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70-200 2.8 non IS - 70-300 4-5.6 IS Same Price for...

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SeanGrey

SeanGrey

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Want to get one of these lenses

I shoot Showjumping (outdoor arena) mostly and it's usually sunny. Will also use the lens for everyday use and when I travel once a year or so.

Which one would you get? Perhaps someone owns both?

For the price I want good IQ, I also worry about the reach photographing horses in an outdoor arena from the side lines.

Thanks for the feedback
 
I had the 70-300 IS (non-L) and have rented the 70-200 2.8 with IS.

The 70-300 has pretty good image quality, but if you stop down the 70-200 to equivalent aperture it should give far superior images. The 70-300 isn't a very fast focuser, the 70-200 should be much quicker. But on a plus side, the 70-300 has IS, and is smaller and much lighter.

I wouldn't want to casually travel with the 70-200 2.8. It is quite heavy and large. But for photography, it is a much better lens. In my opinion, I would definitely get that one, especially if the prices are equal.
 
SystemAgnostic said:
I had the 70-300 IS (non-L) and have rented the 70-200 2.8 with IS.

The 70-300 has pretty good image quality, but if you stop down the 70-200 to equivalent aperture it should give far superior images. The 70-300 isn't a very fast focuser, the 70-200 should be much quicker. But on a plus side, the 70-300 has IS, and is smaller and much lighter.

I wouldn't want to casually travel with the 70-200 2.8. It is quite heavy and large. But for photography, it is a much better lens. In my opinion, I would definitely get that one, especially if the prices are equal.
Click to expand...
I agree with all of the above. Prices will never be equal, however. I got good deals on used copies of both lenses the OP mentions this past summer. $275 for the 70-300 and $736 for the 70-200.

While I've still got both lenses, the 70-200 with or without a 2XIII extender is what I choose unless I want small and light.
 
trulandphoto said:
SystemAgnostic said:
I had the 70-300 IS (non-L) and have rented the 70-200 2.8 with IS.

The 70-300 has pretty good image quality, but if you stop down the 70-200 to equivalent aperture it should give far superior images. The 70-300 isn't a very fast focuser, the 70-200 should be much quicker. But on a plus side, the 70-300 has IS, and is smaller and much lighter.

I wouldn't want to casually travel with the 70-200 2.8. It is quite heavy and large. But for photography, it is a much better lens. In my opinion, I would definitely get that one, especially if the prices are equal.
Click to expand...
I agree with all of the above. Prices will never be equal, however. I got good deals on used copies of both lenses the OP mentions this past summer. $275 for the 70-300 and $736 for the 70-200.

While I've still got both lenses, the 70-200 with or without a 2XIII extender is what I choose unless I want small and light.
Click to expand...
 
SeanGrey said:
trulandphoto said:
SystemAgnostic said:
I had the 70-300 IS (non-L) and have rented the 70-200 2.8 with IS.

The 70-300 has pretty good image quality, but if you stop down the 70-200 to equivalent aperture it should give far superior images. The 70-300 isn't a very fast focuser, the 70-200 should be much quicker. But on a plus side, the 70-300 has IS, and is smaller and much lighter.

I wouldn't want to casually travel with the 70-200 2.8. It is quite heavy and large. But for photography, it is a much better lens. In my opinion, I would definitely get that one, especially if the prices are equal.
Click to expand...
I agree with all of the above. Prices will never be equal, however. I got good deals on used copies of both lenses the OP mentions this past summer. $275 for the 70-300 and $736 for the 70-200.

While I've still got both lenses, the 70-200 with or without a 2XIII extender is what I choose unless I want small and light.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
trulandphoto said:
SeanGrey said:
trulandphoto said:
SystemAgnostic said:
I had the 70-300 IS (non-L) and have rented the 70-200 2.8 with IS.

The 70-300 has pretty good image quality, but if you stop down the 70-200 to equivalent aperture it should give far superior images. The 70-300 isn't a very fast focuser, the 70-200 should be much quicker. But on a plus side, the 70-300 has IS, and is smaller and much lighter.

I wouldn't want to casually travel with the 70-200 2.8. It is quite heavy and large. But for photography, it is a much better lens. In my opinion, I would definitely get that one, especially if the prices are equal.
Click to expand...
I agree with all of the above. Prices will never be equal, however. I got good deals on used copies of both lenses the OP mentions this past summer. $275 for the 70-300 and $736 for the 70-200.

While I've still got both lenses, the 70-200 with or without a 2XIII extender is what I choose unless I want small and light.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
IS is very useful. As you want length for showjumping the 300mm will be useful, f5.6 will be sufficient if it is reasonably bright. The 70-300 is also lighter so overall I think I would go for that in your shoes (unless you think you particularly need a 2.8 lens for some reason).
 
Since you clarified that it is the L version of the 70-300, that may change things. Unless you are looking for the shallow DOF f/2.8 can provide, I would personally probably go with the 70-300 for the all around convenience and excellence.
 
I just went to a show today and shot with my 55-250 lens. Finding that up against the side lines I get to 200 very easily. Worried about the 70-200 being too short although I hear amazing things about the lens. Thanks for all the advice. Maybe the 70-300 L or non L would be better. Do like investing in an L lens thats weather sealed, would suit a 7dmii or 70D better one day.
 
Woody W. said:
Since you clarified that it is the L version of the 70-300, that may change things. Unless you are looking for the shallow DOF f/2.8 can provide, I would personally probably go with the 70-300 for the all around convenience and excellence.
Click to expand...
 
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