DEAL: Canon EF 70-200 f/4L USMs on Amazon for $546.47 New

[TaDa]

Wow that's cheap. They're selling for under $550 and that includes free shipping and no tax.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-70-200mm-Telephoto-Zoom-Cameras/dp/B000053HH5/ref=pd_bbs_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1202481093&sr=8-5

I am very tempted to return my 70-300 IS USM back to B&H, since it's still in the box, and buy this piece instead. I know I'd lose the IS, but from the reviews I've read, this glass is tack sharp.

Any advice on this decision would be greatly appreciated

[timnosenzo]

Nice price, this is a REALLY great lens. How often do you need the IS? Personally I think I would opt for the 70-200, it really is a sweet lens.

[TaDa]

I'm guessing that most of my distance shots will be indoors for the time being (New York Rangers games) and then outdoors in the summer. Only concern of giving up IS is the shakes indoors when the lighting is low (can't bring a tripod to my seats). Decisions decisions. Couple things I've read comparing the two is that each has its pros and cons. The 70-200 is a little sharper, but the 300 is 90% there, and a very decent piece of glass for a non-L series. And of course, the pros on the 300 are the extra 100mm and the IS.

[jgoetz4]

Wow that's cheap. They're selling for under $550 and that includes free shipping and no tax.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-70-200mm-Telephoto-Zoom-Cameras/dp/B000053HH5/ref=pd_bbs_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1202481093&sr=8-5

I am very tempted to return my 70-300 IS USM back to B&H, since it's still in the box, and buy this piece instead. I know I'd lose the IS, but from the reviews I've read, this glass is tack sharp.

Any advice on this decision would be greatly appreciated

It has been called a 'hidden' L lens many times :wink
Have a good afternoon :D
Jim...

[cmason]

It has been called a 'hidden' L lens many times :wink
Have a good afternoon :D
Jim...

'Hidden' L? It is an L, nothin hidden about it.

[brambo76]

I have 70-300 IS and I am generally happy about it. I considered 70-200 myself, but it really is a preference I think.

for me..
70-300:
pro: light, black, more reach, IS(no need for tripod - pretty amazing even at 300)
con:
less sturdy construction(sturdy enough for me... an amateur photog with occasional use for the lens)
less image quality(no personal experience, but I thought 70-300 was good enough and many say they are close enough)
slower focus(silent and fast enough for me, but 70-200 should be much faster)
slower lens from about 85mm and on - this is variable aperture lens.. it becomes 4.5 around 85mm and 5.0 around 135, 5.6 @300mm.If you need to stop action, 70-300 lens might not be for you. should be fine outdoors with plenty of light, but indoors... I don't know.

[jgoetz4]

'Hidden' L? It is an L, nothin hidden about it.

Good Evening,
Not the 70-200 F4. That is an L. The 70-300 IS has been called an 'hidden' L because of the U D element that is used. Go here for the full report:
http://www.photozone.de/Reviews/Canon%20EOS%20Lens%20Tests/45-canon-eos-aps-c/200-canon-ef-70-300mm-f4-56-usm-is-test-report--review
Have a good evening :D
Jim...

[TaDa]

Thanks Joel. That article really helped. Going to hold on to the 70-300 IS for now.