Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS vs. 70-200mm f/4L

(helix_rider) · (helix_rider) **Join Date: Mar 2003** 06-12-2006, 8:07 AM

To the Canon owners out there, I'm an amateur with $600 max to spend on a zoom lens and am trying to decide between the 2 listed in the subject. Both cost about $580, have good reviews on fredmiranda.com and I see pros/cons for each:

The 70-300 has image stabilization and of course an extra 100 mm.

The 70-200 in an L lens, and is f/4.

Any owners of these lenses out there with some wake feedback for me? I know it would be ideal to drop to f/2.8, but >$1000 isn't in the cards right now.

I'm open to other lenses, but these seem to fit my needs/price requirements.

(mcinvale) · (mcinvale) **Join Date: Apr 2006** 06-12-2006, 8:20 AM

I have the 70-200 f/4. It works rather well with my setup (17-40mm, 28-70mm) for the zoom end. In regards to wakeboarding, the 200mm zooms in almost perfectly to frame a rider without any extra space (depends on rider size & rope length).

I'd get get L glass, but I'm somewhat of a camera snob...

(antbug) · (antbug) **Join Date: Jul 2004** 06-12-2006, 8:40 AM

Loren ~ I don't have either, but I'm with Matt on this one. Get the 70-200 f4. The L glass is so amazing and I've heard nothing but GREAT things about this lens. I have the f2.8 version and I love it. It's pretty much the only lens I use for wakeboarding.

(richd) · (richd) **Join Date: Oct 2003** 06-12-2006, 9:38 AM

I have owned both. The new 70-300 has darn good IQ (as good as the 70-200 IMHO) and of course IS is great when you need it. The build of the 70-300 isn't the greatest though and it's known to have issues shooting portrait at 300mm due to a loose lens barrel.

If you're main interest is shooting wakeboarding then I would go with the 70-200. The 70-300 is a more versatle all around lens for travel etc. The 70-200 works well with a 1.4 TC (other then handholding it) while the 70-300 with a TC isn't that great. If the IQ wasn't so close between the two it would be a no brainer to get the 70-200.

(solo) · (solo) **Join Date: Oct 2001** 06-13-2006, 3:35 PM

I've shot with both the 70-200 f/4 and the 2.8 and have to say that the F/4 kicks butt!

(helix_rider) · (helix_rider) **Join Date: Mar 2003** 06-13-2006, 4:20 PM

Thanks for all the input guys. I ordered the 70-200 f/4 today :-)

There was no way I could go against 3 of Wakeworld's photo gurus (sorry Matt, haven't seen your work yet :-)

I'll post once I get some shots worthy of the lens.

(Walt) · (Walt) **Join Date: Jan 2003** 06-13-2006, 5:56 PM

Loren,
Your going to love the 70-200L.

(mattyboyr6) · (mattyboyr6) **Join Date: Jul 2003** 06-13-2006, 10:15 PM

I have both the 70-200f/4 and the 2.8 and leave the f4 on almost exclusively. Mainly because I am not as strong as Ant Bug. But it is a great lens.

Hey Ant I heard you got a killer shot of Jeff on the DU. Mind sharing with me?

(antbug) · (antbug) **Join Date: Jul 2004** 06-14-2006, 9:03 AM

Jeff who? PM me and I'll see if I can hook you up.

(antbug) · (antbug) **Join Date: Jul 2004** 06-14-2006, 8:05 PM

Here is one that I can share and another cool pic I got that day.

Upload

(mattyboyr6) · (mattyboyr6) **Join Date: Jul 2003** 06-15-2006, 8:49 PM

Very cool. I got no lightning. Thanks for sharing that one. I know you've got better and those should rock.