Alternatives to L lenses?

stu mcc · 04-02-2008, 6:53 PM

Hi everyone,

When I bought my 400D it was always intended that I'd pretty soon add a couple of decent lenses, so the first one I got was the 28-135 IS which I've been pretty pleased with.

Now, the next one I thought of was a 70-200 L f4 IS but having seen it I really, really can't live with the off-white finish.

So it's a fairly simple question really , is there a Canon alternative or one from any of the other lens manufacturers at about the 700 quid mark which offers comparable quality but is black?

Cheers,

Stu.

RobDickinson · 04-02-2008, 7:01 PM

Canons 70-300IS is Pretty good and a close second to the f4L on IQ.

Sigmas 70-200 f2.8 is as good as the canon (almost...?) and is black.

But theres kits out there that camoflage the L's, not sure where from or what, or just stick some tape round it or something.

All canons longer L's are (off)white.

richard plumb · 04-02-2008, 7:32 PM

seconded on the canon 70-300is. Close to the IQ of the 70-200, 100mm more reach and half the price

It is a stop slower and slightly slower focussing but its a great lens. I've ummed and aahed (?!) about getting the 70-200 f4 LIS but never have.

Brammers · 04-02-2008, 9:19 PM

What do you want the lens for? I'm sure the 70-300 is a fine lens, but it's waaaaaaaay too slow for me to ever consider it - it doesn't fit my needs at all. Does it fit yours? When you bring up constant f4 lenses, it's possible that a 4.5-5.6 won't do the job.

Sigma's 70-200 2.8, 50-150 2.8 & 100-300/4, and Tamron's 70-200 2.8 may be of interest.

Biscuit761 · 05-02-2008, 12:23 AM

Friend of mine got a 70 - 200 L f4 from her insurance company as a replacement for a 42mm screw mount Helios lens I gave her after dropping it and an old Praktica SLR (also from me) - they gave her a top end Canon film camera as well to go with it

Have had a play and it is superb, just wont fit my Nikon

Bill

andy_fozzy · 05-02-2008, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard plumb

seconded on the canon 70-300is. Close to the IQ of the 70-200, 100mm more reach and half the price

It is a stop slower and slightly slower focussing but its a great lens. I've ummed and aahed (?!) about getting the 70-200 f4 LIS but never have.

I 3rd that about the 70-300 IS.
Is actually known on some websites as the 'hidden L lens'.

jonnypb · 05-02-2008, 1:08 PM

if i had around £700 to spend i'd go for the 70-300IS if you want a black finish which would leave you nearly £400 in your pocket or to spend on another lens

"So in terms of optical quality the EF 70-300mm IS can be almost described as a hidden Canon L lens"

stu mcc · 05-02-2008, 2:30 PM

Thanks for the thoughts all, bubble I reckon that's exactly what I'll do!

Cheers,

Stu.

Brammers · 05-02-2008, 2:34 PM

Hey Stu,

Just reassure me that you're aware of the limitations of an f5.6 lens before you buy

You did mention that you wanted comparable quality (I'm assuming image quality) - but choosing image quality is only half the battle of choosing a lens!

cedmondson · 05-02-2008, 3:17 PM

Brammers - you make a valid point but to label the 70-300IS as 'an f5.6 lens' is a bit misleading. At the short end the lens is f4 which is the same as the 'L' although admittedly by around 90mm it drops to f4.5. It doesn't fall to f5.6 until around 225-230mm which in any case exceeds the length of the 70-200 f4L. Indeed to acheive this length with the 70-200 requires a 1.4X extender which also turns the f4 into f5.6 (IYSWIM).

Brammers · 05-02-2008, 3:30 PM

That's a fair point.

I'm just worried about the OP spending money on something that he doesn't know much about - he's posted a thread asking for 'non-white L lenses' - in fact he's not even said that he wants a telephoto or a telephoto zoom.

He's not even said what he wants it for. Indoor portraits? Shooting a gig? Freezing movement at night? He'd be much better off with a Siggy 70-200 (or my favourite - a 135/2 - the Canon version is supposedly just as good as the Zeiss). Compact, light, high-quality stabilised long zoom - sure, good choice.

It pains me to see people reccomend lenses without knowing what the OP wants to do with them!

Radiohead · 05-02-2008, 4:45 PM

It worries me that lens colour is a criteria.

salubrious_k · 05-02-2008, 7:32 PM

I think the reason for the lens colour being white is so that the heat of the sun doesn't affect the optics on sunny days. I'd therefore assume this means that long lenses that are black are affected by the heat of the sun... something to bear in mind?

RobDickinson · 05-02-2008, 8:11 PM

One issue with the 70-300IS is the slow focusing in comparison.

Look at sigma's 100-300f4 HSM mebe.

richard plumb · 05-02-2008, 8:16 PM

paint it?

jonnypb · 05-02-2008, 8:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radiohead

It worries me that lens colour is a criteria.

True, it shouldn't be but the big white lens can draw unwanted attention at times.

homerdog · 05-02-2008, 9:12 PM

If you're pleased with the 28-135, then you'll be happy with the 70-300. But the 70-200 f4 IS might just be the sharpest of all Canon's zoom lenses, so sacrificing that for the sake of the colour is a big step to take.

If your mind is made up, then the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 is a good choice, if you don't mind the size.

As an alternative, have you considered the 200 f2.8L? It might be fixed focal length, but you've already got the 70-135 part covered with your other lens. Have a look at some user reviews here. Best of all, it's black!

Radiohead · 05-02-2008, 9:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubble502

True, it shouldn't be but the big white lens can draw unwanted attention at times.

It's pretty small though in reality.

Stick a lens coat on it maybe?

GaryK26 · 05-02-2008, 11:13 PM

Richard beat me to it, so may I suggest the colour? Dayglo pink!

Jaunty · 06-02-2008, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobDickinson

Look at sigma's 100-300f4 HSM mebe.

Great great lens! Pretty hefty but takes a fantastic shot

Jas H · 10-02-2008, 5:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stu mcc

Now, the next one I thought of was a 70-200 L f4 IS but having seen it I really, really can't live with the off-white finish.

One of the very sharpest and best zooms in the world.....and you're put off by the colour

I really suggest you think again. It's an awesome lens

I'd have bought one myself, if it weren't for the fact I needed more range - and went for a 100-400 L

stu mcc · 27-02-2008, 2:27 PM

Thanks for all your input chaps, it just comes down to personal preference that I don't want a whacking great white lens stuck on the front of my camera. After all plenty of people don't like a silver body, do they?

Anyway I' ve settled on the 70-300 IS for now and may get one or two prime L lenses later in the year if I need more reach ( shooting bit of wildlife, some sports, buildings so all outdoors).

Cheers all,

Stu.

bstonehouse · 27-02-2008, 4:52 PM

Has anyone got the canon 70-300 DO USM IS lens - I've seen a couple of these on Ebay (canon's refurb shop) but don't know much about it. It gets very mixed reviews. I've never seen it mentioned on this forum.

jonnypb · 27-02-2008, 5:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bstonehouse

Has anyone got the canon 70-300 DO USM IS lens - I've seen a couple of these on Ebay (canon's refurb shop) but don't know much about it. It gets very mixed reviews. I've never seen it mentioned on this forum.

quite a bit more expensive than the normal 70-300IS, but quite a bit smaller and more discreet

read a bit on dpreview that the normal 70-300IS has better sharpness straight out of the camera with no PP - how true that is I don't know