Canon Lens - "normal" vs Image Stabilising

[Podie]

I'm just about to purchase a 70-300mm lens for the camera (Canon 300D) before going on holiday.

I was all set to buy the Canon EF Zoom Lens - 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III - USM (and a filter) brand new from Jessops in Southend (excellent service and advice there from Nina)... but a mate of mine is selling his Canon EF Zoom Lens - 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM - the Image Stabilising jobbie (his Canon got nicked and he has bought a Nikon).

So... question is... do I buy the "normal" lens... or the year old Image Stabilising jobbie..? Is the Image Stabilising worth it...?

Thoughts..?

[Podie]

Rude Girl said:

simpo two said: Podie said: his Canon got nicked and he has bought a Nikon). Sounds like the D70 Clud (Sabotage Wing) at work Well they didn't do a very good job then, did they Simpo? If they'd have had the lens nicked as well, it could have found its way back to Podie for a tenner!

a tenner, you say... go on then

[Podie]

Rude Girl said:

Well since I shoved it further off topic, I feel I ought to bring it back (Podie knows where I live).

It's OK lads... hold off the

[Podie]

Hmm... still torn as to what to do...

Seems that the IS function is a nice to have, rather than a need to have... question is, does it warrant the extra money...?


Bee Jay.. thanks for the post and the links... but some of the techno-speak stuff was a bit over my head... can I have it in "simple" please...?

[Podie]

Bee_Jay said:

Podie said: Hmm... still torn as to what to do... Seems that the IS function is a nice to have, rather than a need to have... question is, does it warrant the extra money...? Bee Jay.. thanks for the post and the links... but some of the techno-speak stuff was a bit over my head... can I have it in "simple" please...? How much extra money are we talking here?

Been offered the IS for £200...

[Podie]

Just been reading about the "DO" lens... wow! Looks cool, but a bit of overkill for an enthusiastic amateur...!!

V6GTO said:

I've got the 100-400L IS and believe me, the IS gets you shots you can't get otherwise. Martin

Think is Martin... how do I put this..? You're a bit good at this photo malarky... I'm just trying to move up from taking snaps to taking pictures...

Realistically I'll be taking photos of cars (moving and stationary), scenery, the odd bit of wildlife, and probably trying to catch people unaware (which I like doing!).

Really appreciate the thoughts and imput..

[Podie]

Bee_Jay said:

The 75-300 IS is the first generation IS, and is not all that good (we are now on 3rd Generation, with lenses like the 70-300 DO IS). As such it only gives you a 1-1.5 stop advantage in real life, as opposed to the 2.5 to 3 of the latest lenses. It does however get a higher rating than the 75-300 III USM, and given the choice between the 2, I would probably buy the IS.

Ah, got my head round this now...

[Podie]

Bee_Jay said:

At £200 it would be worth getting the IS.

I'll see if I can borrow it overnight for a tinker.

Bee_Jay said:

I have the 70-300 DO,...

Cheers for your input Bee Jay - appreciate your time.

[Podie]

Cheers... makes interesting reading.

Will see if I can borrow it for a day first...

[Podie]

Sod it.. I've said I'll have it.


Thanks for all the advice guys.

[Podie]

Rude Girl said:

Trouble is that now you've proved you're a pushover in less than half a day, I give it about 48 hours before they've convinced you to join the Clud!

Just checking that I wasn't buying some tut..

[Podie]

V6GTO said:

Rude Girl said: PODIE...YOUR'E A PUSHOVER! Podie, Can I interest you in a nice little earner... Martin.

[Podie]

V6GTO said:

Podie said: V6GTO said: Rude Girl said: PODIE...YOUR'E A PUSHOVER! Podie, Can I interest you in a nice little earner... Martin. I've invented this revolutionary, brand new concept called time-share...... Martin.

Cool. Is this in Spain where you live...!?!

[Podie]

Rude Girl said:

Who is TD?

It's MY thread dammit... I paid £5k for it..!

[Podie]

Hoping to take delivery of the lens this afternoon, so I'll take some pictures and see how I get on with it.