Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM - discussion

[TP]

Quick question....how would you compare this lens with the F2.8 version? Both IS and non-IS. Any experience with the more expensive cousin? Worth paying the price?

[boredphuck]

review of the 70-200 f/4 IS

[victor]

Do keep the discussion here, and not at the lens review section.

[boredphuck]

Do keep the discussion here, and not at the lens review section.

noted! 

[raptor]

ONly get the 2.8 if you really need the extra stop. Its almost twice the weight and does take a toll on you when shooting for long periods of time or travelling alot. My fried did remakr that he wished he had a f/4 variant for travel as the 2.8 really made his shoulder ache. Having shot with the f/4 non IS and 2.8 IS the most I think i'D rather save the weight and go for a f/4. IS is very useful to have but I have gotten usable shots at 1/120 sec at 200mm before.

While I agree that 67 is an odd size I still find the balance and erganomics pretty good, then again maybe cause I'm using a 350D so the body is relatively smaller and lighter too.

[Dream Merchant]

I'll have to be candid (and probably sound a little stupid along the way)...

I owned the 2.8 IS before, and sold it as it was underused.

All the while, I thought the performance was OK. Basically, nothing to complain. Then i started to explore manual and AF primes, and after awhile, I started getting rid of the AF primes as well.

I tried a friend's 4 non-IS version. At the back of my mind, I was expecting to be blown away by the IQ as I heard that the f/4 versions were the sharpest, most contrasty etc etc etc. Nothing wrong with the lens. It was nice to use. The lightweight and long barrel did feel funny though, and made steady holding more difficult. The pictures were OK. But the boke wide open was just that slight bit less attractive. That's when I started to re-look my old photos taken with the 2.8 IS, and wondered what in the world was I thinking! Or perhaps i just wasn't thinking.

Fast forward, I eneded up getting the 2.8 IS version - again.   

But it's a love-hate relationship.

I love the performance, I love the fact that I can hoot at 2.8 and get virtually razor sharp pictures. I love the absolutely seductively creamy boke. I love the IS. I love the higher percentage of keepers with the IS. I love the fact that the heavier weight actually makes this lens steadier (I have shot razor sharp pix at 200mm 1/8 sec).

I hate carrying the extra weight around. I hate the price and I hate the fact that it's a screaming white lens.

I'm seriously thinking of selling it (again! ) and getting the f/4 IS.

Anyone wants a virtually brand new 70-200 f/2.8 IS with Canon SG warranty? 

Quick question: What is the f/4 IS version really like, IQ wise? I never tried it before so I won't know.

[hwchoy]

and I hate the fact that it's a screaming white lens.

get a magic drainpipe 

[Dream Merchant]

Boh IS leh. 

[hwchoy]

Boh IS leh. 

like a true connoisseur especially when the AF fails no longer function

[squarepumpkin]

I chosed the non IS version for 2 reasons. 1st, this lens is always on the tripod as I'm just not comfortable handholding this range unless its really good light. 2nd; when I bought the non IS version, the one with IS wasn't even available yet. Both f2.8 versions doesn't do any good as I usually use the lens stopped down to f8 and below. Weight is an issue too. I actually bought an f2.8 for my first Melbourne GP and sold it 3 days later for the f4. Its just too much weight for a single lens and I don't really need the extra 1 stop. I will be using the f4 IS on a tripod most of the time but now I have the option of walking around with it and end up with usable handheld images.

[cha_alex]

Razor sharp wide open 

Light enough for walkaround lens (but this is subjective)

Too bad it doesn't come with tripod collar like the big brother

[percy]

get a magic drainpipe 

sorry for asking but, what the magic drainpipe?

[Michael]

sorry for asking but, what the magic drainpipe?

that's the old canon 80-200 f2.8. it's one of the few zoom long L lenses that come in black, at 16 years old, it's a legend

-- -- -- -- -- --

i am tempted to take all four 70-200, the f4 and f2.8, the one with IS and the one without and do a comparison test

who's willing to loan?

[percy]

i see. thanks!

[hwchoy]

sorry for asking but, what the magic drainpipe?

itu magic drainpipe the lao peh of the 70-200s.

mikey, don't forget to include this old fella in the line up test.