What else should I consider vs EF-300mm f/4.0L IS

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

07/08/2010 04:55:59 AM · #1

The 300mm f/4.0 IS L is a sharp and seemingly nice lens..

I'm thinking about plunking down for one on Friday, anything else you would consider if you were me? I can not spend more than $1400..

I'm in love with the 70-200 f/2.8L IS II, but this looks like an economical way to get close to that quality...

I'm committed to getting IS on a longer lens, and it needs to be reasonably fast.

After researching this to death, I think it's going to have to be the 300 f/4 IS or the 70-200 f/4 IS -- Both are very nice - IS looks to be better on the 70-200, but I like the idea of an extra 100mm...

Decisions decisions...

Anybody care to influence me? :)

-Results:

I've purchased a 100-400L and a 15-85 EF-S - After much thought, it seemed these two pieces of glass can do just about everything, and do it reasonably well.

Thanks for all of the input, your input certainly helped to finalize my decision.

The new lenses arrive on Tuesday... You know you'll be seeing some stuff soon!

Message edited by author 2010-07-09 14:32:37.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

07/08/2010 09:06:02 AM · #2

I think you have a gear and gadget problem, but I think there is a 12 step program that can help you to overcome your addiction.

07/08/2010 11:50:06 AM · #3

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

I think you have a gear and gadget problem, but I think there is a 12 step program that can help you to overcome your addiction.

It's not a problem until I run out of cash! :)

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

07/08/2010 11:55:05 AM · #4

You probably need to tell us what you plan to use it for...

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

07/08/2010 11:58:00 AM · #5

Originally posted by coryboehne:

It's not a problem until I run out of cash! :)

You've clearly progressed past the "starving student" stage of your life.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

07/08/2010 12:06:36 PM · #6

Google "gearfaggotry" ;-)

I think you'd be well satisfied with the 300/4. It should take a 1.4x converter pretty well, and will still AF with same installed, a plus. The only alternative I'd recommend in the price range is the 400/5.6, but it lacks IS.
The 70-200/2.8 IS is a great lens, but totally a different focal length range. It will not handle a teleconverter as well as the 300/4, so don't look in that direction if you are wanting to get into the 300+mm range with excellent IQ.

07/08/2010 12:15:51 PM · #7

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

You probably need to tell us what you plan to use it for...

Hammer, why? L lenses are supposed to have excellent build quality! :)

07/08/2010 12:17:17 PM · #8

Ultimately I sold my 300mm f/4L because a prime doesn't suit my purposes as well. I constantly find myself near water and that often limits you "zooming with your feet". Working with a prime, therefore, was not optimal. What I gained in sharpness, I gave up by either having to crop or not getting the photo at all (because I was too close). I can only imagine that problem is going to magnify on a crop sensor. It probably makes it a better lens for birding (300mm never seemed quite enough on a FF), but you are even more going to find instances where you are too close.

BUT, that's my personal style of shooting and may not be yours. The lens IS very sharp and the IS was very nice. I used the 1.4x on it with good success.

07/08/2010 12:19:24 PM · #9

Originally posted by kirbic:

Excellent, and yes, the term crossed my mind as esprit d'escalier, I'm not sure about the TC, although I did check out the results and they do look good..

I think your post pretty much confirms what I've been thinking, the 200 just isn't long enough and the 400 doesn't have IS..(truly a shame...)..

07/08/2010 12:21:22 PM · #10

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

That does bring up a question about the IS... Indeed it only promises 2 stops of IS... Did you feel that was sufficient? Clearly, 4-stop IS would be amazing, but is 2-stop really enough with a 300mm?

07/08/2010 12:34:08 PM · #11

Originally posted by coryboehne:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Ultimately I sold my 300mm f/4L because a prime doesn't suit my purposes as well. I constantly find myself near water and that often limits you "zooming with your feet". Working with a prime, therefore, was not optimal. What I gained in sharpness, I gave up by either having to crop or not getting the photo at all (because I was too close). I can only imagine that problem is going to magnify on a crop sensor. It probably makes it a better lens for birding (300mm never seemed quite enough on a FF), but you are even more going to find instances where you are too close.

BUT, that's my personal style of shooting and may not be yours. The lens IS very sharp and the IS was very nice. I used the 1.4x on it with good success.

That does bring up a question about the IS... Indeed it only promises 2 stops of IS... Did you feel that was sufficient? Clearly, 4-stop IS would be amazing, but is 2-stop really enough with a 300mm?

That depends on you. Are you good at slow speeds or not?

1/40th:

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

07/08/2010 12:34:55 PM · #12

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by coryboehne:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Ultimately I sold my 300mm f/4L because a prime doesn't suit my purposes as well. I constantly find myself near water and that often limits you "zooming with your feet". Working with a prime, therefore, was not optimal. What I gained in sharpness, I gave up by either having to crop or not getting the photo at all (because I was too close). I can only imagine that problem is going to magnify on a crop sensor. It probably makes it a better lens for birding (300mm never seemed quite enough on a FF), but you are even more going to find instances where you are too close.

BUT, that's my personal style of shooting and may not be yours. The lens IS very sharp and the IS was very nice. I used the 1.4x on it with good success.

That does bring up a question about the IS... Indeed it only promises 2 stops of IS... Did you feel that was sufficient? Clearly, 4-stop IS would be amazing, but is 2-stop really enough with a 300mm?

That depends on you. Are you good at slow speeds or not?

