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200mm vs 300mm zoom difference?

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Hornblower

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I tried searching, and I'm sure the second person to post will post a link to the thread I missed on the first page, but here goes...

I'm debating getting one of the 70-200mm Canon L lenses (either the F/4 or F/2.8), or the 70-300 IS lenses. What I really do not know though, is what is the difference in zoom between 200mm and 300mm? Is that extra 100mm in range dramatic? Any sample shots or diagrams out there, that show how much further 300mm goes then 200mm?

I will be starting to use this lens to photograph soccer, hockey, and multiple kids things over the years (two little boys are starting to grow up). I also want to use it for some portraits as well. I have a Tamon 28-75 f/2.8 that I really like, but its range isn't what I need all the time. I do love the f2.8 though, and am reluctant to get an IS lense that starts at f/4 and goes to f/5.6. But if the 300mm range is incredible, and will matter a lot shooting on the soccer field, I may go for it.

I'll be using a 20d at the moment, who knows in a few years ;-). Thanks.
 
I grabbed my camera and did a couple of quick comparisons for you. I apologize for the subject matter...nothing interesting to shoot around here on a day like today.









--
http://www.pbase.com/showell/galleries

God gave us an incredible world. See it, hear it, Touch it, taste it, smell it, PHOTOGRAPH IT!
 
Hornblower said:
I tried searching, and I'm sure the second person to post will post
a link to the thread I missed on the first page, but here goes...

I'm debating getting one of the 70-200mm Canon L lenses (either the
F/4 or F/2.8), or the 70-300 IS lenses. What I really do not know
though, is what is the difference in zoom between 200mm and 300mm?
Is that extra 100mm in range dramatic? Any sample shots or
diagrams out there, that show how much further 300mm goes then
200mm?

I will be starting to use this lens to photograph soccer, hockey,
and multiple kids things over the years (two little boys are
starting to grow up). I also want to use it for some portraits as
well. I have a Tamon 28-75 f/2.8 that I really like, but its range
isn't what I need all the time. I do love the f2.8 though, and am
reluctant to get an IS lense that starts at f/4 and goes to f/5.6.
But if the 300mm range is incredible, and will matter a lot
shooting on the soccer field, I may go for it.

I'll be using a 20d at the moment, who knows in a few years ;-).
Thanks.
Click to expand...
You get a 50% increase in linear dimensions, but this equates to a 225% increase in the number of pixels in the subject, which is a very healthy boost.
 
I have 70-300 IS and at 300mm zoom feels very good.

However, this is only one factor of the difference between these lenses.

Image Stabilization is perhaps the most important feature why people choose 70-300 IS over 70-200 4L. But in sport shots, IS has a very little value. Fast autofocus does help, and L-lenses are better in this respect.

So, overall I would say 70-200 2.8L would be your best choice.

You can crop the picture on a computer to simulate 300mm, but it will be much more difficult when you have motion blur or out-of-focus pictures.
 
I think in a soccer game, the difference between 200mm and 300mm might be the difference between seeing the child's face, and getting the expression on the child's face.
--
http://www.pbase.com/showell/galleries

God gave us an incredible world. See it, hear it, Touch it, taste it, smell it, PHOTOGRAPH IT!
 
Alex the Amateur said:
I have 70-300 IS and at 300mm zoom feels very good.

However, this is only one factor of the difference between these
lenses.
Image Stabilization is perhaps the most important feature why
people choose 70-300 IS over 70-200 4L. But in sport shots, IS has
a very little value. Fast autofocus does help, and L-lenses are
better in this respect.

So, overall I would say 70-200 2.8L would be your best choice.
Click to expand...
Agreed. Together with a very good 1.4TC to give you 280mm at f/3.5.

Stuart
--
- -

 
Right. I've read a lot of the arguments about the lenses, but had no appreciation for what the actual difference was on an image, between 200mm and 300mm. It is great to see them, and helps make a more informed decision.

Thanks.
Alex the Amateur said:
I have 70-300 IS and at 300mm zoom feels very good.

However, this is only one factor of the difference between these
lenses.
Image Stabilization is perhaps the most important feature why
people choose 70-300 IS over 70-200 4L. But in sport shots, IS has
a very little value. Fast autofocus does help, and L-lenses are
better in this respect.

So, overall I would say 70-200 2.8L would be your best choice.

You can crop the picture on a computer to simulate 300mm, but it
will be much more difficult when you have motion blur or
out-of-focus pictures.
Click to expand...
 
Sounds like you and I are in the same boat. I too have a Tamron 28-75. Great lens, but more reach would be nice at times. And I know exactly what you mean about being reluctant to get a lens that starts at f/4. Me too. But there's no way I'm goin' for the 70-200 f/2.8. It's just way too heavy FOR ME and my type of use. Not gonna happen. :-)
 
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