decitions, Canon 70-200 (and wide zoom but which one)?

[marxz]

OK so getting close to committing to new lenses but just like some input.

basically I'd like to get a 70-200 IS either the f2.8 or the f4...

Now I seriously like the idea of the f2.8 model and can live with the price but a number of on line test such as http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_70200_28is/index.htm and several posters on Fred Miranda's review site have voiced some issues with "bad copies" being noticeably worse (without even resorting to pixel peeping) than the f4 version.

Also most of the reviews tend to reenforce the idea that the 70-200 f 4 L lens is one of the best zooms as far as image quality goes.


I can live with the loss of a stop as my current telephoto zooms are the 70-300 f4-5.6 IS and the Sigma 50-500 f4-6.3 so at worst I'm not losing anything aperture wise over what I've already got but hopefully gaining sharpness and contrast.
Also I'm hoping that with in the next year I'll also upgrade my camera from my current 20D to a 1D MkIII which has about 2 stops gain in ISO quality - looking at test shots I took with both cameras in low light the noise at 3200 on the 1D MK III is almost as low as the 20D at 800. As such it's a case of what I lose on the swings (getting the f4 version) I'll more than make up for on the roundabouts (the 1D MkIII)

Also with the lower cost of the f4 that would leave more than enough change to allow me to get a new wide angle such as the 17-40 f4 (my current wide angle is the cropped image circle/asp digital sensor Sigma 10-20 which would not work too well with the d1 MkIII (I'd be expect some serious vignetting on that) plus it's "OK to fair sharpness" wouldn't do justice to the 1D Mk III.


Though I do mostly shoot in good light I'd still like to be able to shoot in environments such as these:
http://www.pbase.com/marxz/yoiyama
http://www.pbase.com/marxz/sanjoohashi

note the noise/iso difference between the first and the second gallery is due to upgrading my D60 to a 20D in the week between the two shoots - that gained me an easy whole 1.5 to 2 stops of usable ISO.

[prinothcat]

try these two reviews....
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses ... f28-is.htm
and
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/70-200mm-f4.htm

[marxz]

try these two reviews....
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses ... f28-is.htm
and
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/70-200mm-f4.htm

Thanks though I've actually read those two articles before (this is a far from "impulse purchase" as I've been pondering on it for a good year and a half)


"This lens is approved by the PPLFPA, Professional Patio and Lawn Furniture Photographers' Association, with a grade of "A." "

I was thinking... WTF? how obscure a professional organisation can you get?... then I realised he was, as we say in these parts, "Taking the piss"

[ewhalen]

try these two reviews....
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses ... f28-is.htm
and
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/70-200mm-f4.htm

Thanks though I've actually read those two articles before (this is a far from "impulse purchase" as I've been pondering on it for a good year and a half)


"This lens is approved by the PPLFPA, Professional Patio and Lawn Furniture Photographers' Association, with a grade of "A." "

I was thinking... WTF? how obscure a professional organisation can you get?... then I realised he was, as we say in these parts, "Taking the piss"

Don't read a word of what Rockwell writes. He contradicts himself countless times, and even admits his site is a joke.

[snappingturtle]

I would reccomend reading this.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/

I have the f/2.8L IS version and I love it. It is my primary workhorse and perhaps the best purchase I made on photography gear. Though from what I have heard, the f/4 version is not a bad option either if you don't plan any lowlight action shooting anytime.

[ewhalen]

I'd go with the F2.8 non IS version.

Fast, sharp.

IS is nice....but a costly addition to this lens.

[marxz]

I'd go with the F2.8 non IS version.

Fast, sharp.

IS is nice....but a costly addition to this lens.

actually, and this is just my opinion, my experience with IS is that it is the best thing since digital cameras themselves. I own a couple of good tripods and use them a lot but being able to shoot at 100mm + handheld in less than perfect light is a real boon for travel/backpacking.

I guess if you're primarily doing sports or wild life and use a mono/tripod most of the time then wider aperture is the better side of the deal.

[ewhalen]

I don't see the need for IS in most cases below 300 MM.

Even 200 MM is hand holdable at 1/100th a second.

Less that 1/60th a second and motion blur from the subject will rear its head.

Not saying IS isn't nice in some examples, but I would save the money and get the 70-200 F2.8 non IS...well...no.

I'd just get the 200 F2.8 and not bother with the zoom :p

[jdepould]

I love IS/VR for shooting things like concerts, where fast shutter speed isn't imperative. 1/60 will work just fine.

The other good thing about not carrying a monopod on the sideline: it's easier to get out of the way when the action gets a little too close.

[zidar]

I am a big fan of Canon lenses in general. I bought the 70-200 f4L because it is lightweight and portable. It is a superb lens. I don't have any IS lenses, but a friend who is an AP staff photographer tells me it's great. So you can consider the newer IS version of the lens. Back in the old days, before digital, I used the 80-200 f2.8L lens, which was also a terrific lens. Because I almost always used it at 200, I decided to sell it and use my 200 2.8L instead. The prime lens is nice and compact. So I use that combo: the F4L zoom, and the prime 200 2.8L. One or the other....

Wide zooms? I used to have the 20-35 f2.8L and that was a great lens. Should have kept it. I recently bought the 16-35 f2.8L II and it seems to be a good lens....but I don't like big bulky lenses. Most of the time for wide I use a 28 1.8 or a 24 1.4L.

You can see my photos at http://www.pbase.com/zidar

James Mason
Alaska

[naliazor]

70-200 f4L is light n fast af
IS is extra feature n extra $$$