Opinions on 70-300 f5-5.6 usm

Anyone have any opinions/experience on the 70-300 f/4.0-5.6IS USM? At the moment my kit consists of a rebel xsi with 24-105 f3.5-4.5 usm, and a 50mm f1.8 prime. I'd like to have something with a longer focal length. Use would mainly be for ski/other sport photography.

At the moment the 70-300is usm is available from Futureshop in Canada for $350, which seems like a fairly good deal.

Online reviews vary a fair bit for this lens, from some people saying it is a hidden L lens, to other very mediocre reviews. I would appreciate some opinions on the lens.

You can find a similar EF model on Amazon that has 70-300 f4/5.6 for under 200.

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Originally Posted by dropkneesteeze

You can find a similar EF model on Amazon that has 70-300 f4/5.6 for under 200.

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You're referring to the non-IS version... which is basically crap. The OP is asking about the IS version of the lens, which is much better.

I've had the lens before, and I wasn't a huge fan. It's awkward feeling on the camera, sort of like an elongated barrel. My copy had really bad zoom creep, too. That being said, it seemed to focus relatively fast and the images were sharp. $350 new is a great deal... most of them go for $350 used. I personally just didn't like it that much. Then again, I don't really have a need for anything over 100-150mm.

The other obvious option is the Canon 70-200mm f/4L, which would run $450-500 used. It's much, much faster, better built, sharper, and is constant aperture. If you're willing to sacrifice 100mm of long-distance focal length, it's probably worth the extra $100.

Great lens for the price, I would go ahead and purchase the L 70-200 f/4 if I had the extra dough kicking around but I do a lot of surfing photography and the extra 100mm helps out. I've owned the Sigma 120-400 f/4-5.6 and I would rather shoot with the Canon.

Not to promote my own bs but here are some examples:
http://vimeo.com/50161392
http://vimeo.com/50274655
(go to about 2:30 on each clip, all of the surfing shot with this lens)

http://icecoast.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/stanek1.jpg
http://icecoast.files.wordpress.com/...ionland677.jpg

edit: one more
http://icecoast.files.wordpress.com/...9warm2logo.jpg

Thanks for the advice. I ended up pulling the trigger on it.