300mm zoom for Canon

[Speed addicted]

I'm thinking about upgrading my Canon 75-300mm USM3 zoom. I don't like it's slow focus and it seems to be quite soft at the 300mm end.
I'd like something that focusses faster for moving subjects and has a similar zoom range. Is the Canon 70-300 IS the best bet?

Budget is around £400 (more will be availabe with time), extra reach would be nice but it has to go to around the 70mm mark for wider view stuff.
The camera is a 500D.

[markmullen]

I'd got for a 70-200 F4 myself, then a 1.4 converter if you need the longer end.

[Speed addicted]

I'd prefer to keep the 300mm ability rather than having to attach more to get it.

[dibbly dobbler]

I've a 70-300 which I very much like but I can't offer you anything in the way of technical information to back this up!

If you're anywhere near Edinburgh you're welcome to try mine

[JSS 911]

as shot at 300mm no crop F5.6 1/320sec ISO 100

Edited by JSS 911 on Saturday 28th May 13:47

[Speed addicted]

dibbly dobbler said:

I've a 70-300 which I very much like but I can't offer you anything in the way of technical information to back this up!

If you're anywhere near Edinburgh you're welcome to try mine

I'll be back in Aberdeen in about 3 weeks, I could pop down then. It'd be a nice day out in the little car or the bike.

[dibbly dobbler]

Speed addicted said:

I'll be back in Aberdeen in about 3 weeks, I could pop down then. It'd be a nice day out in the little car or the bike.

Cool - just PM me if you fancy it

[Gemm]

If you are going for Canon 70-300, have a look at Canon 100-300. It has ring USM, so AF is faster and quieter, and full-time manual focusing is a must (to me, at least).

EDIT: Oooops, I didn't see the 70mm bit.

[Speed addicted]

Would I be able to get a better quality lens by going to the 100-300?

I may be willing to compromise if the image quality is better. I don't use the telephoto that much, but when I do I like to zoom right in, so I'd like something that's sharp with no colour fringing at the 300mm end. It does make life easier being able to go back to 70 though.

My main problem is that there are so many similarly named lenses thst I can't work out which one is best for me through the power of google!

Edited by Speed addicted on Saturday 28th May 18:51

[DIW35]

Is there any chance you can stretch to a s/h 100-400. Not quite as wide as you are looking for at the short end, but it's a well regarded lens, and should give you the reach you are looking for without experiencing the problemns you are having with your current lens.

[Dogsey]

I use the Sigma 100-300 EX f4 and love it, good sharpness right down to f4 (and very sharp above about f5.6), focuses quickly and has a lovely build quality. Bad Points? IS would have been nice, although the constant f4 helps, and it is a few quid more than your budget - but still cheaper (and faster) than Canon's 100-400L, although that has an even better image quality.

[Speed addicted]

Having had a quick look at the 100-400L and Sigma lenses I think more saving may be in order!