opinions on this lens?

[slc33]

I'm currently using my 50mm 1.8 II for portrait photography,.however, i'm looking for a new zoom lens...my kit lens (18-55mm) just isn't that sharp....really leaning towards the canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS.....any opinions or experience with this lens?

 

[MLeeK]

Those lenses are kind of polar opposites. One is a long zoom, one is a wide zoom. So... what do you NEED? the 70-300 isn't going to be any sharper than the 18-55. They are both consumer grade lenses and are about equal in image quality.

 

[slc33]

Wanted a variety...and was actually thinking the 70-300 was sharper than the kit lens...all the reviews lead me to believe that.... I want a nice zoom lens that is also a great portrait lens. I do all my photography handheld. Was looking into the 70-200mm f/4 L, but can't afford the IS and not sure it would be my best bet handheld....

 

[slc33]

Are you mistaking the 70-300 for the 75-300? I know the 75-300 is not a quality image lens...

 

[Big Mike]

The 70-300mm IS, is said to be a much better lens than most of those 'cheap' 70(75)-300mm zooms.

It might be a decent options for hand held shooting. But keep in mind that IS only helps to prevent blur from camera shake. If you need sharp shots of subjects that might move, then you need fasts shutter speeds.

 

[slc33]

Was thinking it was..the price difference between the 75-300 ($149) and the 70-300($600) is quite a difference... Thanks! But for $100 more I can get the 70-200mm f/4L...only prob is I shoot handheld and am not sure if I will get too much camera shake with it..??

 

[MLeeK]

Are you mistaking the 70-300 for the 75-300? I know the 75-300 is not a quality image lens...

The 75-300 is going to be worse than your kit lens. The 70-300 IS falls right in where the kit lens falls in terms of being one of the better consumer lenses. No. I am not confusing them.

What kind of shutter speeds are you looking at hand held? That is the key to whether you will REALLY need IS or not.

 

[slc33]

Above 1/125...most all my photos are taken outside...

 

[MLeeK]

at 200mm you would need to be above 1/200 hand held if you are a normal, steady hand. Some teachers will teach twice the length of the lens which would mean 1/400.
I honestly RARELY use the IS feature on my lenses. I don't need it.

 

[slc33]

Ok..thank you!

 

[PapaMatt]

I'm currently using my 50mm 1.8 II for portrait photography,.however, i'm looking for a new zoom lens...my kit lens (18-55mm) just isn't that sharp....really leaning towards the canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS.....any opinions or experience with this lens?

Go with a 85 to 110mm fixed lens nothing less than 2.8

 

[PapaMatt]

Oh sorry you said zoom, a tokina 50-135 2.8 is Great

 

[slc33]

Thanks

 

[davisphotos]

Do you want a better lens to cover the wide angle range of your kit lens, or a more telephoto lens? Also, what is your budget? If you want to replace your kit lens, consider the Sigma 17-50 f2.8, or the canon 28mm f2.8, 35mm f2 or 85mm f1.8. You will find all these inexpensive primes are worlds better than your kit lens.

 

[slc33]

Yeah..I am using my 50mm 1.8 as my portrait lens now...so I wanted a zoom lens...that prime is good enough for now