Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM vs Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

[AndyNJ]

Looking for something to use with my T1i. My main desire is to be able to capture some shots on the mountain of other snowboarders on the terrain park.

Which would be a better option? Does the quality and better build of the L make up for the lack of IS and being 100mm shorter?

I'm also open to other suggestions, but at the same price point.

[RichardTaylor]

My response to the same question a long time ago.
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(I have a 350D & 40D & now a 5D)
Here is my response from a previous thread:
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I have both lenses. The 70-200 F4L (Non IS) and the 70-300 IS.

The main differences in "quality"are, IMHO< (on a 350D (Rebel XT)).

(1) The 70-200 focuses faster.
(2) The 70-200 build quality feels better.
(3) The 70-200 is very sharp right from F4 where on the the 70-300 it needs to be stopped down a couple of stops for best IQ.

I am very happy with both lenses and both more than meet my needs for IQ (prints to A4 and web publishing)

The 70-300 sees most use as i like the extra length which comes in handy for motorsports and birding. It is also my long telephoto travel lens.
If I was doing it all again I would have purchased the 70-200 F2.8 L (Non IS) instead of the F4 version as the wider aperture would definitely come in more handy for night drag racing graduations etc.

Some test shots can be seen here: All apertures and different focal lengths for each lens.

I do not have a TC

Hope this helps.
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Here is yet another response in another thread.
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Compared to the 70-200 F4 L non IS.
(1) Do you need the extra 100mm?
(2) Can you live with the reduced IQ especially at wider apertures?
(3) Do want to pay for a lens hood?
(4) Do you want to buy a larger camera bag to carry the 70-200? It is longer
(5) do you want slower focussing?
(6) Can you live without the constant F4?
(7) Can you live without the the better build quality (feel)?
(8) If using a polariser does the rotating font element cause you problems?
(9) Re IS.... Can you hand hold at relatively low shutter speed ot do you want to always carry a tripod to use this lens in poor light at longer focal lengths?

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Also ask yourself is 300mm long enough for all wildlife.
I now have a 80-400 Tokina Conon 100-400 F4.5-F5.6 IS L and even that is not long enough for birding.

Also here is another very long thread.

photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=299499

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@AndyNJ
For your application, if 200mm is long enough, I would go with the 70-200 F4 L because;

(1) It focuses faster
(2) Has better IQ
(3) IS is not all that handy when shooting sports (al;though it does help with some panning shots)

[Scotch]

For your purposes, I'd definitely choose the 70-200 because:

1. Focuses faster, so better for action
2. Definitely sharper (renowned for this), specially when wide open
3. Less need for IS in action photography as most the time you'll be using a fast shutter speed to freeze the action
4. Lens doesn't rotate or extend when zooming or focusing, so more suitable for polarizing filter and no need to lock the zoom (as on the 70-300) when carrying the lens on your camera
5. Works well with 1.4x extender, so can add this if need extra length (takes you to 280mm at f/5.6)