Which lens is should I buy.

[MADphotography]

I currently have a Canon 7D right now. I need a telephoto because the longest focal length i have is 105mm
Things that the lens will be used for:

• Bird photography
• Walk around lens

Things that important to me

• Price is a big one
• Size i would like a more portable lens

• Image Quality
• Aperture currently all of my lens are f/ 4 or faster

 

[gigabellone]

I have no experience with longer lenses, but as far as i know "bird photography" and "walk around lens" can't be attributed to the same lens.
Among those you listed, the 70-300L seems to be the one, but i suggest you look into the 100-400L, which would be better for the purpose, IMHO.

 

[tron]

Hello, this is my subjective list regarding the requirements and lenses you mentioned:

• Bird photography: Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM
• Walk around lens: Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM

• Price is a big one: Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM
• Size i would like a more portable lens: Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM

• Image Quality: Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM, Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM
• Aperture currently all of my lens are f/ 4 or faster: Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM

 

[MADphotography]

I have no experience with longer lenses, but as far as i know "bird photography" and "walk around lens" can't be attributed to the same lens.
Among those you listed, the 70-300L seems to be the one, but i suggest you look into the 100-400L, which would be better for the purpose, IMHO.

Thanks for the help and by walk around I should have said a more versatile lens.

 

[yablonsky]

70-200 f4/L IS USM - light, great image quality and not too expensive, compared to the 2.8

 

[Sella174]

Not on your list, but you could probably get these two for the price of one of your "short-listed" lenses:
[list type=decimal]
[*]EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM - general purpose walk-around lens (although I prefer the non-IS version);
[*]EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM - birds (both kinds).
[/list]

 

[tron]

The selection "other" isn't very helpful. How about replacing it with 70-200 f/4L IS and 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS and asking users to update their selection? Unless of course you have ruled out these 2 lenses.

 

[Longexposure]

The 70-300L. It's sharp, lightweight and very portable. Plus you have an equivalent fov of about 480mm.
Alex

 

[Random Orbits]

I have no experience with longer lenses, but as far as i know "bird photography" and "walk around lens" can't be attributed to the same lens.
Among those you listed, the 70-300L seems to be the one, but i suggest you look into the 100-400L, which would be better for the purpose, IMHO.

+1. How much do you value weigth and range? If you plan on using it exclusively outdoors, then the 70-300L works well. Compact and well suited for travel (relatively light), but it will not get you close enough to birds. The Tamron 150-600 weighs 75% more than the 70-300L but gets to focal lengths that birders typically use.

 

[mackguyver]

70-200 f4/L IS USM - light, great image quality and not too expensive, compared to the 2.8

+1 on this and combined with a 1.4x extender, it makes for a helluva combo. I used this for years and was very happy with the lens.

 

[tron]

How about the following table with ranking (1: lowest, 5: highest) ?
Of course it is subjective and you are free to change the numbers.

Lens/Use	Bird Photography	Walk around	Price	Size	Image Quality	Aperture
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM	4​	4​	4​	4​	4​	3​
70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM	3​	3​	2​	2​	5​	5​
70-200mm f/4L IS USM	2​	3​	4​	5​	4​	4​
Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM	4​	1​	3​	3​	4​	4​
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 USM L IS	5​	2​	4​	3​	3​	3​

 

[zim]

Does anyone have practical experience of how the 70-300L and 7D AF work together?

Regards

 

[RustyTheGeek]

70-200 f4/L IS USM - light, great image quality and not too expensive, compared to the 2.8

+1 on this and combined with a 1.4x extender, it makes for a helluva combo. I used this for years and was very happy with the lens.

+1 on this suggestion. It's about what I was thinking too based on your desire for price.

OR - Get the 70-300L + the 1.4x extender which also makes a helluva combo. I do that myself sometimes for extra reach. (But don't forget you'll lose an extra stop with the extender.)

OR - Give up some quality and gain a lot of versatility with a Tamron 18-270MM F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD. Yeah, it's not an expensive Canon L lens but it's not a bad walk around lens if you're willing to accept the super-zoom compromises. Might be worth a try to rent.

Before you buy anything, just rent a few things on a weekend and work them all as much as you can.

 

[Rams_eos]

I have the 70-200 F4L IS and it is a wonderful walk around lens (on cropped). But I wished I would have more reach.
So I vote for 70-300L which is a great match for 7D.

 

[ClickIt_AC]

Does anyone have practical experience of how the 70-300L and 7D AF work together?

Regards

I use the 70-300 L as a walk around lens. It works very well with a kenko Pro 300 1.4x teleconverter. Here is a snap from my crop sensor holiday camera with the same senor IQ as my 7d(I did some extensive testing!) The picture was from a 70-300 with converter. The lens works fine on all formats although it does feel a little erm...'FAT'! It helps to balance it with a grip for sure on the rebels/Ti's. The IQ is slightly better without the converter. If you are close enough to minimise cropping and have good light then you don't need it obviously. Only matters on really large prints, again...obviously.

Good Luck!

 

[zim]

Does anyone have practical experience of how the 70-300L and 7D AF work together?

Regards

I use the 70-300 L as a walk around lens. It works very well with a kenko Pro 300 1.4x teleconverter. Here is a snap from my crop sensor holiday camera with the same senor IQ as my 7d(I did some extensive testing!) The picture was from a 70-300 with converter. The lens works fine on all formats although it does feel a little erm...'FAT'! It helps to balance it with a grip for sure on the rebels/Ti's. The IQ is slightly better without the converter. If you are close enough to minimise cropping and have good light then you don't need it obviously. Only matters on really large prints, again...obviously.

Good Luck!

Do you ever use this combo (without converter) in AI Servo mode? Its really how this lens performs with the 7Ds AF I'm curious about. I guess if that bird was running around at that point pretty darn good would be the answer!

Regards

 

[mwh1964]

Really enjoy the 70-300L. Such a great lens. Only get the 70-200L2 if you absolutely need f2.8.

 

[philmoz]

Does anyone have practical experience of how the 70-300L and 7D AF work together?

http://www.pbase.com/phil_a_mitchell/africa
http://www.pbase.com/phil_a_mitchell/berwick_show_2013
http://www.pbase.com/phil_a_mitchell/herveybay2013

Works very, very well.

Phil.

 

[ClickIt_AC]

Does anyone have practical experience of how the 70-300L and 7D AF work together?

Regards

I use the 70-300 L as a walk around lens. It works very well with a kenko Pro 300 1.4x teleconverter. Here is a snap from my crop sensor holiday camera with the same senor IQ as my 7d(I did some extensive testing!) The picture was from a 70-300 with converter. The lens works fine on all formats although it does feel a little erm...'FAT'! It helps to balance it with a grip for sure on the rebels/Ti's. The IQ is slightly better without the converter. If you are close enough to minimise cropping and have good light then you don't need it obviously. Only matters on really large prints, again...obviously.

Good Luck!

Do you ever use this combo (without converter) in AI Servo mode? Its really how this lens performs with the 7Ds AF I'm curious about. I guess if that bird was running around at that point pretty darn good would be the answer!

Regards

I use the lens in AI Servo for sports on the 7D with no problem. I do have some photos on photobox but am on a tablet and not near my computer now so cannot post a sample. Sorry Zim. :-\

 

[zim]

Thanks Phil and clickit, I'll enjoy checking out those links

Regards