Canon 70-300 IS USM alternatives

topcatproduction

topcatproduction

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Hi people, I have just upgraded to a 40D and also upgrading from my 75-300. I think I would benefit from IS or a quicker lens (but anything around the 300mm length with under f/4 seems very expensive), and I was thinking of the Canon 70-300 IS USM.

I would rather not go with a huge white L lens (although I secretly love them!) to be more subtle and I can't afford them anyway, so the 100-400 is out of the question! As I already have a 300 I know I want the length so I'm not prepared to go with a 200 or 250.

Before I go and buy one for myself are there any other alternatives around the same price I should look at? I'd like fairly quick AF, IS is a bonus, and IQ (for my budget) is the main concern. A 500mm sigma is too big for my requirements- the length would be great but far too big to lug around and keep in the glovebox at car shows etc.

All input greatly appreciated.

Thanks, TC
 
I owned the 75-300. Sold it after a month for half the price I bought it and got me the 70-300 IS USM and the upgrade was fantastic, something I def DO NOT regret
 
I guess you have the Sigma 70-300 but tbh I can't see it being much of an upgrade from the 75-300. The only other option I can see is a 300 f/4 prime, but then that's a prime and a big white lens. However I got mine used for £400 last year (but they have probably gone up since).
 
The construction of the 75-300 isn't very good but I got some decent shots from it, though I'm looking foreward to having IS and the worst thing about the 75-300 was the slow AF and hunting.
 
For the price I don't think you can beat the 70-300 IS.
I have always used one on my 40D and am more than happy with it.
I also have a 300mm F4L IS but that is heavier and doesn't give you the range, even though it is obviously a better quality lens.

I would definitely go with the 70-300 IS and you can pick them up used - there is at least one for sale on this forum now.
 
P-Chan said:
canon not sigma
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Sorry?

The only real option to the Canon 75-300 and 70-300 IS is the Sigma 70-300. :)

EDIT: Ah yeah, see why you got confused. It should have read "I'm guessing you have [the option of] the Sigma 70-300"

Actually there is also a Canon 75-300 IS available used (the previous version of the 70-300 IS) however the IQ isn't as good as the 70-300 IS so no real point if you can afford the 70-300 IS.
 
If you can live without the 50mm on the long end, the Canon EF-S 55-250 IS is very good for the money. It's quite small and lightweight, and the quality seems to be pretty good to me. I've no experience of L glass to compare it to though.
 
jgs001 said:
If you can live without the 50mm on the long end, the Canon EF-S 55-250 IS is very good for the money. It's quite small and lightweight, and the quality seems to be pretty good to me. I've no experience of L glass to compare it to though.
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There's not a massive difference between 250mm and 300mm, hence why I'm looking into the 55-250 as an upgrade from my 75-300. I've also thought about the 70-200 F4, or the 18-200 IS...
 
when its a big gap zoom lens like 18-200 I have heard many times that they arent taht good
 
The 70-300 IS USM is a truly awesome lens :thumbs:

It's the best quality you'll get without going for an L series lens, I only sold mine to make room/money for a 70-200 f/2.8 and a 100-400!

Chris
 
Canon 70-300 IS is a brilliant lens. I wouldn't hesitate. Nothing else to touch it for anything like the money :thumbs:
 
As above :agree:, the 70-300 IS lens is a great improvement over the 75-300 models and in my view, def worth a purchase, esp if you know you want the 300mm length. :thumbs:
 
I love the 70-300IS, really a lot of bang for your buck.

Beyond this I'd look at the Sigma 100-300 f4 and then the Sigma 120-300... both are probably better than the 70-300IS but the price slopes upwards as does the weight, the short end starts to creep upwards (70-->100-->120) and neither have IS/OS/VR - assuming you are someone that believes you need it.

Other options are the Canon 100-400 (which personally I dislike) or start down the road of dumping zooms for a long prime (long primes are where it is at btw :D) with the Canon 300 f4, the Canon 400 5.6 (both still quite cheap compared to the others at a touch under 1k) and then the big boys 300 2.8, 400 2.8, 500 f4 and 600 f4 - but none of the big boys will see you with change from upwards of 3k-5k.... *ouch*
 
topcatproduction said:
Well I bought the 70-300 from the classifieds, cant wait!!!

Though I'm still feeling guilty, I really shouldn't have bought it yet :shake:
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Good choice, and those feelings of guilt will fade as soon as you start using it.
 
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