70-200: f/4 IS or 2.8?

[MrsKitty]

OK. I got a nice bonus from work so I am gonna get a 70-200. Question is do I want the f/4 IS or the 2.8? Part of me wants the 2.8 while the other wants the f/4 IS.

JB, which do you have? Would you get it again? Complaints?

I am leaning toward the f/4 IS because it is lighter. But I don't want to make a $1K mistake...

[hwyhobo]

Disclaimer: I do NOT have either. However, the reviews, both "pro" and hearsay seem to agree that f/4 is brilliantly sharp (and cheaper, of course). f/2.8 is brighter though. ;)

The Photozone review (http://www.photozone.de/Reviews/Canon%20EOS%20Lens%20Tests/45-canon-eos-aps-c/196-canon-ef-70-200mm-f4-usm-l-is-test-report--review) says in the summary:
The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 USM L IS may well be the very best tele zoom on the market today - it is certainly the best Canon zoom lens tested locally to date. The lens was capable to deliver a near-flawless performance is all categories. The resolution figures are stunning regardless of the setting.

[MrsKitty]

I have never even seen either in a place where I could play around with them. There isn't a decent camera shop anywhere around me I can check them out. That is my only reason for being totally unsure.

The reviews all put the f/4 and f/4 IS waaaaaaaaaay ahead it seems. I just want to make sure it's the one I want...

[DeadMansLife]

Don't forget the Canon rebates!!!

CLICK HERE (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=PromotionsAct)

[MrsKitty]

Yeah. The rebate puts it at about $15 cheaper than it was before B&H's last catalog was mailed.

[Hokie]

The f4 is a good lens and either one would be good. Given the choice I would pick the 2.8 because it is faster. But I am not you.

[DeadMansLife]

the 2.8 because it is faster

If you plan on using it indoors, get the f/2.8(the IS Would be nice).

[MrsKitty]

I went with the f/4 IS. With my bad shoulder, size and weight is a MAJOR consideration. The reviews on it seem to be better and I would rather have a slightly less lens that I can use than a faster one I couldn't physically use (I loathe using a tripod for anything other than IR.) the f/2.8 IS would have really been nice...maybe someday...

Now....where the hell is UPS? :crying:

I just cannot believe I ordered this thing yet... :faint:

I keep telling myself it wasn't stupid since my camera skills landed me an awesome p/t job that lead to the bonus but yikes that is a crapload of money to spend on something...

[woodasptim]

I went with the 70-200 f/2.8L and love it so much that I'm looking to buy a 24-70 f/2.8L now. I hope you enjoy it.

[MrsKitty]

It's shipped :banana:

[JimBianchi]

I own the 2.8L, but recently borrowed the 4L IS and and I got to say it is an amazing piece of glass.(VERY LIGHT!!)

You made the right choice.

[MrsKitty]

I own the 2.8L, but recently borrowed the 4L IS and and I got to say it is an amazing piece of glass.(VERY LIGHT!!)

You made the right choice.

Since you say that, I am questioning my choice a lot less. I have heard good things about all of them so I know the quality isn't really a consideration. Just deciding 2.8 vs weight vs IS... man, was it a hard decision to make!

I fell like a little kid waiting for Santa! :embarassed:

[JimBianchi]

I hardly ever carry my 70-200 2.8L because of weight.

I should put it on EBay and use the money to cover part of the cost of a F4 IS.

I might break even. (Or close)

[MrsKitty]

Are you a member on POTN? Try selling it there, FM or some other photography board. It would be safer and you don't have to risk a low bid winning plus the chances of you getting burned would be less.

That said...the last thing I eBayed was a $20 Yankee Candle that brought $70! :faint:

[JimBianchi]

Are you a member on POTN? Try selling it there, FM or some other photography board. It would be safer and you don't have to risk a low bid winning plus the chances of you getting burned would be less.

That said...the last thing I eBayed was a $20 Yankee Candle that brought $70! :faint:

I am familiar with both places and still perfer EBay for high end stuff.

I've quite abit of money off of EBay and I'm comfortable there.

