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Telezoom good at 300mm? Fast/silent AF not required

Started 9 months ago | Discussions
demonboy
demonboy Regular Member • Posts: 391
Telezoom good at 300mm? Fast/silent AF not required

Hi,

I'm looking for a long telezoom that's good at the narrow end. This is for landscape, not sports or wildlife, so while reliable AF is required, it doesn't have to be particularly fast or quiet. Weight is not a major consideration but lighter is better, and I don't need anything particularly fast. Budget around £350-400.

I've been looking at the Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS IIUSM 70-300, but it's a little over my budget. There's the cheaper Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD. However the Tamron isn't supposed to be great at the 300mm end, and that's the end I'm more interested in.

What other 70-300 EF telezooms should I consider, assuming that fast AF and wide aperture are not top of my list? Should I look at earlier versions of the Canon 70-300? How much better does the second version perform optically?

Thanks in advance.

[Edit] I've just spotted the 100-300 5.6 L which seems to tick all my boxes. It's even a good performer with IR, my intended use.

Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 SSM II
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CameraCarl Veteran Member • Posts: 9,204
Re: Telezoom good at 300mm? Fast/silent AF not required

If I remember that lens it came out in the late 1980s.  I don't recall anything about its reputation but you can probably find something in the internet archives.  My go to lens in that focal length range is the 70-300mm IS L but it sells used for around $700.

demonboy
OP demonboy Regular Member • Posts: 391
Re: Telezoom good at 300mm? Fast/silent AF not required

CameraCarl wrote:

If I remember that lens it came out in the late 1980s. I don't recall anything about its reputation but you can probably find something in the internet archives. My go to lens in that focal length range is the 70-300mm IS L but it sells used for around $700.

I looked into it and it's supposed to be a great lens, age aside. Slow AF, but that's not an issue, but also good for infrared according to a couple of sources.

Back when I owned my Canon 5Dii I had the 70-200 f4 L, which I loved for wildlife. Fast and light with excellent results, I was tempted to buy this again but I just feel I need that extra 100mm for landscape. If this 100-300 doesn't work out I may still buy the 70-200 again, but from what I've read the 100-300 is supposed to be very good and ticks all the boxes. I've gone ahead and bought one!

John Crowe
John Crowe Veteran Member • Posts: 3,476
Re: Telezoom good at 300mm? Fast/silent AF not required
1

Good choice.  Have fun with it. I have nearly bought one a few times.  I remember when Canon blew them out in the early 00's for $249 USD.

 John Crowe's gear list:John Crowe's gear list
Canon EOS 5DS R Canon EF 70-200mm F4L USM Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 AF 1.4x Venus Laowa 12mm F2.8 Zero-D +15 more
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