IS worth $271.05?

End Game · Sep 7, 2007

I'm buying a lens soon and I'm trying to decide whether or not I'm going to get an IS lens, and I'm hitting a huge roadblock. The same lens I want without the IS is $271.05 cheaper:shock:. Should I get the IS?

Here is the lens models and the two sites I'm comparing. I couldn't believe how low Adorama is, and yes I know the IS is out of stock but I'm willing to wait, and no Adorama doesn't have the one with IS. I wish it did, I'd probably wind up getting it

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

Sites, Respectively: http://www.digitaletc.com/item.php?ref=fr&productid=3659
http://www.adorama.com/CA75300AF2UR.html?sid=11892088302092573

table1349 · Sep 7, 2007

Keep in mind, the second link you posted went to a refurbished lens, not a new one. For me IS is a personal choice that needs to be made based on what you shoot and your abilities. I don't own and IS lens, but then I shoot a lot of sports or have a tripod on hand. I'm kinda old school, but it works just fine for me. You need to decide for your self if will help with what you shoot.

End Game · Sep 7, 2007

Good advice, and I'll prob wind up going without IS. And I know it's refurbished but I highly trust Adorama.

table1349 · Sep 7, 2007

Ok, just wanted to make sure you were aware that one was a refurb. That will lower the price. Good luck.

Chas · Sep 7, 2007

End Game said:
Good advice, and I'll prob wind up going without IS. And I know it's refurbished but I highly trust Adorama.

I'm glad to hear that. I just ordered my first IS lens (EF-S 17-85) from them and am awaiting delivery. As to the value of IS, it's worth a lot to me. When I travel I shoot urban scenes at night without flash a lot and it's going to make a big difference there. Also I'll be shooting out of the window of a light aircraft (see avator, taken with a P&S), which bumps around a bit sometimes. The new LCD preview feature on the 40D will help greatly in that context as well. It all depends on your mission ....

soylentgreen · Sep 7, 2007

I usually found that the IS version of Canon's lenses is quite handy. Especially for hand-held shots. On a faster lens, I would say choose the non-IS...but for a f/4.5-5.6 low-light may be more of a factor if you do not have a tripod handy. The 70-300 IS is alright. I found it really drains the battery quickly and the AF was slow and noisy. Older version of IS anyway. I ended returning mine and getting the EF 70-200 f/4 L. Sacrifice zoom, but more than made up for in build and image quality.