Canon 70-300 Lens choice

[Rteyp]

Hi

I am on the verge of buying a 70-300mm lens for my 7D, however which one ?

I want to use for sports and aircraft photography and at the moment considering a used
-Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Lens approx £450
or
- Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM Lens approx £250

Im happy to pay the extra if the there is a benefit ? I can see the DO is more compact, lighter and useable but is the the cheaper lens that heavy ?

Opinions on whats best appreciated - thanks

 

[darkman]

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/reviews/Canon-EF-70-300mm-f-4.5-5.6-DO-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

CHeck out reviews for more info. Looked at both myself but reviews suggested the cheper one was the better lens. STill havent decided which lenses I will go for but thinking of blowing more money on 100-400 L. STill have to convince myself though.

 

[Brachytron]

Not sure of your budget, but I think you will find that the new 70-300mm L lens will suit your 7D much better than the two lenses you quote. I have heard that the DO lens is soft at 300mm and its only real purpose is when you need a compact tele-zoom lens. The cheaper IS lens is OK, but no match for the 18MP sensor on the 7D and you may be disappointed. The new L lens has whisper quiet, fast and responsive AF, an excellent IS system and is more compact than you might expect. More importantly it is razor sharp throuighout its range and is weather sealed - see 100% crop on this posts
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=419401

 

[mjb123]

The tamron 70-300vc is supposed to be very good not as good as the canon L series but supposed to be better than the other contenders!!

 

[Rteyp]

Thanks all for prompt advice.

Yes the L Lens is an attractive option, no used ones around from what I see. Bit pricey new but I guess quality costs. Best place to buy in UK ?

I will also go look at the Tamron too. Going off the DO fast.

 

[Amp34]

Just to put a small cat amongst the pigeons, how about seeing if you can get a used 300 f/4L (non IS). Should be around your budget ish (about £400 last time I checked) and for what you want to use it for it's going to be a lot better (focussing speed is lightyears ahead of the consumer lenses and at 300mm the prime is going to shine - having owned the 75-300 IS, Nikon 70-300 and the 300 f/4), just need to decide if your sports photography needs a zoom.