Canon Zoom Lens Price Comparison

<p>Curious to know why a 100-400mm costs less than a 70-300mm:<br /><br />https://www.keh.com/search/list?n=147&mfg[]=Canon&fl[]=100-400mm&fl[]=70-300mm</p>

<p>I'm trying to make a decision on which one to purchase. The 100-400mm might be the best bet - if you're going to invest in a zoom, why not get the LONGEST you can find? :)</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>I assume you are referring to the 70-300 L, as opposed to the 70-300 IS USM. The short answer is that it's much newer, still in production and has better optical and IS performance (the 100-400 is equipped with version 1.0 ;) ).</p>

<p>This is not to say that the 100-400 isn't a great lens, or that the longer FL wouldn't outweigh the 70-300L's benefits, just that there are several <em>good</em> reasons why it's used cost is a bit more...</p>

 

<p>Thanks, Marcus.<br>

So, it basically comes down to the fact that the 70-300mm has newer IS technology...? <br /><br />I may choose the 100-400, regardless.</p>

<p>Thanks again.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>why not get the LONGEST you can find? :</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Because it will also be bigger, heavier, and harder to put in a bag?</p>

<p>As Robin says the Canon 100-400 L mark 1 is a lot bigger and heavier than the 70-300 L lens. So if you are going to use the lens for wildlife or sport then the 100-400 is more useful. But if you want a travel lens then probably the smaller, lighter 70-300 L is better. </p>

<p>70-300L is generally accepted as the best presently available for this focal length combination. (Whether it represents the best value is another question.....) It is a relatively new lens, and so relatively fewer used copies are available, thus commands a higher used price. The 100-400L v1 competes with the v2 of the same lens, as well as some new 150-600 lenses from Tamron and Sigma that have very competitive optical performance and similar prices to the Canon. These additional choices, the numbers made during its long production run, plus its older technology cause the 100-400L v1 to command a lower price on the used market at present.<br>

As others have suggested, there are many factors that should be considered in choosing a lens. Focal length is one of these, but size, weight, handling, optical characteristics, price all need to be considered.</p>

<p>If I could only have one lens to use for nature photography it would be the Sigma 150 -600C. I own or have owned all the lenses mentioned. I find I am leaving my "L" lenses home and using the Sigma virtually all of the time. There is no question this lens is the most versatile and gives the best bang for the buck. I am constantly amazed at the image quality.<img src="http://www.meckstein.com/post/card100.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>This is a 100% crop from an image at 600mm</p>

<p>I agree with some of the others, if you're shooting sports or action the 100-400 (original) might be the best choice</p>

<p>60D<br>

100-400 (original)<br>

400mm (cropped)<br>

<img src="http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae223/cyclo100/IMG_8127%20copy.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p> </p>