Used 300 2.8 L IS Mk I

[jasonsim]

Loving my 300 f//2.8L IS II. It is so light weight and short compared to the bigger great whites. And it works well as a 600mm f/5.6L:

I did also have the 300mm f/2.8L IS v1 and did enjoy that one too...just it did not take the 2x extender very well.

Congratulations on your new lens! You will love it!

Kind regards,
Jason

 

[bdunbar79]

Great shots...............but he's talking about the version I.

 

[can0nfan2379]

Yeah I read that when I was researching the mark I (about it not taking the 2x teleconverter that well).

I have a 1.4x II already that I intend to use on the 300. I have read that the 2x III performs better on the 300 2.8L IS MkI than the older 2x converter so I may look into that as a temporary stop gap until I can afford a used 500 or 600 Mk I.

 

[tron]

The slightly older US date code that was in impeccable condition. ;D

I too thinking about 400 f2.8 IS version I. Would be nice to have version II, but the price tag is little too high for me.

Keep in mind that the 400 2.8 version I is VERY heavy!

 

[Dylan777]

The slightly older US date code that was in impeccable condition. ;D

I too thinking about 400 f2.8 IS version I. Would be nice to have version II, but the price tag is little too high for me.

Keep in mind that the 400 2.8 version I is VERY heavy!

Well, I don't have anything longer than 200mm at this time. If I'm going for mrk II, I'm looking at end 2014 or early 2015 here :

 

[Dylan777]

Loving my 300 f//2.8L IS II. It is so light weight and short compared to the bigger great whites. And it works well as a 600mm f/5.6L:

I did also have the 300mm f/2.8L IS v1 and did enjoy that one too...just it did not take the 2x extender very well.

Congratulations on your new lens! You will love it!

Kind regards,
Jason

Jason,
How is AF on 300mm version II with x2 TC III? You have any photos with this combo? I'm currently shooting with 5D III.

Thanks
Dylan

 

[jasonsim]

Hi Dylan. I will look to see, if I have any examples of the AF on a moving subject. If I don't I would suspect that the AF is very good using the combo mentioned: 5d III + 300mm f/2.8 IS II + 2x III. I say this because my 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II + 2x III has no trouble with AF at 400mm. Here is an example of that combo on a 5D III:

400mm . 1/1600th . f/6.3 . ISO 400​

 

[GMCPhotographics]

The slightly older US date code that was in impeccable condition. ;D

I too thinking about 400 f2.8 IS version I. Would be nice to have version II, but the price tag is little too high for me.

I bought a S/H near mint 400 f2.8 L IS mkI last year, just before the mkII's were released. I figured that I won't loose money on it and if I need to I can upgrade to the mkII as and when. The 400L is everything people are saying....it's AF is fast and very accurate. It's jaw droppingly sharp....it's one of the few lenses which can be used with a 2x TC wide open. It's very versatile too, the ability to use TC's really expands the use of this lens. It becomes a 400/2.8 a 560/f4 or 800/5.6. The only problem with it is it's physical weight....it's REALLY heavy and cumbersome.
There are lighter ways to shoot wildlife!
If I had a clean slate and 10K to blow, I would buy the new 500IIL. It's SO light and easy to handle. I'd loose the f2.8 option but the rest of the package really makes up for it.

 

[Dylan777]

The slightly older US date code that was in impeccable condition. ;D

I too thinking about 400 f2.8 IS version I. Would be nice to have version II, but the price tag is little too high for me.

I bought a S/H near mint 400 f2.8 L IS mkI last year, just before the mkII's were released. I figured that I won't loose money on it and if I need to I can upgrade to the mkII as and when. The 400L is everything people are saying....it's AF is fast and very accurate. It's jaw droppingly sharp....it's one of the few lenses which can be used with a 2x TC wide open. It's very versatile too, the ability to use TC's really expands the use of this lens. It becomes a 400/2.8 a 560/f4 or 800/5.6. The only problem with it is it's physical weight....it's REALLY heavy and cumbersome.
There are lighter ways to shoot wildlife!
If I had a clean slate and 10K to blow, I would buy the new 500IIL. It's SO light and easy to handle. I'd loose the f2.8 option but the rest of the package really makes up for it.

Thanks GMCPhotographics for your feedback,

The reason I want f2.8 in telephoto lens, because my daughter is taking indoor swimming and ballet. Both activities are indoor, therefore, f4 or f5.6 might not be fast enough. My shutter speed usually some where 1/250 to 500ish.

I don't mind the weight of version I, since most likely shooting will be on tripod/monopod. The photo below was taken with 70-200 @ 200mm. I cropped nearly 60% through LR4. I'm not sure 300mm is long enough?, but it's nice to be able to shoot handheld

 

[Dylan777]

Hi Dylan. I will look to see, if I have any examples of the AF on a moving subject. If I don't I would suspect that the AF is very good using the combo mentioned: 5d III + 300mm f/2.8 IS II + 2x III. I say this because my 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II + 2x III has no trouble with AF at 400mm. Here is an example of that combo on a 5D III:

400mm . 1/1600th . f/6.3 . ISO 400​

Thanks Jason, that 300mm II lens looks REALLY good. At this moment, I do have enough $ for 300mm II. I'm not sure 300mm is long enough for my indoor shooting. My longest lens is 70-200mm and I feel I could use 400mm.

 

[jasonsim]

Dylan,

Here is a shot taken with the 300mm f/2.8L IS II + 2x III on a 1Dx. It shows some inflight action. I would say this combo is very usable.

If you already have the 70-200mm f/2.8L II, I would recommend getting a 2x III and try it out at 400mm. You will be surprised by it's performance. Faster than a 100-400mm and the IQ is better.

Regards,
Jason

 

[Dylan777]

Dylan,

Here is a shot taken with the 300mm f/2.8L IS II + 2x III on a 1Dx. It shows some inflight action. I would say this combo is very usable.

If you already have the 70-200mm f/2.8L II, I would recommend getting a 2x III and try it out at 400mm. You will be surprised by it's performance. Faster than a 100-400mm and the IQ is better.

Regards,
Jason

Wow...that is an amazing photo with x2 TC III Jason. Thanks for sharing. Will take your advise and try out x2 TC III on my 70-200. I heard nothing but "WOW & AMAZING & RAZOR SHARP & LIGHTING AF" about 300mm version II.

This could be my next lens

 

[jasonsim]

Dylan,

Here is a shot taken with the 300mm f/2.8L IS II + 2x III on a 1Dx. It shows some inflight action. I would say this combo is very usable.

If you already have the 70-200mm f/2.8L II, I would recommend getting a 2x III and try it out at 400mm. You will be surprised by it's performance. Faster than a 100-400mm and the IQ is better.

Regards,
Jason

Wow...that is an amazing photo with x2 TC III Jason. Thanks for sharing. Will take your advise and try out x2 TC III on my 70-200. I heard nothing but "WOW & AMAZING & RAZOR SHARP & LIGHTING AF" about 300mm version II.

This could be my next lens

Thanks Dylan. It is a really great lens and so is your 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II. Happy shooting!