L Series or IS - Which should be a higher priority?

Question

Tell me oh gurus, which is better - L series or IS?
I currently have a Canon Rebel XT, with a Sigma 17-70 f2.8 lens.  I would like to complement my system with a long focal length zoom lens, to capture those shots I dare not get closer too (bears, moose, etc).

I can afford a lens with one of the features, but not both.  For reference, most of my shots will be outdoors, with and without a tripod.  A trip out west next year will be the true test.  I have never taken any low light action shots.  My pictures are primarily nature and family.  Here are my current options:

a.  Canon 70-300 f4 IS USM for about $650
b.  Canon 70-200 f4 L without IS about $560
c.  Sigma 70-200 f2.8 no mention of IS about $780
d.  Tokina 80-400 f4.5 no mention of IS about $650

Given how I am planning on using the lens, which should I go with?

Lastly, what notations for Tamron indicate a high quality lense and/or image stabilization?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Nick N · Accepted Answer

Either A or B on your list.  the 70-300 is getting good reviews, here is a link:

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_70300_456is/index.htm

I personally would go with option B.  You will get a lot more keepers with the L glass, with better image quality, even without the IS.

Here is a link for the 70-200L, 

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_70300_456is/index.htm

Overall, you won't be disappointed with either lens.  And both have decent resell value, so if or when you want to upgrade you won't lose much buying either one.

The Former Dr. Bob · Answer

Photo guru Ken Rockwell has this to say about the Canon 70-300mm IS:

"Buy one! I probably will be buying one soon myself. Why? First-class optics, super light weight, great resistance to flare, wide and well spaced zoom range and excellent image stabilization. I’m an infrequent tele shooter, so for me weight and size is very important since I spend more time carrying my teles than I spend shooting with them. I worry more about my wide lenses. Forget that it’s not L-series unless you’re a full-time journalist who often breaks lenses. Optics are as good, in fact, this 70-300mm IS gives sharper images than my L-series wide lenses. Ultra wide lenses are tough to make as sharp as teles. Real image quality of this IS lens will be much better than non-IS L-series lenses handheld.“

As if anyone could add anything to that, I'll point out that the IS feature give up to a 3-stop improvement in low light, according to Canon.  That makes the Canon's f4 apeture more usable than the Sigma's f2.8 (if we're talking about exposure times, that is, rather than background blur.  I assume from your phrasing that we are.)

L Series or IS - Which should be a higher priority?

2 Answers