Canon 300 F4 Lens

[Huck]

I am looking at getting one of these but do not know anyone who shoots it. I can not afford to go with a F2.8 version, so I have been looking at this option for some of the sports I shoot. I shot 95% in bright sun light, and I will have my 70-200 F2.8 soon for night, but curious how well this lens performs in lower lights (IE Stadium lighting) at F4. Anyone use this lens can shine some light for me on the subject before I make a purchase? I am looking for that added reach for sports that the 70-200 can not reach.

[lhdvies]

I have had usd 300mm/f4 LIS for years & it is a fantastic lens. I don't know about the sports usage as I only use mine handheld in the "boonies" for wildlife & nature shooting. The only drawback for sports is you would probably be limited to daytime shooting due to the f4. It is very versatile & accepts a 1.4x very well!

[Jake]

I use this lens and it's really nice. The AF is fast and the I.S. works great.
As for sports, it's fine if you have light. I've shot many daytime sports with this lens.
But like what was said above, probably not going to do well at f/4 after dark.

[arich]

just sent you a PM with a gallery of examples

[Jim Victory]

I have tons of nature and wildlife shots with this lens and a 1.4x TC. The MFD on it makes it good for some macro work as well.

Since your interested in sports I'll post a couple of shots using it with a 1.4x TC. The first shot was in bright daylight and the second one was cloudy and raining. The third and 4th shots were with a 300 f/2.8L IS for a comparison.

[shnitz]

I used this lens for sports for years, with a 10D and 20D. It works wonderfully. It's probably the best bang-for-the-buck telephoto made. Good reach, respectable focus speed and image quality, and has IS. The next steps up cost many times more. I always shot mine from a monopod, as I felt it was easier to track movement. I backed it up with a 70-200L non-IS, also shot from the monopod.

[labmansid]

I have used my 300 f4 for shooting sports (from the stands) occasionally. If you have good light, it works quite well, in my opinion. You won't have the better DOF of the 2.8 version, but for me it is much easier to "sneak" into the stands!
These were shot last year with a 40D at 1600ISO and 1/400SS, after it got dark and only the stadium lights were providing the lighting.