Telephoto Decision
- This topic has 7 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated Mar 1, 2010 at 7:12 pm by
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I have to make up my mind soon and get my first good telephoto lens. I have the Canon Digital Rebel XTi with my principle lens being the Canon EFS 17-85
I dont think its much of an option Michael.
The 70-200 f4L will give you better images than the 70-300 IS. Better IQ, better build quality, faster focusing. There nothing that the 70-300 has that sets it above the 70-200 other than additional 100mm.
And you can get that by adding a 1.4 TC, and even though doing so will degrade IQ a bit, given the better optics to begin with I dont think you’ll see much difference between the two.
Also, unless you tape the pins, you wont be able to use a 2X tc so dont give that much weight/consideration.
Long story short imo, you will be much happier with the 70-200 F4 L and a 1.4TC than you will a 70-300 IS. Also, down the road if you ever purchase a 300mm or 400mm they will complement the 70-200 becoming another lens in the kit, where as if you opt for the 70-300 IS theres a good expectation you will want to upgrade and replace at some point.
While I am a Nikon guy and I can not speak for Canon directly, one issue is the effect on AF that a TC has on a camera.
I have the 70-300. It is alright for the money but it focuses sloooow. It really gets annoying, which is why I don’t use it anymore
www.mattjonesphotography.com
Thanks, John. I had pretty much decided on the 70-200 but the advice on the 1.4 vs. 2.0 converter is a revelation. Thanks again.
On the Rebel and the XXD bodies, you would completely lose AF using the 70-300 and the 1.4 TC, at least on the long end. Which if the 70-300 is anything like my 100-400, that means as soon as you zoom.
I have used both these lenses, and personally I reckon the 70-200 f4 is far and away the better lens…….and it works just fine with the 1.4 on it.
On the TC/AF issue.
On anything other than a 1D body, you will lose AF should your maximum aperture exceed f5.6. Hense f4 lenses with 1.4 TCs will retain AF, but f5.6 lenses wont. Adding a 2x TC reduces the max aperture of an f4 lens to f8.You can tape the pins or buy a non reporting TC as workarounds.
30D with the 400mm F5.6 and 1.4 Tamron non reporting TC. With a reporting 1.4 TC the body would see f.80 as max ap and would not AF
Normally I don’t advocate using TCs with zooms however in this case I would. Depsite the hit in IQ and focus speed when adding a 1.4 to the 70-200 f4 it’s still going to perform better (or atleast as good as) the 70-300 f5.6. Don’t get me wrong, the 70-300mm is a fine lens but its not a 70-200 f4 L.
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