whats the differance

[maverickphoto]

Whats thedifference in this 2 len's
canon 70-200 f4L IS telephoto lens
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Telephoto

 

[Big Mike]

Besides the fact that one is 70-200mm and the other is 70-300mm...

The 70-200 F4L IS, has a max aperture of F4 throughout the entire zoom range. The 70-300mm has a max aperture of F4 at 70mm but only a max of F5.6 at 300mm.

The 70-200mm is an 'L' lens. This is Canon's top of the line designation. It will have a very good build quality and top of the line glass. The image quality will be among the best you can get.

The 70-300mm IS, is not an 'L' lens. It said to be pretty good (much better than the 75-300 (non IS) ) but not 'top of the line'.

 

[ksmattfish]

Don't forget the price tag. That's the biggest difference.

 

[Big Mike]

Actually, the 70-200mm F4 (non IS) is only $50 more than the 70-300mm IS. ($600 & $549) The non IS version still gives you all the quality...just no IS.

Unfortunately, the IS version is a lot more expensive...at about $1000. At that point, you might as well go all the way and get the best one....the 70-200mm F2.8 L IS. That's what I did.

 

[TamiyaGuy]

The 70-300 will get you a little extra zoom in your photos, 1.5x. However, at 300mm, the 70-300's maximum aperture drops down to f/5.6, which, compared to f/4, required you to halve the shutter speed (all other things being equal). The 70-300 also has Image Stabilisation, so you'll be able to shoot at a slower shutter speed and keep camera shake out of the equation.

On other notes, the 70-200 is an "L" lens, the top of Canon's range. Because of this, the quality is VERY high, although the 70-300 is still very good. The 70-200 also comes with a lens hood (standard on all L lenses), whereas the 70-300 does not.