[MrsKitty]

I am familiar with both places and still perfer EBay for high end stuff.

I've quite abit of money off of EBay and I'm comfortable there.

I have bought a lot of stuff of there. I got all but one of my FD lenses there, my AE-1 and tons of other things. I haven't ever had a real problem but horror stories make me wary of both buying and selling high end stuff there. Then again, I am paranoid. :supergrin:

[Trebuchet]

I have the 70-200 f/4 non-IS, and could not be happier.

I have been using it this season for little league with a kenko pro 300 1.4x TC, and the result have been spectacular.

(I picked up both the lens and the TC on the POTN forum.)

[woodasptim]

I just noticed that the Canon Rebate program is back. http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=PromotionsAct I hope you qualified :)

[DeadMansLife]

I hardly ever carry my 70-200 2.8L because of weight.

I should put it on EBay and use the money to cover part of the cost of a F4 IS.

I might break even. (Or close)

Offer an even-up trade @ POTN and I bet it doesn't last long.

[MrsKitty]

I just noticed that the Canon Rebate program is back. http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=PromotionsAct I hope you qualified :)

Yep. I sure did. :)

I still cannot believe I spent that much on ONE lens :shocked: :supergrin:

[bigzebra]

Are you a member on POTN? Try selling it there, FM or some other photography board. It would be safer and you don't have to risk a low bid winning plus the chances of you getting burned would be less.

That said...the last thing I eBayed was a $20 Yankee Candle that brought $70! :faint:


Condrads of your purchase!! I just purchased a barely used 70-200mm L 2.8 IS on POTN. I know it's going to be a little heavy, but I hope it kicks ass! I'm pretty excited, not that you can tell or anything.

[DeadMansLife]

Yep. I sure did. :)

I still cannot believe I spent that much on ONE lens :shocked: :supergrin:

So how long ya gonna make us wait for pics???:supergrin:

[Hokie]

It is not expensive, it is not like TP that you use once and flush down the toilet. A great lens will last a lifetime.

[MrsKitty]

So how long ya gonna make us wait for pics???:supergrin:

Behave! :tongueout:

[MrsKitty]

It is not expensive, it is not like TP that you use once and flush down the toilet. A great lens will last a lifetime.

Yes. And the resale on it is pretty good... I also watched that for a while just in case. lol

I am looking at it as an investment. Yeah, that's it. :supergrin:

[MrsKitty]

Condrads of your purchase!! I just purchased a barely used 70-200mm L 2.8 IS on POTN. I know it's going to be a little heavy, but I hope it kicks ass! I'm pretty excited, not that you can tell or anything.

:rofl:

I am sure it will kick ass. :supergrin:

Is it there yet? :whistling:

[MrsKitty]

I'll post some pics when I get something I think people will find interesting.

[bigzebra]

:rofl:

I am sure it will kick ass. :supergrin:

Is it there yet? :whistling:

Should be here tomorrow. I'll let you know...... :dunno:

[MrsKitty]

Should be here tomorrow. I'll let you know...... :dunno:

Waiting is such agony... *sigh*

[bigzebra]

I am sure it will kick ass.

Is it there yet? :whistling:


'Brown' dropped if off yesterday. I nearly ripped the box in half trying to get it out (felt a little monstrous!) It's exactly as described by the seller. And let me tell you, it took a lot of faith (I'm not religious) to send over $1400 into cyberspace, not to a place like Amazon on eBay.

Being my first L lens, I am totally flabbergasted! This thing is AMAYZING!!

Nothing spectacular, but here are some of the first shots with my new lens and a 40D:

1
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/bigzebra/LucyKit.jpg
2
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/bigzebra/Nelson.jpg
3
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/bigzebra/Nelson2-1.jpg
4
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/bigzebra/Flower.jpg

[MrsKitty]

Yep, I think you are gonna love it. The expression in the second pic of the child is awesome! If I had kids, those kind of shots are what I would want, not this posed crap you just dressed the kid up for. :)

Yeah, I don't think I could send that kind of cash out like that. On Amazon or some place with that ranking I could but not to a private seller *gulp*

I'm glad you got it! :)