Lens options

[cordy]

Hi All,

I'm in the process of moving from Nikon to Canon (various reasons) and will be picking up either a 20D or 30D in the next few weeks. Being a Nikon person, I have very little idea about Canon lenses and was hoping that someone may have used some of the lenses I am looking at, and be able to provide me with some info regarding their usefullness (ooh thats a new word )

I need to choose one of these lenses. I shoot a lot of aviation and sport type stuff, so faster focusing is preferable. Obviously, reach is a bit of a concern, so I am wondering if the Canon teleconverters are ok? Would probably only really match a TC up with the 200mm lenses

EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM
EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Also, a consideration is the EF 300mm f/4.0L IS USM, however Im unsure as to how well this fits into my plans as of yet

Cheers,
Chris

[petal666]

If you are planning on using teleconverters then there is really only one choice of lens for you, also happens to be the first on your list and I'd say the most expensive. Also the 20D and 30D has a beefed up focus system that is only activated on f2.8 and faster lenses, so again there really in only one choice.

[DaveB]

I'm in the process of moving from Nikon to Canon (various reasons) and will be picking up either a 20D or 30D in the next few weeks.

Congratulations!

I need to choose one of these lenses.

Only one?

I shoot a lot of aviation and sport type stuff, so faster focusing is preferable.

If you shoot indoor sport (e.g. basketball) you'll probably want f/2.8, and not too much reach.

• EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
  A beautiful lens. The only f/2.8 in your line-up, and great quality. It is quite large and heavy though.
• EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM
  Very nice and sharp (and very light in comparison to the f/2.8 ). For me it's a bit of a "tweener" lens though: if it had IS it'd be a winner.
  Be aware that this lens does not come standard with a tripod foot (for some reason they made it an optional accessory). Personally I would be factoring the foot into the cost of the lens, but maybe that's just me.
• EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
  This has a few too many drawbacks for me to recommend it (e.g. not full-time manual focus override, slow focussing, front filter rotates during focussing, optical quality not quite up to the others, not TC-compatible).
• EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
  As big as the 70-200/2.8 (until the 100-400 extends though) this is a nice unit. It does have its own drawbacks though: f/5.6 means a darker viewfinder and slower focussing, push-pull zoom can turn it into a dust-pump (although in reality this hasn't been a problem for me). Depending on your subjects, 100mm may be too long for you sometimes.
  I've had one of these since 2000, but if/when Canon comes out with an f/4 version I'd be all over it.
• EF 300mm f/4.0L IS USM
  Like the 70-200/4, it's light, sharp, and with decent focus speed. Whether the fixed focal length will work for you is a personal decision.

Obviously, reach is a bit of a concern, so I am wondering if the Canon teleconverters are ok? Would probably only really match a TC up with the 200mm lenses

The 1.4x TC is great, and I'd have no hesitation using it with any of these (other than the 70-300). Note that you have to cover a pin to retain AF on the 100-400mm. The 2x TC does start to intrude on the quality, and will lose AF on the f/4 lenses with a 20D/30D.

Note that the IS on the 70-200/2.8 IS is "tripod-aware", whereas that on the older 300/4 and 100-400 can get confused on a solid tripod. I only find this an issue with long exposures, but it's worth mentioning.

[cordy]

Cheers guys, some pretty valuable info there. Think I am definitley heading down the 70-200/2.8 IS USM with a TC 1.4x - Although the 100-400 is real tempting as well.. Decisions Decisions

DaveB: yeah only one for the moment, need get the rest of the options passed by the minister for war and finance

[cordy]

Well I picked up my 20D on Thursday night, with the 18-55mm lens. Whilst not the greatest lens, it will suffice for the time being. Also picked up a 90-300 USM to fill the gap before I goto America and pick up the 70-200/2.8

[Big V]

Cordy do not understimate the 90-300, this was taken with it..