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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Which Lens First? IS or non-IS
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 10/21/2004 03:46:21 PM · #1
I just got my Rebel, it's great!

But what lens should I buy first? I already have the 18 - 55 ESF, I'm looking for something with a little more power. My daughter plays softball and sometimes it's hard to see her WAAAY out there in outfield...

Canon EF 75 - 300MM F4-5.6 USM III - $175
//beachcamera.com/shop/Product.asp?Sku=CN75300USMIII
This is the one I'm considering most because it's really in my budget.

Canon EF 75 - 300MM IS - $429
//beachcamera.com/shop/Product.asp?Sku=CN75300USMIS
This one would bring my $100 rebel rebate to $230! I assume IS = Image Stabilization, right? How important is this? With a high ISO and shutter speed, does IS even matter?

Thanks for any advice. If I need to spend the $430 I will, I just don't want to waste it if it's not-needed.
 10/21/2004 03:52:24 PM · #2
Not a great expert on IS, but due to the fact that it has image stabilizing will mean you can shot in lower light and it will allow shots to be taken without a tripod, whereas other lens...non IS, will require tripod for same shots.

My humble opinion, for what it's worth.
 10/21/2004 03:59:20 PM · #3
IS ONLY helps with handholding and subjects that are stationary.

So if that describes enough of the shooting that you plan to do with this lens, go for it. If not, then spend the $$$ on something else. Like the 550EX flash, a tripod, bag, memory, filters.

In the right situations, IS is a wonderful thing.

10/21/2004 04:04:51 PM · #4
Just an FYI, the long end (beyond 200mm) of the 75-300 is pretty soft. So in addition to being a pretty slow lens, the softness will bother you after a while, especially after the first time you get a chance to use some really sharp glass.
 10/21/2004 04:08:40 PM · #5
If you shoot primarily at the 300mm side of the lens "way out there in the outfield", that is about 480mm with the crop factor taken into account, I'd advise to get the IS lens.
At 480mm your handheld stability shutterspeed is about 1/500s and perhaps a bit slower like 1/250s with good holding technique. You also want to keep the shutterspeed up if you are capturing action (do get blurred action as well, looks great sometimes).
It also makes the lens more useable indoors with low light.


10/21/2004 04:28:36 PM · #6
I had a bad experience once trying to buy from beachcamera.com. Both of those lenses are priced lower at B&H.
Canon EF 70-300 f4.0-5.6 with IS for $415 before rebate
Canon EF 70-300 f4.0-5.6 III for $160

Message edited by author 2004-10-22 10:37:39.
 10/21/2004 04:36:53 PM · #7
I think Azrifel makes a good point. I had the IS version and loved it with excellent results to my eye (agree it gets softer at the long end)until I got my hands on a 70-200 f/4L the difference was amazing and as the quality was so much better the 100mm difference was not really noticeable as you can crop more and keep a good sized image.

I'm already looking at a 1.4 converter to take the 70-200 up to 280 (35mm equiv of 448).

10/21/2004 04:55:24 PM · #8
I dont know anything about canon lenses, but if this is your first dSLR then you'll likely be amazed with either lens for a while. Eventually you'll want to upgrade to a f/2.8 down the road. If the cheaper model still has good reviews and it is within your current budget then go for that and expect to upgrade eventually. Of course you may never want or need to upgrade, but it's something to think about.
 10/21/2004 05:54:34 PM · #9
I have the non-IS 75-300 and my friend has the IS version. From using both, considering the IS in the 75-300 only compensates for 1 stop of light, I'd say it is very over priced. As has already been mentioned, with the glass quality you will likely outgrow the lens and replace it anyway, so personally I don't think spending the extra for IS would be worth it.
 10/21/2004 06:14:24 PM · #10
I had the non-IS lens for 1 month, then sold it and bought the IS version. Why? - I had one trip to shoot some images of seals from a boat, came back with zero useable images.

With the IS version I shot a huge amount of images from the back of a camel in Egypt, and everyone was pin sharp.

I'd go IS everytime if I could afford it, but I agree with the comments about the 70-200, but thats might just be out of reach of your budget.
 10/21/2004 06:35:00 PM · #11
The IS gives you about 2 extra stops, not just one. Though it depends on how steady you are in the first place. So, at 300 (480 with crop) your shutter speed should be around 1/500 without IS and could be at 1/125 with.

