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02/01/2005 11:39:03 PM · #1 |
I have a chance to buy a Canon 300mm f4 L USM used and would like to hear the opinions of anyone who has used it. The one I'm talking about is the earlier non-IS version. It's discontinued. Anyone know a link to it's specs? How much did it cost new? How well does it work with 1.4x & 2.0x teleconverters? Is f4 fast enough for sports action type shots?
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02/01/2005 11:45:55 PM · #2 |
with good lighting, it will do fine with sports. You might have to bump the ISO some if the lighting is bad.
I, personally would rather have a 70-300 or so because of the extra range you get with it...but to each their own. I just don't think I'll shoot at exactly 300mm too often.
--
I don't know if the 20d has the 1.6 crop factor as the rebel, but that lens on my rebel would be comparable to a film 480mm -- that's quite a lens heh. with a 2x, that would be 960 -- I'd think that would reach far enough that you could take pictures of a football game from peanut heaven hehe.
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02/01/2005 11:46:15 PM · #3 |
Nevermind (ignore my post)....
Message edited by author 2005-02-01 23:51:13.
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02/02/2005 12:17:39 AM · #4 |
You might want to PM Beagleboy, I'm pretty sure he has one.
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02/02/2005 12:31:20 AM · #5 |
I've got that same lens. Picked it up for about $600 - wicked good deal, even with some dust internally, which hasn't affected it as far as I can tell. I also didn't get the mounting ring with it, which I do miss - it's rather unstable on a tripod or monopod with the 10d and battery grip. Mostly I've seen it for around $700-$800. I would recommend the 1.4x TC if you really need more reach, as the 2x is considerably softer. Either way, you're going to get a softer, slower lens (both f/stop and focusing) with a TC.
I guess it all depends on what kind of action you want to capture. Works well for autosports and other sunlit sports. It's one very sharp lens, considered sharper than the newer IS version. The autofocus doesn't match the 2.8 version, though. It's good for cars, but not for high-speed motorcycle racing, for example.
The f/4 would really prevent it from being used effectively for most indoor sports, though 300mm is a little long for most of those, anyway (unless you're shooting from the stands). The high ISO would keep most indoor sports pretty noisy, though.
My 2c. |
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02/02/2005 12:42:43 AM · #6 |
I was thinking it would be at it's best for daylight football games. How much does it weigh?
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02/02/2005 03:21:07 AM · #7 |
I don't have the specs, but it's relatively lightweight for what it is.
It's probably comparable to the 70-200/4, definitely a lot lighter than the 70-200/2.8IS (but what isn't? :) )
Found this link - lots of info here, though focused on the IS version: //www.wlcastleman.com/equip/reviews/300mm/
Aha! Found specs: //www.photodo.com/prod/lens/detail/CaEF300_4LUSM-76.shtml
Message edited by author 2005-02-02 03:28:11. |
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02/02/2005 05:16:17 PM · #8 |
Thank you very much Chris. You have provided exactly the kind of info I was looking for.
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02/02/2005 05:22:53 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by animes2k:
I've got that same lens. |
I've been checking that baby out.
Do you have any pics Chris?
thx
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02/02/2005 06:34:08 PM · #10 |
pics taken with the lens? I'll see what I can dig up
i know this isn't quite a great example, but this was taken with the 300 (actually a composite of multiple images):
//www.noestudios.com/photo/astro/m42_new_composite.jpg
I'll find more and append this message...
here are some sports and nature shots, with and without the 1.4xTC - some seem to have some camera shake... non-stablized/no mount... *shrug* :)
(they're quite large, with 100% crops, most have had some sharpening done):
Bird w/1.4xTC (369k):
//www.noestudios.com/photo/3004/3004_01.jpg
Bird w/1.4xTC (356k):
//www.noestudios.com/photo/3004/3004_02.jpg
Car (no TC) (300k):
//www.noestudios.com/photo/3004/3004_03.jpg
Car (no TC) (383k):
//www.noestudios.com/photo/3004/3004_04.jpg
Cars (no TC) (372k):
//www.noestudios.com/photo/3004/3004_05.jpg
Message edited by author 2005-02-02 19:06:51. |
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02/05/2005 07:12:33 PM · #11 |
Thanks Chris
This was exactly what I was hoping for, esp with the birds. Very narrow DOF on the first bird, so it's a matter of getting the bird into that narrow gap. Good work.
/me starts saving
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02/17/2005 02:38:14 PM · #12 |
I just couldn't resist anymore and bought this today. Will go shooting birds over the weekend.
Wish me luck and send me a buck :)
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