Camera Labs

Hi
I am not expert somebody can help me
I have CANON 550D
I want to know the difference difference of 2 lens 70-200 F/4 70-300 L
Witch is better
Thank your

70-200 f/4L lens: constant physical size when zooming. Constant maximum f/4 through zoom range. If you add a 1.4x extender you get a roughly 100-280mm f/5.6 lens. The f/4L without IS is not dust/water sealed, but the one with IS is.
70-300L lens: lens extends when zooming. Maximum aperture varies up to f/5.6 through the zoom range. Has dust/water sealing. In retracted position it is shorter than the 70-200 lenses.

Which is better depends on what your needs are. Personally I got a 70-300L myself as I do like having the longer zoom range directly available.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

I even got the 100-400mm L IS USM as it doesn't really cost more than the 70-300mm but you get more reach with the same light coming through. The only negative aspect is it's not weather sealed. So for the highest reach (wildlife, spotting, sports) this lens is good.

The 70-200mm F4 is a cool portrait lens and a usable (but not too long) tele lens. The IS version is very nice as it's weather sealed and, of course, stabilized. Nice for portraits, (indoor) sports, reports.

The 70-300mm is the newest lens of those and it has the strongest IS. So strong IS, weather sealing and nice zoom range are making the lens the best "allrounder" but the least "special one".

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

Love the creative thread title

I honestly can't think of any reason to buy the 70-300L because you're giving up a little image quality for reach over the 70-200, but you can have another 100mm still with 100-400 for almost an identical price. But to answer your question specifically, the difference is longer zoom on the 70-300 but with a variable aperture.

Its all personal decision, I personally don`t see the point in buying the 70-200L IS f4, the 70-300L covers that range and its f5 at at 200, one stop makes no difference practically at that point. Image quality wise its excellent, its fatter, shorter and heavier than the 70-200 f 4, its a good general purpose lens particular on a crop sensor.

If aperture is important and for low light action and portraits it is, you really need to look at 2.8 anyway.
It all depends on what you use it for, personally I like the flexibility of the 15-85 and the 70-300L, then I use a few prime lenses for anything else.

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Canon Powershot S95, Canon 7D, 15-85, Canon 85 1.8 USM, Sigma 30 1.4, 50mm 1.8, Canon 100 2.8L IS Macro, Canon 70-300L IS USM+Kenko 1.4 Pro 300DGX, Canon 430EX II and RS 4 Classic