Example: 5ft away, full zoom, 1/125


10/21/2004 06:50:58 PM · #12
You might also consider Canon's 100-300mm ($260) which is better than the 75-300mm, but I would say go spend the extra $125 and buy that 70-200mm f/4.0 L lens, You won't regret it.
 10/21/2004 07:08:37 PM · #13
Heres an early shot from the 70-200 f/4L, it was taken under stress and yes, the Vultures target was my head!



None of the lenses you mentioned at the start are what I'd call 'cheap' but you definately get what you pay for when it comes to glass for your cam. For instance, some people knock the 18-55 kit lens but under the right conditions its pretty damm good and knocks spots of many/most prosumers at that length. Maybe get the non IS version for now, you'll get decent results and will very soon reach the limits of the lens and will no doubt upgrade.

since I purchased the 300D in June my arsenal (now) consists of...

18-55 kit lens
17-40 f/4L
28-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
50mm F/1.8 MK1
70-200 F/4L
500mm f/8 Mirror

And the lens most often on the cam is the 50mm f/1.8 MK1 - the cheapest lens I purchased - go figure!
 10/21/2004 07:42:38 PM · #14
I have been using my 70-200mm to take crew pics at the river, and it's not enough, and it's heavy and big. I had to buy a new bag to hold it. A good polarizer for it is $60-100; I paid $40 or so for the UV filter.

So I have a novel suggestion for you--one that I am going to follow for a big zoom that I can carry. Rather than buy a bad 300mm F4 or F5.6 lens without IS for $400, go out and buy a second camera--a Panasonic Lumix FZ20, you'll have a 420mm F2.8 constant aperture lens with IS for around $500. And you won't need a tripod, new camera bag, and workouts at the gym to carry it.

I am still on target to buy the FZ3, which has the same focal length andd IS, but it's only 3 mp (and the whole camera is smaller). And it's only $350.

Now this does leave you with shutter lag, and not up to Rebel picture quality, but for much less than the price of an equivalent SLR lens (remember, it's F2.8 constant aperture and has IS), you can have a second camera.

Just a thought.
 10/21/2004 07:51:04 PM · #15
wow, thanks guys. I think I'm going to go non-IS. All my shots are land-based with me standing still. Plus with the savings I can buy some photography books. Seriously, much of this talk is still over my head. Anyone for some light Cobol discussion?

(coolhar, thanks for the link)
 10/21/2004 07:51:55 PM · #16
Originally posted by tbdean:
wow, thanks guys. I think I'm going to go non-IS. All my shots are land-based with me standing still. Plus with the savings I can buy some photography books. Seriously, much of this talk is still over my head. Anyone for some light Cobol discussion?

(coolhar, thanks for the link)


Only if it's Object Oriented Cobol.
 10/21/2004 07:55:15 PM · #17
Originally posted by tbdean:
wow, thanks guys. I think I'm going to go non-IS. All my shots are land-based with me standing still. Plus with the savings I can buy some photography books. Seriously, much of this talk is still over my head. Anyone for some light Cobol discussion?

(coolhar, thanks for the link)


Anything but Cobol. Though this is a Picture site!

On second thought, anything but Cobol and Fortran.
 10/21/2004 08:29:00 PM · #18
Originally posted by nshapiro:
Originally posted by tbdean:
wow, thanks guys. I think I'm going to go non-IS. All my shots are land-based with me standing still. Plus with the savings I can buy some photography books. Seriously, much of this talk is still over my head. Anyone for some light Cobol discussion?

(coolhar, thanks for the link)


Anything but Cobol. Though this is a Picture site!

On second thought, anything but Cobol and Fortran.


Fortran 90 or Fortran 77?
 10/22/2004 12:37:36 AM · #19
Good choice tbdean. From a purist point of view the non-IS is a better place to start learning about exposure values on your DSLR.
 10/22/2004 09:03:26 AM · #20
Originally posted by tbdean:
wow, thanks guys. I think I'm going to go non-IS. All my shots are land-based with me standing still. Plus with the savings I can buy some photography books. Seriously, much of this talk is still over my head. Anyone for some light Cobol discussion?

(coolhar, thanks for the link)


If you are getting the non-IS, recomendation is to get a tri or perhaps a monopod. between your own two feet and a monopod you can make a stablizing triangle. Plus a monopod is lighter and easier to set up then a tripod.
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