Eos 30D w/ 75-300mm vs Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS ?

[Saluki]

The Eos 30D I purchased used came with an older 75-300mm lens. Reviews seem to rate the newer 70-300mm w/ IS as a much better lens. But how much better? Also, the 70-300 is full frame - would that work with my older 30D? 

[ebiggs1]

Since you indicated birds is your main most goal have you considered the Canon EF 400mm F5.6L USM prime lens?

It is a super tele of a more closely related time period to your 30D. It is a unique and fantastic lens. Light so it is easy to handle and very sharp as most prime lenses tend to be. They made thousands upon thousands so it is a good candidate on the used market if price is a top factor.

[FloridaDrafter]

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@Saluki wrote:

"Looking to improve sharpness over my 75-300 for shooting birds and wildlife. Thus far it seems that the  EF 70-300 F4.0-5.6 IS II USM may be the way to go. Came across the EF 70-300 F/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM. Is this also a viable alternative?"

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When I first moved to DSLR, it was the 12MP Rebel XSi, which is a litlle more advanced than your 8MP 30D, which has the Digic II processor compared to the Digic III of the XSi, but still close enough for a comparison, IMO. I remember the big difference it made in my images when switching to the EF 70-300mm from the EF 75-300mm mark III. The EF 75-300 III was a big improvement over the EF 75-300 and 75-300 mark II, but I didn't see how bad they ALL were until I switched to the EF 70-300. So, IMO, you WILL se a difference if you just go to the EF 70-300. I only used the XSi for a couple of years before switching to the Rebel T4i and only used the EF 70-300mm with the T4i for a very short time, then moved to the EF 70-300mm L, which was a game changer for me. I actually had sharp images. I agree to steer clear of the "DO". My wife bought the 70-300mm mark II and used it on the T4i after I went to the EOS 7D mark II and the EOS 5D mark IV and moved to the EF 100-400mm L. She eventually moved to the Rebel T7i, then the EOS R6 and continued to use the EF 70-300mm mark II (with adapter on the R6) as she upgraded. My point is (finally) that the EF 70-300 mark II worked well with the newer cameras, so it's kind of an investment that will stay with you a while if you go with it and plan to move up the camera chain. No, it's not "L" quality, but still a fine lens. I bought "L" glass early on and that's all I use now, but my wife still uses the non L budget lenses. She now uses the RF 100-400mm on the R6, but the 70-300 II has a home on the T7i. We use all of our cameras and have them stationed at windows around the house, so we are never too far from one of them. BTW, we are bird photographers. I'm using the EOS R5 and the RF 100-500mm L, now that's a birding rig 🙂

Newton

[Tronhard]

Newton's comments are very apropos.  As I indicated in my reviews of Canon EF 70-300mm lenses HERE: any one of them is a vast improvement over the 75-300 range (all of them).  So, a lot depends on your budget and intentions. 

If you are staying with the camera you currently have and funds are tight, the MkI version of the 70-300 (a contemporary lens released in 2006) does a great job (do refer to my review and images), if you intend to upgrade to a better body in the future and if your budget allows, the MkII version (2014) is the way to go. Definitely avoid the DO model - it's expensive and not as good as any of the EF 70-300 versions. 

I still have all three EF 70-300 lenses and, piqued by this discussion, I actually shot with the MkI version today, on a Canon EOS 650D (Rebel T4i) (APS-C) body 18MP, circa 2012 - so, there you go! 
Downsized in Photoshop to meet site requirements.

Canon EOS 650D, EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM MkI: 263mm, f/9, 1/400sec, ISO-200

[Saluki]

Thanks - several have said the move up to the EF 70-300mm would be a noticeable improvement. I bought 30D and the 75-300 for about a bit over $100, and they both have been perfectly serviceable, and a big improvement over the SX60HS I'd been using for the past 6 years. Will look for a 70-300 lens.

[Saluki]

I'm looking into getting a Refurbished 70-300 thru the on-line Canon site. None available now, tho they had been listed for about $375. Checked the "wish list" but not sure what that will get me. There was no info on what checking an item as "wish list" would do. Do they let you know when one becomes available or what?