300mm F4L Worth it or opt for the 2.8?

[Zoinac]

I recently found a 300mm F4L for a whopping $599 Canadian.. it's used, but new they retail for $1799 Canadian.. (plus applicable taxes). Now, I pretend not to be a total sucker, but this seems like a good deal; the ones I saw in ebay seem to sell for about $800 Canadian, used.

My question is, should I opt for this lens; or should I ignore the lower price tag and save for a 2.8L? I already have the 75-300; though it's not L glass, I find it takes good pictures.. kinda wish I got the ultrasonic one though... But none the less, I do have a lens that covers the 300mm range.

I'd love to jump into the L series pool, it's a nice lense.. anyone who has it, are you happier with the performance, or would you go for a 2.8, or a zoom?

[ktixx]

Originally Posted by Zoinac

I recently found a 300mm F4L for a whopping $599 Canadian.. it's used, but new they retail for $1799 Canadian.. (plus applicable taxes). Now, I pretend not to be a total sucker, but this seems like a good deal; the ones I saw in ebay seem to sell for about $800 Canadian, used.

My question is, should I opt for this lense; or should I ignore the lower price tag and save for a 2.8L? I already have the 75-300; though it's not L glass, I find it takes good pictures.. kinda wish I got the ultrasonic one though... But none the less, I do have a lens that covers the 300mm range.

I'd love to jump into the L series pool, it's a nice lense.. anyone who has it, are you happyer with the performance, or would you go for a 2.8, or a zoom?

You really need to think about what you are going to use the lens for. I would say that the only reason a 300 f/2.8 would be needed would to be shooting inside a large gymnasium or a football field at night. If you think most of the time you will be using this lens in the daytime then I wouldn't worry that the lens is f/4. The real issue to contemplate is that you are getting an incredible lens for CAN$1100 less than retail, if you had to choose between the f/2.8 and the f/4 and there was a $100 price difference then I would defitely choose the faster, but in these circumstances I would without a doubt buy the f/4. As a final note, that deal really does sound too good to be true, I would make sure you intensly test the lens before purchase.
Ken

[TenD]

I assume this is the older 300 f/4. I own this lens and it's very sharp and not too much of a monster(it weighs less than my 80-200 f/4L). Bob Atkins says this lens is a little sharper than the f/4 IS wide open: http://bobatkins.photo.net/photograp...ews/300-4.html
In all accounts this is a very good lens, I like mine.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...three/Griz.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...three/crop.jpg
Not perfect, but not bad for handheld.