Canon 300mm F2.8 L IS Versus Canon 300mm F2.8 L IS MK2

Gordyboy

Gordyboy

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Neil
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Has anyone got any experience of the image quality given by the new Canon Mk2 300mm F2.8 lens when compared against the Mk1 version?.

Canon state that the new lens is lighter, has improved optics and a new mode 3 for image stabilisation but I've not heard of anyones personnal experiences yet?.

the new lens is approx £2000 more than a second hand mk1 and I was wondering if the extra money is justified ?.

Thanks in advance for any info

Cheers

Neil
 
MKII is sharper, lighter, has better optics and IS mode 3 is brilliant. Is it worth £2K more?
Well, support for the MKI will eventually fade out and parts for it may become difficult to find. So, that alone needs to be part of your buying decision making. If you plan to own the lens for the long haul, the MKII is the way to go. Other wise and, if you don't need huge prints, go for the MKI. Still, the biggest deciding factor will more likely be how deep your pockets are...:)
 
I have had both. Someone stole my MK1 in may and Im shooting this weekend with the new MKII. Ill report back. However initial snap shots I can report the following:
MKII is sharper, lighter, has better optics and IS mode 3 is brilliant. On a practical note the price of MK1's second hand has gone up to about £3000-3500 at that price you might as well have a new one.

:D
 
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Thank you both for taking the time to reply. The lens will be used for low flying fast jet photography so I'm not sure how much use the new mode 3 will be for this type of work ?. I am planning on keeping it for a long time so maybe new is the way to go ?.

Anyone else got any views or experiences ?.

Cheers

Neil
 
Mode 3 engages IS only at the time of exposure. This makes tracking fast moving subjects much easier. When shooting fast birds or planes Mode 2 makes the subject jump all over the viewfinder as the IS tries to compensate for your erratic movements.
 
IGADIZ said:
Mode 3 engages IS only at the time of exposure. This makes tracking fast moving subjects much easier. When shooting fast birds or planes Mode 2 makes the subject jump all over the viewfinder as the IS tries to compensate for your erratic movements.
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Ah I See. As I normally shoot at 1/1250th would the IS Be of any use or does it only come into its own at shutter speeds around 1/125th ?.

Thanks again for the reply

Cheers

Neil
 
Good question...To be honest, I don't know how it works exactly. I do have it on mode 3 all the time and I am happy with my images.
 
Sourced my mint Mk1 for under 2.5k last year so looking nearer 3k difference to mk2, so no, nowhere near worth it for me
 
buckas said:
Sourced my mint Mk1 for under 2.5k last year so looking nearer 3k difference to mk2, so no, nowhere near worth it for me
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Thing is a nice Mk1 with all the bits is now worth £3500 - £3750 so the difference is less than you think.
 
I think I'd be lucky to find a mint mk1 for £3000 now, they seem to be going up in price!. It's still a lot extra for a mk 2 but it would be something I would be looking to keep for a long long time. Decisions decisions....
 
The (used) 500 f/4 L IS prices have skyrocketed as well... Sold mine las year for £4K people are asking £5K+ now...
I can't wait for the EF 600mm MKIII. Paid £11K for my MKII. I am hoping to sell it for £25K in 12 years time :rules: :lol:
 
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For 5k anyone can have my 500 f4 ��
 
It seems that mk1 300 f2.8's are going up in price slowly too.
Does anyone know how long after a lens is discontinued canon keep providing after sales & servicing for?. I did hear that they have stopped servicing some non IS versions once they were discontinued ?.
 
They stopped servicing them based on health and safety due to lead content in the glass.
 
ThePitwall said:
They stopped servicing them based on health and safety due to lead content in the glass.
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So presumably the 300 mk1 IS should continue to be serviceable for a number of years then ?, dependant on spare parts ?.
 
Gordyboy said:
So presumably the 300 mk1 IS should continue to be serviceable for a number of years then ?, dependant on spare parts ?.
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Canon usually service and repair their Lenses for 7 years after the stop selling them... however non Canon service centers such as your independant camera shops will still repair them if they have the relevant bits
 
Gordyboy said:
I think I'd be lucky to find a mint mk1 for £3000 now, they seem to be going up in price!. It's still a lot extra for a mk 2 but it would be something I would be looking to keep for a long long time. Decisions decisions....
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Aperture sold one for £2,490. Keep an eye on them and Park cameras.

ThePitwall said:
They stopped servicing them based on health and safety due to lead content in the glass.
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They stopped making lenses like the 200mm f/1.8 due to the lead waste from the grinding process, not the lead left in the glass.
 
I wouldn't be paying £1000 extra for paint chips, you could get a 400mm f/2.8 IS from Aperture for £3490 and spend a tenner on touch up paint. Definitely keep an eye on the big used dealers the 300 comes in quite regularly.
 
It looked a bit battered but optically it was absolutely spot on.

After playing with it and taking some test shots, I wouldn't be immediately put off one looking like that.
 
ThePitwall said:
I have had both. Someone stole my MK1 in may and Im shooting this weekend with the new MKII. Ill report back. However initial snap shots I can report the following:
MKII is sharper, lighter, has better optics and IS mode 3 is brilliant. On a practical note the price of MK1's second hand has gone up to about £3000-3500 at that price you might as well have a new one.

:D
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Any comments on how the mk2 performed today compared with your old mk1 ?.

Cheers

Neil
 
Well I'm bloody impressed! It feels lighter to hold but definitely focuses faster and is silent in use.
Here is a 100 % crop.....
RDSQBC-1009.jpg







oh and that was handheld with a 2X Extender III !!!!
 
Yep.. I know that feeling. I had one on loan from CPS and, although not on my radar for immediate purchase, I was so bloody impressed, I bought one the day after the loaner went back... Dam you Canon.. dam you to hell!!!
 
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