Help me choose a telephoto lens.. Canon User..

[Soumendra]

Hi..
Im going to the US next month and would like to buy a telephoto lens for my canon 550D.

I have shortlisted few,
Canon 70-200mm f4 L USM.
Canon 70-200mm f2.8 L USM.
Canon 100-400mm f4-5.6 L USM.
Canon 70-300mm IS USM.

So, what should be a better buy ?

I mostly do wildlife and birding.

[RichardTaylor]

I own all three of these lenses
Canon 70-200mm f4 L USM.
Canon 100-400mm f4-5.6 L USM.
Canon 70-300mm IS USM.

For birding & wildlife the 70-200 is usually too short.
I usually use mine for events in good light.
It is an extremly good lens if F4 and 200mm meets your needs.

The Canon 70-300mm IS USM is a good, light, compact general purpose tele. It is my travel long zoom - If I am not primarily shooting wildlife.

The Canon 100-400mm f4-5.6 L USM. is my most used lens. Better IQ than the 70-300, fast focussing and has reach. I mostly use it for urban birding & motor racing, usually on mono pod..
Downsides are it is a bit big & heavy for a general purpose/walk around zoom and it needs good light (mainly because of the F5.6 maximum aperture)

[Soumendra]

Hi Richard, thats such a great reply. Thanks a lot.
Since, Im not a rich kid to own all of the 3 lenses like you, I would like to get one, which fits all of my needs, daily zoom, birds and sports, etc.

What would you suggest ?

I just have 2500$ budget and Im already buying 100mm f2.8 Macro L IS USM for 900$ from it.
So, just 1500$ left to spare .

[RichardTaylor]

If the weight is not a problem then I would choose the the 100-400 as it is a very versatile lens and I am very happy with mine.
The 100 F2.8 L macro will take care of some your lower light shooting needs.

See this thread.

Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens

[Soumendra]

Ok, it works good for sports , like fast actions , cricket, football, racing ?

has it got a good AF system , for fast focussing and for birds in flight ?

[gifarkas]

200mm is too short for birding, so you're probably better off with the 100-400. You can use it for sports shots too, but it's probably too slow for cloudy days or indoor sports (you need 2.8 for that).

[RichardTaylor]

@ Soumendra
+ 1 re 200mm for birds.

Re birds in flight.

You mean like this?

(1)


(2)


(3)


(4)


It is a great good light lens and ok for cloudy/rainy days if you are willing to shoot at high ISO . I can post some examples if you like.
For shooting in very low light I use fast primes (F2)

[Soumendra]

Normally, I dont go out in the nights or evening.
SO, for me, it will be always morning, under the daylight.

And for low light, I mostly try ong exposture shots, so for that I can use my 18-55mm Kit lens and 100mm f2.8 L IS USM.


So, shall I go for 100-400mm ?

You know any online store USA, who gives a better discount ?
Amazon , Adorama and BH are selling it for 1500$ with all lens cap, hood, bag, etc.

And here in India, its 2500$. Ha ha ha..
So, I have to get it from the USA.

[RichardTaylor]

I have never purchased any lenses on line from the USA.

[inkista]

lensrentals.com sells their used rental lenses. They have a number of 100-400Ls on sale right now. Most folks have said their grading is conservative, and if you aren't pleased with it, they'll take it back and refund your money. Adorama, B&H, and KEH.com are also good at grading their used gear. Prices are a little higher than you could find on eBay or the fredmiranda Buy & Sell board, but they also have solid return policies.

Finding an online retailer discount on new gear that's much lower than what Amazon/Adorama/B&H have is basically asking to get scammed.