Camera Labs

I shoot action (track and field) and am probably going to be purchasing a 40D within the next few months. The 70-300 has 100mm more and IS, but the 70-200 L is much better focusing and optically. Both are about the same price. Which one would be better for action?

Hey runnerdude154,

first of all: welcome to the forums!

Your question in an interesting one. What is best for you, depends on whether you value the extra zoom or the faster AF. It also depends on whether you will be using a tripod or some other kind of support or not (IS is handy in that case).

Personally - and that's just me - I'd take the 70-300 for increased versatility. The speed of human beings is not so great that even a slightly slower AF can't keep up, I believe.

What difference there might be in image quality would not change my mind. The not-so-perfect image quality is still good.

However, it's almost a certainty that there will be others who feel the exact opposite.

The 40D is a great camera and I look forward to seeing some track&field shots sometime in the forums?

Cheers

Depends on how far away you are going to be, the extra 100mm could come in handy.

Or get a 1.4x canon fit extender if you find the 200mm is restricting you, but obviously extenders decrease optical quality and teh maximum aperture you can use.

I have the 70-300 F/4-5.6 IS and it is a good lens, although the build quality is no where near L or even higher end normal Canon lenses.

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Canon EOS 5DmkII + BG-E6 + Canon EOS 40D + BG-E2N + Canon EOS 33
Canon 17-40 F/4L USM + Canon 24-70 F/2.8L USM + Canon 28mm F/1.8 USM + Canon 70-200 F/2.8L USM IS + Canon 85mm F/1.8 USM
Canon Speedlite 580EX II + Canon Speedlite 540EZ + 2 x Nikon SB-80DX
Cactus V2s Wireless Trigger - 5 x Cactus V2s Wireless Reciever

MY FLICKR!

I'm just shooting high school so I will be able to get pretty close. I dont think I would miss the extra length a whole lot since I can get pretty close (even on the track at some meets), but I might miss the IS. IS in the 70-200 is about $500 more

I do really like the other features of the 70-200 like the constant f/4 and the ultra fast focus. I very much like the blurred background effect so I think I would want the f/4 aperture. But then again f/5.6 might be enough, and it does have IS and 100 more mm... you can prob see why I'm torn between the two.

Also, the 40D and either lens just about fills the budget, so I was thinking of buying the 50mm f/1.8, which runs for about $80. Is that wide enough on a cropped frame camera for indoor portraits, say at a party?

I would get the 70-300.
I like the versatility it gives, You could get quite a bit closer with that one...

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flickr
Canon 5D + 17-40 F4L + 50 F1.4 + 70-200 F2.8L
Velbon Sherpa 200R

heres a pic of the sunset view from my bedroom window.
Excuse low IQ- My current camera is a 5yr old Olympus compact (3.2 MP)
Took this shot from my bedroom window balanced on moving boxes
So im pretty excited to get a new camera
soo hard to get good pics out of this camera


criticism greatly accepted

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Eat. Sleep. Shoot (photos).

Optically the only drawback of the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM is that the front rotates during focussing which might be an issue if you want to use circular polarising or graduated filters. The drawback with the EF 70-200mm f/4L USM is, as you say, lack of IS but you get better build quality. Maybe using a monopod (or a tripod) would make this lens an option for your track events?

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

I think that a monopod would be a great idea for me. I like the idea of having a means of stabilizing the camera, without the hassle of the tripod. I tried a tripod once, and it was just too cumbersome and took too long to set up for an action event, especially during cross country season, where I will be moving around all over the place. One person that I know has a monopod and uses it a lot. Of course he can't handhold his lens (he has a 300mm IS prime). I think I'm leaning toward the 70-200 with a monopod, although it doesn't have a ring for attaching it to the lens.

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Eat. Sleep. Shoot (photos).

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I use a Canon Tripod Mount Ring A II (W) for my own 70-200mm lens rather than using the camera's tripod thread. However, bear in mind that, as far as I'm aware, there isn't even an option for a tripod ring on the 70-300 lens despite the fact that it isn't that much lighter. Even though it has IS there will be times when a tripod would still be needed with that lens.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

ok. I have the 70-300 IS USM...and I love it.

BUT.

my NEXT lens will be responsible for Cardi Dribble.

It will be an L.

It will be the 70-200. because I took the boys advice, and they said rent one...well, I couldn't rent one, but I convinced the photo shop owner that he should allow me to JUST put it on my camera, so I could LOOK thru it.
Felt good

must have it.

patti

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canon 7D, Mark iii 5D, ef 70-300 f/4-5.6, ef 28-135mm canon 100-400mm L IS 4.5, and a little 24-70 L f/2.8...

If you're shooting sports or any kind of fast action, then go for the 70-200mm (in any of its versions) over the 70-300mm. It's quicker at focusing and that'll make or break your shots more than having an extra 100mm in my view...

I voted to go for the 70-200, I don't think you will miss the extra 100mm I didn't when I PX my 70-300 DO lens for it, all I will say is see if you can could you afford the IS version.... I have used mine handheld at 200mm and every thing is near enough still.
Hey Bob see patti is still trying to bait us with the thought that she is going to get the f/2.8 version

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Roy
EOS 350D, 40D + BG-E2N, EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM, EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM, EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM, 430 EX Speedlite




My Fotopic

I'm still trying to figure out which cardi will be best for soaking up the dribble!

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

The thickest one

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Roy
EOS 350D, 40D + BG-E2N, EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM, EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM, EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM, 430 EX Speedlite




My Fotopic

Great! I think that when I'm ready to get the new camera I will go for that lens. I don't think I can afford the IS version though- it's about 500 USD more than the non-IS.

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Eat. Sleep. Shoot (photos).