70-300mm IS USM or 75-300mm USM?

[bigbun]

i would like to have a lens whereby i can take a scroll down the city..
mainly taking pics of pple doing their stuff...
occasionally closing up on the cigarette butts on the floor..

is 70-300mm a gd choice for the above?
i didn't do a thorough research,
but i did a few search in this forum,
n figured the 70-300mm range shld be quite a suitable lens for walk-walk-see-see shots.

i checked out the Canon lens list.
saw these 2 lens.

EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM
EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

the price difference is quite a lot eh?
will the IS make any big difference for a newbie like me?
or shld i just get the cheaper 75-300mm III to practise first?

[fWord]

The price difference is great not just because of the IS, but because there are quite a few years between both lenses. The 75-300mm is a lot older. The 70-300mm IS was released just last year.

This lens will provide a good amount of reach, but probably too long for street shooting. Because of it's size, I also don't believe that you'll get away with 'sniping' candids since your setup will probably turn a few heads. For street shooting, I'd still prefer to go with a standard zoom, such as the kit lens.

If you're new to this range and not sure if it is right for you, then try the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro first. It's quite inexpensive. Then if you decide that this is really the range you want and need, then upgrade to the 70-300mm IS (if you need the IS), 70-200mm f/4L (if you find quality of utmost importance), or save up and go straight for the 70-200mm f/2.8L (IS or non-IS).

[Isaiahfortythirtyone]

go for the sigma

[bigbun]

alright, i think i shld heed your advice and try out a sigma first.

looking at the list,

28-300mm F3.5-6.3 DG MACRO
APO 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG MACRO

what does APO means?
would the 28-300mm be a better buy? since i get more range for the extra $150?

[bigbun]

never mind,
i think the 70-300mm will be a much better choice..
after reading some horrendous reviews on the 28-300mm..

[Goldenstars08]

Don't just depend on reviews. Go to some Camera Shop to test out the quality of the lenses you want to buy with your DSLR. Go home blow up the pics on your PC to confirm.

I don't really trust the online reviews. I trust myself more....

[philliptan]

There's also something in btw the two lenses you chose...

75-300mm IS USM <- around $900 plus

I think it's a nice balance. Great lens with a good price.

[JediForce4ever]

Originally Posted by philliptan There's also something in btw the two lenses you chose... 75-300mm IS USM <- around $900 plus I think it's a nice balance. Great lens with a good price.

Yeah....he is enjoying it already.

[philliptan]

Of course lah... just bought a 2x TCon from Hazekang... AA comes around I'll have an effective focal length of 240-960mm!!!

[JediForce4ever]

Originally Posted by philliptan Of course lah... just bought a 2x TCon from Hazekang... AA comes around I'll have an effective focal length of 240-960mm!!!

Got AF?

[philliptan]

Yes...but no IS lah... No prob anyway... cos with panning, my IS also haywire. So I usually shoot the planes with IS off.

[jkmchua]

Quote: alright, i think i shld heed your advice and try out a sigma first. looking at the list, 28-300mm F3.5-6.3 DG MACRO APO 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG MACRO

I've just bought the APO 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG MACRO. Image quanlity is good and really a value for money lens. I get from MSC for S$320.

[philliptan]

[lycan]

Stick with the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM if the price is okay with you.

Great Lens!

Originally Posted by bigbun i would like to have a lens whereby i can take a scroll down the city.. mainly taking pics of pple doing their stuff... occasionally closing up on the cigarette butts on the floor.. is 70-300mm a gd choice for the above? i didn't do a thorough research, but i did a few search in this forum, n figured the 70-300mm range shld be quite a suitable lens for walk-walk-see-see shots. i checked out the Canon lens list. saw these 2 lens. EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM the price difference is quite a lot eh? will the IS make any big difference for a newbie like me? or shld i just get the cheaper 75-300mm III to practise first?

[jeryltan]

SAomeone selling a 75-300 is usm in b&s, go check it out..

Originally Posted by bigbun never mind, i think the 70-300mm will be a much better choice.. after reading some horrendous reviews on the 28-300mm..

[user111]

i have 75-300 IS for sale. i am upgrading to 100-400L IS drop me a note if u are keen hehe!

[bigbun]

i've yet decided what lens to get,
but thanks all for the advice & offers.

[fWord]

Originally Posted by bigbun i've yet decided what lens to get, but thanks all for the advice & offers.

That's good. Take time to think it over...these toys are not cheap, and if out of control, the whole hobby can actually be very expensive.

[jeryltan]

I think the 70-300mm hardly qualifies as a walkabout.. You might want to consider the Tamron 24-135mm SP instead..At < $500, it's the best bang per buck

Originally Posted by bigbun i would like to have a lens whereby i can take a scroll down the city.. mainly taking pics of pple doing their stuff... occasionally closing up on the cigarette butts on the floor.. is 70-300mm a gd choice for the above? i didn't do a thorough research, but i did a few search in this forum, n figured the 70-300mm range shld be quite a suitable lens for walk-walk-see-see shots. i checked out the Canon lens list. saw these 2 lens. EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM the price difference is quite a lot eh? will the IS make any big difference for a newbie like me? or shld i just get the cheaper 75-300mm III to practise first?