Canon EF 70-300 4-5.6 USM IS - Any good for video?

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xocomil

Well-known member
Some of the reviews I've read are pretty good. Optically it sounds pretty good. IS works well. Variable aperture but that's okay. Build quality isn't a problem as I wouldn't be using it that often (hence spending less than half of the cost of a 70-200 L 4.0 - plus the extra reach).

Has anyone used it?
 
I would try the Canon 55-250 f4-5.6 IS. It's light and much sharper than you would expect. I got it just to test out if I need IS on a long zoom before dropping a few grand on an L zoom. For APS-c the range is better being able to pull back to 55. For video if you quick focus between shots it's fast enough and accurate. I just shot a soccer match with it hand held at waist level using the camera strap and resting it on the camera bag for support and the results are very smooth. Can't go wrong with this lens since you can get one on ebay for under $200.
That said the variable aperture sucks and you will loose a lot of shots if you try to zoom in and out. But if you don't need it all the time it is small and weighs nothing to keep in the bag.
 
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i had the same dilemma, and quite frankly... there's not a huge difference from what i've researched.i ended up picking up a used 70-300 for 250, but anything more than that i probably would have gone for the 55-250. the difference between 250 and 300 is rather minimal, the difference between 55 and 70 on the other hand is a bit more useful.

i really am liking my 70-300, but i am pretty confident if i had the 55-250 i'd like it for minimally different reasons.

the one detail that i always take into big consideration is the # and shape of aperture blades, of which the 55-250 has 7, and the 70-300 has 8. so the bokeh on the latter should be a decent bit smoother.
 
imdjay said:
aperture blades, of which the 55-250 has 7, and the 70-300 has 8. so the bokeh on the latter should be a decent bit smoother.
Click to expand...

Here are some tests I posted a while back with 55-250. I don't think there is any lens that will beat what this one can do including IS and descent level of close focusing for under $200 bucks used. I keep swearing I'm gonna dump it and upgrade to an L, but it's still in the bag and on the job.

Canon 55-250 is at the bottom of page 3
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?291410-Cheapos-Good-Bad-Ugly/page3&highlight=canon+55-250+lens


 
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