Which lens would you choose and why?

[Kamal M]

I honestly cant decide which of these to buy......

Amazon.com: Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

Amazon.com: Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

ok the 70-300 has more reach and IS, but the other is faster at longer focals and its an L

this has been going on for a month now...please help.....please?

[thegrandpoohbah]

If image quality is important to you then go with the 70-200mm f/4L. By all accounts it is one of the sharpest lenses in Canon's line-up. If IS is something you need then save up a little longer and get the IS version.

[natek313]

I would go with the L lens. It will have better build quality, it is dust and water resistant, and, of course, the image quality will be better. I've heard over and over that the 70-300mm isn't all that great.

If you don't mind buying a second-hand lens (in good condition, obviously) from EBay, which is what I did, you can get the IS on the L lens and save yourself a nice chunk of change.

[Saralonde]

I have the Canon 70-200mmf/4 lens and it is wonderful. Sharp, professional grade build and a great value for the money. The fact that it is a fixed aperture can help make up the differnce of it not being IS. At 200mm it will be a full stop faster than the 70-300. Admitedly the 70-300 has more length, but it is a little weak in that area. I'd only get the 70-300 if you really feel you need that longer distance.

The 70-200 does come in an IS version if that is important to you, but of course the cost goes up.

[MatthewBotos]

70-200 f4L will give you better image quality, faster capture for sports, and more background blur for portraits. Used or new, it's the cheapest way to get your hands on Canon L glass.

[inkista]

I'll buck the trend. Personally, I'd go for the 70-300 IS USM, because I shoot long; I own a 400L and a 135L, and if I were going to splash out on L glass, I'd probably go for a 70-200 f/2.8, not one of the f/4s, superb as they are. I know 200mm often isn't long enough for me if I want to use a telephoto zoom, because I'm mostly going for wildlife and birds, not sports or family, and I'm not a particularly stealthy person.

What do you want to shoot with this telephoto zoom? If it's sports, you want the 70-200. If it's birds, it's probably the 100-400L. If it's your kids running around, then the 70-200 is going to have a better chance of achieving AF lock. If it's for travel, the 70-300 is much smaller and lighter. If it's for non-moving subject matter in lower light, the 70-300 has IS. If it's for street shooting, you're more likely to get noticed in a bad way and creep people out with a big white L, vs. a smaller black lens.

Both of these lenses are great. The feature tradeoff is almost even. So it comes down to what and how you're planning to shoot. You don't want the best lens. You want the best lens for you.

I'd also recommend you go to a store or rent and try out both lenses before buying, if you're that undecided.

[Kamal M]

Thanks for the advice everyone......it looks like im gonna go for the L!