topic Re: Please make recommendation for ~300mm lens ... And a general lens for a 70D in EF & RF Lenses

Please make recommendation for ~300mm lens ... And a general lens for a 70D

Maria — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 23:28:49 GMT

I have a new 24-70mm f2.8 and want something to compliment it for the longer distances. I'm thinking something between 250-400 would be good but not sure which one(s) are 'better'. This would mostly be used for indoor/stage shooting with some outdoor of kids plays, concerts or playing etc. maybe something in the 55-300 range?

I also have a new 70D (just took it out of the box) ;). So also looking for a recommendation on a USM to use with it for video - something mid range that would be good for most situations.

All input welcome!

Re: Please make recommendation for ~300mm lens ... And a general lens for a 70D

Maria — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 23:29:48 GMT

Should have mentioned that i have a Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 - i like the range but do not find it very sharp thus looking for something else ...

Wondering what folks recommend?

And also what the preference is betweeen the 70-200 f/4L vs the 70-300 f/4-5.6L??? I believe they are close in price.... is one sharper than the other? Are any of the other brands worth looking at in this range?

Oh and i had said "USM" but meant "STM" for video on the 70D - the super quiet ones good for video...

Re: Please make recommendation for ~300mm lens ... And a general lens for a 70D

cicopo — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 23:37:27 GMT

If you're thinking high quality zoom both the 70-200 L's and 70-300 L IS are worthy contenders. I haven't used the 70-300 but have read a lot of very good reviews praising it's AF speed & image quality. The one weak spot may be that it's not fast enough for some indoor stuff.

Re: Please make recommendation for ~300mm lens ... And a general lens for a 70D

Maria — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 23:52:24 GMT

Thanks for quick reply! Really appreciate it!

Will have the check the price locally for them and the weight - that is really my only concern - i can't lug around heavy lenses ;( wish i could but my neck and back won't allow it ;(

The faster the better 😉 and also why i'm open to other brands - to hopefully lower the cost.... can't afford another expensive one after the 24-70 f/2.8L !! 😉

Re: Please make recommendation for ~300mm lens ... And a general lens for a 70D

Maria — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 00:06:37 GMT

What about the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens? Doesn't get me to 300 but a lot cheaper! From what i read it is pretty sharp?? obviously not as nice as an L 😉

Re: Please make recommendation for ~300mm lens ... And a general lens for a 70D

cicopo — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 00:29:43 GMT

Can't comment on it from use but I've read both good & bad. From what I've read the only other serious contender may be the Tamron 70-300 VC.

Re: Please make recommendation for ~300mm lens ... And a general lens for a 70D

cicopo — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 00:36:27 GMT

I will warn you that there is a learning curve to shooting longer lenses, so as you pass 200 mm things need to be done more carefully re shutter speeds & keeping things steady, and with you using a crop body it's even more important to develop good technique.

Re: Please make recommendation for ~300mm lens ... And a general lens for a 70D

ebiggs1 — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 16:15:18 GMT

Maria this is a problem!....."... can't afford another expensive one after the 24-70 f/2.8L !!"

There is not going to be a huge assortment of lenses that come in the quality and sharpness of this lens. You got the best first, kido. Now, if you are going to put something with it just as good, it is going to cost large. And likely be heavy but the

24-70mm f2.8 is no featherweight! I rarely recommend a lens not in the Canon stable but, lately, I have come to see there are a few off-brand lenses that do come close to Canon performance at a much lower price.

My top choice right now, for you, is the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 EX DG OS HSM. It is around the same weight as your 24-70mm and is much less expensive. The best part is, it is very sharp.

I own this lens and can testify to it's superb performance. It is a best buy.

Re: Please make recommendation for ~300mm lens ... And a general lens for a 70D

ebiggs1 — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 16:18:23 GMT

Oh, BTW, that same lens is available in a crop sensor "DC" version as the 50-150mm f2.8 EX DC OS HSM.

But since you indicated you wanted a little more reach, 300mm, the 70-200mm version will yield an equivalent 320mm on your camera.

Re: Please make recommendation for ~300mm lens ... And a general lens for a 70D

Maria — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 23:59:00 GMT

You had warned me about that hadn't you? 😉 thanks for the cheaper suggestion - will check it out.

Speaking of 'sharp' I'm struggling with the 24-70 - pics are not sharp and not sure why ;( going to post as a seperate thread ... I'm sure it's me and not it! 😉

Re: Please make recommendation for ~300mm lens ... And a general lens for a 70D

ebiggs1 — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 00:29:40 GMT

"... pics are not sharp and not sure why ..."

You are talking the Canon 24-70mm f2.8 II L? This lens is scary sharp!

Re: Please make recommendation for ~300mm lens ... And a general lens for a 70D

Dun1 — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 15:37:03 GMT

If you goal is to shoot indoor stage events, the 70-200 mm 2.8 is a quality lens should give you the ability to take great sharp photos. If you budget is limited and you still yearn for a longer lens or true 300 mm, or beyond, you might take a look at the Canon 100-400 lens, it is a different lens from the 70-200 lens in that you slide to move from 100 to increase the zoom to the far end 400. The drawback of the 100-400 is the 4.5-5.6 lens so unless you increase the ISO setting up the scale getting quality images at full or close to zoom might be difficult.