1/40th:

Funny you should post that... It's one of the images that sold me on this lens... :)

Prash

Nikon D90

07/08/2010 12:49:48 PM · #13

Originally posted by coryboehne:

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
I think you have a gear and gadget problem, but I think there is a 12 step program that can help you to overcome your addiction.

It's not a problem until I run out of cash! :)

I help people with "Surplus Cash and Not Know What to Do with it" Syndrome.

My Paypal details on their way...;-)

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

07/08/2010 12:51:51 PM · #14

Originally posted by Prash:

Originally posted by coryboehne:

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
I think you have a gear and gadget problem, but I think there is a 12 step program that can help you to overcome your addiction.

It's not a problem until I run out of cash! :)

I help people with "Surplus Cash and Not Know What to Do with it" Syndrome.

My Paypal details on their way...;-)

Superb! I do appreciate all the help! ;P

Prash

Nikon D90

07/08/2010 12:54:54 PM · #15

Originally posted by coryboehne:

Originally posted by Prash:

Originally posted by coryboehne:

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
I think you have a gear and gadget problem, but I think there is a 12 step program that can help you to overcome your addiction.

It's not a problem until I run out of cash! :)

I help people with "Surplus Cash and Not Know What to Do with it" Syndrome.

My Paypal details on their way...;-)

Superb! I do appreciate all the help! ;P

My pleasure. So this thread is closed now that you found a good cause? ;-);-) (J/K...)

Magnumphotography

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 500mm f/4.0L IS USM

07/08/2010 01:03:36 PM · #16

I was in the dilemma over the 300 f 4is or the 400 f5.6. I ended up getting the 400. Comparing the two, I found the 400 sharp wide open. While the 300 needed to be down a stop, for optimum performance. For me, sharpness is super important. So I figured, if I have to stop down to 5.6 anyway, why not get an extra 100mm. Plus the focusing speed, is crazy fast. Helping with the ho hum focus speed, of the 5d. This really helps to track birds effectively. So if you want a birding lens, do consider it. I have no regrets, what so ever.

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

07/08/2010 01:33:40 PM · #17

200mm 2.8L with 1.4x converter

You essentially get 200/2.8 and a 280/4 that way ... but no IS

With extension tubes, the 200mm becomes a stunning macro lens.

At f2.8, it could be used indoors to shoot a concert or play

(if you are using it for birds, even a 300mm won't be long enough)

Message edited by author 2010-07-08 13:33:59.

07/08/2010 01:39:49 PM · #18

So, does the 100-400ISL perform as poorly as the ISO chart makes it look like?

I like the lens and the range, but the dust issue and the (comparatively) poor image quality worries me..

Compare sharpness of 300mm @ f/4 to 400mm at f/5.6 on crop sensor.

07/08/2010 01:39:50 PM · #19

Originally posted by Magnumphotography:

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

07/08/2010 02:00:11 PM · #20

The more I think about it, the more tempted I am to just drop the $$ on the 70-200 2.8 IS II...

In the end, I just want some amazing glass, I'll find the purpose, I just feel like getting something amazing.

So, I guess I'm just weighing whether or not the really amazing quality of the 70-200 2.8 IS II is worth the money, or if I should just get some "nice" L glass, a good prime with IS or something of that sort..

LOL- I'm all over the place on this one.. :)

Message edited by author 2010-07-08 14:14:29.

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

07/08/2010 02:48:24 PM · #21

Based on this statement, I think you are going to be disappointed no matter what you buy. You could give my mother a 1DIV and L glass and her pictures would still suck. And you could give kiwiness an iphone and he'd most likely make top 20 in a free study.

Decide what you enjoy photographing, then buy equipment to suit.

Originally posted by coryboehne:

In the end, I just want some amazing glass, I'll find the purpose, I just feel like getting something amazing.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

07/08/2010 03:01:41 PM · #22

Originally posted by coryboehne:

I just feel like getting something amazing.

You could get some amazing photos with a kit lens or a point & shoot. That would be amazingly amazing.

Message edited by author 2010-07-08 15:02:24.

07/08/2010 03:29:25 PM · #23

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Originally posted by coryboehne:
I just feel like getting something amazing.

You could get some amazing photos with a kit lens or a point & shoot. That would be amazingly amazing.

You both know I can operate a P&S just fine... It's more about the fact that I've just fallen in love with the quality of the 100 2.8 Macro and the characteristics of the better lens.

hopper, how ridiculous, I'm already happy with my 28-135 kit lens, arguably a decent piece of glass, and I love the 100 Macro. Why in the world would I be disappointed with another piece of even better glass?? That's just not going to happen, I'm even happy with my 500mm Opteka Manual f/8 lens.....

Effectively I've been waiting on a chunk of money that was owed to me, and I'd promised myself an exceptional lens and laser (originally much less laser that I did buy..)..

So, am I going to be disappointed? Heck no, no matter what I buy! I'm just in on a nice piece of glass, and while I don't want to spend the $$ for the 70-200 2.8 IS II, it is probably the most amazing lens, but the lower cost and longer reach of the 300 and 400 are tempting.. Yet, I continue to be drawn to the 70-200...

No worries though, I promise ;) I'll be fine with the lens no matter what it is, and due to the fact that I actively attempt to shoot new things all the time, I don't see how any choice would be a bad one...

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

07/08/2010 03:39:40 PM · #24

Originally posted by coryboehne:

Why in the world would I be disappointed with another piece of even better glass?

then i say go to B&H's website ... choose canon lenses ... sort by price (highest first) ... and buy the first lens you see that you can afford ... i guess you can't go wrong :)