D/50D are even more finicky with TC. I don't know about the 7D with a TC.

But as noted above, I prefer the performance and PQ of any non-TC'd lens over a TC combo.

43 North wrote in post #9418258
I have it narrowed down in my mind between the 70-200 f/4L or the 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS.

The 70-300mm IS USM has turned out some good results.

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On a budget, I would say get the 85 for starters, and then get the 70-200 f/4. You're going to need that 1.8 if you're doing indoors sports--you'll just have to get used to the fixed focal length. Then you can get the 70-200 f/4. I shot with it when I was a sports photographer for our school newspaper and it worked great!

As a compromise though, you could always just get the 135L and have both a low aperture, good focal length, and a great portrait lens (plus it's definitely one of the sharpest lenses I have ever handled--I love it!)

clarence wrote in post #9419653
Well, there are a lot of combinations that work and a lot of permutations that don't work.

Depends on which TC you use, which lens you use, and which body you use.

I have a Tamron 2X TC and a Kenko 1.5X TC.
I just tried both with my 85/1.8 and it worked.

But this was on a 1D Mk III. The Rebels and 30D/40D/50D are even more finicky with TC. I don't know about the 7D with a TC.

The Canon 85 f/1.8 won't even attach to the Canon 1.4x.

Gatorboy wrote in post #9419860
The Canon 85 f/1.8 won't even attach to the Canon 1.4x.

OK.

As stated above, some combinations work; some don't.
The Kenko 1.5x TC and Tamron 2x TC work with my 85/1.8 and 1D3.

So here is what I am thinking..... winter sports are almost over so we are going to be getting into a lot of outdoor sports and motorcross with spring and summer. My thought is to get the 70-200L F/4 lense without the IS. I have a pretty good monopod and will use it during these events.

I will keep looking and make a decision for next fall/winter on a good indoor lens. You guys think this is a good way of thinking? Be honest by all means....

Sounds logical...I really don't think you can go wrong with the 85 1.8, which doubles as a great portrait lens also! If there is any lens your are on the fence about, try renting it from a reputable company like www.borrowlenses.com and put it thru its' paces at the events you are going to shoot at. good luck and good shooting

scott~