08-15-2024 08:00 PM
I'm looking to purchase one of these lenses as an upgrade to my kit 75-300 which is quite soft. Which of these has better image quality? I will also be using these for birds, and will probably finding myself cropping many pictures, even more so with the 55-250.
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08-15-2024 11:31 PM
If a lens was capable of taking good images and its condition remains good, it retains that capability.
Obviously, this lens is not available new any more, but if you can find one from are reputable dealer, such as KEH, which offer a warranty and rate the quality or condition of their gear, it should still serve you well.
08-15-2024 08:57 PM
I would encourage you to read the following article I published on the EF 70-300 range:
70-300 Canon Lenses In-Depth Analysis - Canon Community
As a wildlife photographer I would recommend the EF 70-300 for precisely the reasons you mention.
08-15-2024 10:23 PM
Thanks for the response.
How is the focus on this lens?
08-15-2024 10:53 PM - edited 08-15-2024 11:27 PM
The lens focuses well as per the examples in my review. If you are referring to speed, it is not as fast as the MkII variant, and much depends on how you configure the camera to do the focusing. Over the years I have found that the following is very effective:
Focus is set to single point centre focus. By default area focus will seek the closest point to focus on, which is not the eye of the subject, but may be a stone, twig or nose. Single point focus allows much more precision.
Focus is set to Back Button Focus on the AF-ON button with Servo Auto Focus: See this film from Canon on the benefits and setup of this configuration:
So, how does this work:
1. find the point on which to meter, put that on the centre of the image and lock with the * button
2. point the centre on the eye of the subject and lock with the AF-ON button- if the subject is still, just tap the button, if the subject is moving hold it down.
3. recompose and press the shutter button to take the photo.
If it seems complicated, that's because it takes so long to describe. With practice, this can take about a second. Here are some results using this method: all shots taken with the lens in question, hand-held, available light. I chose these because the images are contrasty and posed focusing challenges. The image of the carving, in particular, gives some clue as to the quality of resolution.
In this last image, there is a lot of contrast from light and the plumage, the bird is moving and the eye is well off centre but still sharp.
Finally, bird on the wing, this Black Back Gull was soaring quite fast.
08-19-2024 08:52 PM
Trevor,
In your example of the peacock, would you have metered off the gray of the sidewalk, the green of the grass, the blue of the bird's body, or the brown of the wall?
Steve Thomas
08-20-2024 04:58 AM - edited 08-20-2024 05:00 AM
Hi Steve!
Actually I would have metered the upper leg just before it meets the body. Better to be slightly over-exposed, as long as nothing blown out. I shot in RAW.
08-15-2024 11:31 PM
If a lens was capable of taking good images and its condition remains good, it retains that capability.
Obviously, this lens is not available new any more, but if you can find one from are reputable dealer, such as KEH, which offer a warranty and rate the quality or condition of their gear, it should still serve you well.
08-16-2024 12:12 AM
Thanks for the in-depth advice. I'll be picking one up soon.
08-16-2024 12:27 AM
I hope it works well for you! Good luck.
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