New (ish) 300mm F4 IS

AJH748 · #1 (**permalink**) 18-01-2009, 11:22 PM

I bought a second hand 300mm F4 IS yesterday and these are my very first pics taken today.

I am really pleased with the lens. Just got to get my technique right now!

The lens itself is only about 2 years old but you would think it was brand new - not a single mark on it. Got it for £600 -

.

The image of the shoveller is a very hard crop.

Alan

JB9302 · #2 (**permalink**) 18-01-2009, 11:39 PM

You have put it to good use , well done , nice set .

ron1863 · #3 (**permalink**) 19-01-2009, 12:27 AM

Nice shots, it's great getting a new toy

Blackbrook Eye · #4 (**permalink**) 19-01-2009, 02:48 AM

I got mine a couple of weeks ago for a bit under the figure you have quoted but would have paid more if necessary, it is a superb lens, the first I have used with image stabilisation, and I am extremely happy with the performance it gives. I am pleasantly surprised with the results that I get with this lens in combination with a Sigma 1.4 converter and on the strength of this am now seriously considering getting a Canon 100-400mm zoom as a replacement for the Bigma which has been my mainstay for a couple of years and has given sterling service, as having done some trials I find that the 300mm with the 1.4 converter (420mm equivalent) gives to all intents and purposes the same magnification as the Bigma at 500mm with the half stop bonus on exposure and superior resolution when used at full apperture, if the !00-400mm gives a similar increase in overall performance then I considder the exchange a worthwhile step up, irrespective of the extra outlay.

Keith

Dae · #5 (**permalink**) 19-01-2009, 08:34 AM

Great work with this 300 lens! It's not an easy lens to get to grips with as sometimes I wish the 300 had that little bit more, but as a prime lens it's everything you could ever hope for. You've already got a brilliant start with it, great shots.

And Keith, as I'm sure many others who own and love the 100-400L will tell you that it's worth every penny you spend on it. Having no experience with the Bigma, I cannot compare, but I love the lens and would buy it again in a heartbeat. It's all the lens we'll ever need for years to come.

Ollie · #6 (**permalink**) 19-01-2009, 09:10 AM

Nice work Alan. Never used the 300mm F4 IS lens but It's definitely a great lens and as Keith mentioned it takes a 1.4 tc very well.

For first images these are pretty good and I'm sure you will not regret it.

Look forward to seeing more soon
Roger

Fourwings · #7 (**permalink**) 19-01-2009, 09:34 AM

Great work, as with all Canon prime lenses, the 300mm IS is top quality gear.

AJH748 · #8 (**permalink**) 19-01-2009, 12:03 PM

Thanks for the comments everyone.

I now need a new backpack as althought the one I have now (Loweprow Slingshot 200AW) fits the 70-300 IS the 300 prime is just too long for it!

NJP87 · #9 (**permalink**) 19-01-2009, 02:49 PM

Nice shots.

I have been looking for a nikon 300 F4.

SKM · #10 (**permalink**) 19-01-2009, 05:12 PM

Hi Alan

Excellent shots with your new lens. My wife and i both have the same lens and more often than not use it with the canon 1.4 converter - an excellent combo and you lose very little of the speed of focus.
I also have the 100-400 and find i use it very little now. The speed of focus just does not compare although it is useful when you need varying focal lengths. I also have the 70-200 f2.8 which again i use with the 1.4 converter giving me a 140-400 - that combo is not as fast as the 300f4 +1.4x but still faster then the 100-400 and IQ is better

Stan