You can also check at KEH, at www.keh.com, they are a large reputable seller of used equipment. I have purchased equipment from them and I have also sold used equipment to them with great results.

Re: Please make recommendation for ~300mm lens ... And a general lens for a 70D

Maria — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 16:18:18 GMT

Thank you for the responses!

Yes i was referring to the 24-70 f/2.8.... the images are not sharp ;( that is what i'm confused about.... but again likely me not the lens... i'll take some test shots later and post as a seperate thread. by that i mean that if i take a shot and then zoom in on it to see the detail (while still on camera) it's not sharp....

As far as the 100-400 goes i like the range!! will include it on my list to look at 😉

i have a cropped sensor camera so i believe the 70-200 would give me about 300 reach would it not since i think it is made for a full frame camera?

Re: Please make recommendation for ~300mm lens ... And a general lens for a 70D

Maria — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 17:08:56 GMT

just to add a twist to things i just found a post were someone is selling all their Canon gear and switching brands - they have a 70-200 f/2.8 L (doesnt say II so likely the first version?), also a 5d Mark ii ...

Wondering how much different in quality the original version of lens is vs the ii and if i should consider it? would it be comparible to the Sigma? I don't think this canon has IS???

also, is the 5d Mark ii worth looking at? I just purchased the 70d but only a few days ago so can return 😉 IF concensus is that the 5d Mark ii is a better camera??? My want is camera that takes great still shots and helps my lenses be sharp and good i low light.

Based on the input on the above, what is a good price for the lens? what about for the camera?

Re: Please make recommendation for ~300mm lens ... And a general lens for a 70D

ebiggs1 — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 23:31:17 GMT

A lot of these questions are related to how you want to use your equipment.

For me and my situation, I will always choose a 5D Mk II or Mk III over any xxD camera. For you, however, may not see the increased performance offered by these cameras. You must decide but, yes, I would take the 5D Mk II instead of a 70 D every time!

Both versions of the 70-200mm f2.8 L have IS.

The combo of the 24-70mm f2.8 and the 70-200mm f2.8 are as good as it gets. There just is no where else to go. You will have the very top of the lens making art in these choices. They have price tags to go along with their high status.

A 5D Mk III and the 24-70mm f2.8L II and the 70-200mm f2.8 L II is the dream outfit with few, if any, peers.

From what you have stated so far I would not consider the 100-400mm. Very heavy, not as sharp and not as fast although a little cheaper.

Re: Please make recommendation for ~300mm lens ... And a general lens for a 70D

Maria — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 18:04:25 GMT

how much different is the i from the ii?

when i google the lens there are some 70-200 L that do not list IS in the specs?

Re: Please make recommendation for ~300mm lens ... And a general lens for a 70D

cicopo — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 18:58:51 GMT

You are correct in the fact there is a 70-200 f2.8 which DOES NOT have IS & it's a bit lighter than the others.

Also note that 200 mm on a full frame body will seem much shorter than on a 1.6 crop body. There is a big difference in how deep you can crop the full frame image when compared to the crop body file.

Re: Please make recommendation for ~300mm lens ... And a general lens for a 70D

Dun1 — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 21:23:25 GMT

Maria,

If you still have the option to return a camera you might consider returning it and opting for a Canon 5D Mark ii, or Canon 5D Markiii both are full framed cameras. So your EF-S lenses will not couple with that body the 5 D bodies, or any of the 1Dxx bodies.

The 70-200 mm 2.8 is available in non IS, of course IS if you intend to hand hold your camera and body.

There are also several versions of the 70-200 2.8 lens. All the people that have and use the 70-200 2.8 mm IS version two state that is is sharper then the other versions.

You remarked that when you focused with the 24-70 mm lens the images were not sharp, you might consider using back button focus,

Here is a link to how to set back button focus on Canon.

http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2011/backbutton_af_article.shtml

You can not or should not attempt to use IS settings on any camera mounted on a tri-pod, or mono-pod it causes the camera to attempt to search focus.

If you continue to have focus problems, make sure you remove an filters on the lenses and then attempt to see if the filters might cause out of focus images also.

Re: Please make recommendation for ~300mm lens ... And a general lens for a 70D

ebiggs1 — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 03:37:45 GMT

"... how much different is the i from the ii?"

Night and day. And also between the Mk II and the Mk III.

It is highly desirable to keep your system balanced. That is no very high end on entry level stuff or vise versa.

There is little point buying a 1Dx and then putting a low quality "kit" lens on it. You get the idea, IMHO, as always.

In your case you have a upgraded body (70 D) and a top of the mark lens (24-70mm f2.8). This is good but your next choice should reflect the same ideology.

Re: Please make recommendation for ~300mm lens ... And a general lens for a 70D

cicopo — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 13:17:09 GMT

I may be wrong but I think the question relates to the Mk 1 or Mk 2 versions of the 70-200 & not the 5D's.