Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS - worth the money?

gloobag

I've been thinking about getting one of these for weeks now, but the huge price tag is making me a bit apprehensive. Can anyone here who has one tell me, is it really as good as it's made out to be? Any ideas on where I can get a good deal on one if I do decide to buy?

whyulittle

Love mine, one of the greatest purchases I've ever made! I went for the non-IS version and have no regrets.

Fajitas!

I have the 2.8 IS version...

It's a good lens, but ultimatly, very heavy. I don't give mine too much use.

It does have:

Good colours, good bokeh, good zoom, fast glass, image stabilisation.

But:

It's big. It's heavy. It's very obvious (Creamy). It's got a big price tag.

I don't regret buying mine as it's come in handy, but not as often as it should. Rent one for a weekend before you buy maybe?

AnimalRights

Would agree with Fajitas on every point.( I don't mind the creamy colour)
The thing with certain lenses is while you won't use them all the time it is very nice to have them there in the bag so to speak.

Pinarello

Like all of the other posters said, i absolutley love mine.I got the 2.8 L IS USM version.I bought it in B&H Photo 3 weeks ago in New York.Don't regret the purchase for one minute, well worth the cash dropped on it.I got very good advice from the guys/gals here on boards about buying it.

If you want to buy one try KERSO1123@MSN.COM His name is Ian. He is in Scotland so no need to worry about import duties.He has very good prices.I'm going to get the 24-70mm f2.8 L USM off him before Christmas...;)

Shiny

Have you considered the F4 IS version ?

Compromise on size, weight and cost ?

AnimalRights

If I had extra money I'd would love that version too.

Shiny

Yeah me too.

Apparently meant to be slightly sharper also. :cool:

gloobag

I've emailed your man Kerso anyways, so I'll see what kinda price he gives me. I have a few guitars left over from my musician days that I'll be selling, so hopefully it shouldn't make too much of a dent in the bank balance Might just sell off my 400D as well, it hasn't had a look in since my 50D arrived.

King Eric

i have the 2.8 non IS version, was a huge purchase for me, i couldnt wait for the day id get it and have the opportunity to use it everyday. It is THE lens to have, you won't find a bad review for it anywhere (other than its on the heavy & expensive size) and its just beautiful.

However after I bought it I found it never really got the use it deserved, and compared to the 50mm, 85 1.8 and 24-70, it didnt get used at all.

Thing is there are situations when you when you absolutely need 70-200 @2.8* and it will save your ass and get you your pay cheque. It is for these non everyday things that the 70-200 absolutely shines through for me and is worth every single penny.

I suppose it depends on what you shoot and plan to shoot too.

*im sure there are ways and means but being practical......

BanzaiBk

Same as Eric above, I bought the 2.8 IS version. Saw it for awhile as the Jesus of lenses, until I got it and used it about 5 times:p I recently sold mine and purchased the very sexeh 85mm 1.8 with the proceeds. It all depends on what you shoot I suppose. Gorgeous colours though in the 2.8 version.

jackdaw

AnimalRights wrote: »

If I had extra money I'd would love that version too.

Now that's just stupid .. buying the f4 IS if you have the f2.8 IS ...


just curious ? are you a solicitor = = or just have more money then sense ?


edit == forgot to mention .. It-s my favourite lens ... i have the 2.8 IS and it-s the best purchase ...
an investment ... Kea photo has them at a great price...

Shiny

jackdaw wrote: »

Now that's just stupid .. buying the f4 IS if you have the f2.8 IS ...


just curious ? are you a solicitor = = or just have more money then sense ?


edit == forgot to mention .. It-s my favourite lens ... i have the 2.8 IS and it-s the best purchase ...
an investment ... Kea photo has them at a great price...

I assume he was agreeing with my comment above?

LeoB

I would love this len but its just not on. I couldnt justify forking out that money at the moment or in the next few months so Iv ordered a Sigma 70-200 f2.8 after seeing a few lads use it at football match's. They were happy with it. Will have it during the week. Approx 40% cheaper in States. If you know anyone in U.S A maybe they could pick it up for you.

AnimalRights

I am on the dole but I don't smoke, I like to save and spoil myself, I am worth it.

LeoB

Thanks Animal Rights:o:P I am not on the dole, working years, but I do smoke:mad: I know in my heart and soul if I didnt smoke I could probably have just about any kit. But I dont drink and have a mortgage and 3 kids. I love the life I have tho:):) Maybe I will stop puffing one of these days. The morning cough is getting a bit worse

Borderfox

The f2.8IS is a superb lens and I use it nearly every day, the f2.8 is sharper but I wanted the IS and the weather sealing. For my money the IS is worth it.

PixelTrawler

Just to tack on a follow up question

Whats this lense like with a 1.4x and 2.0x extender attached

Does Auto Focus stop at 2.0x?

gloobag

Borderfox wrote: »

The f2.8IS is a superb lens and I use it nearly every day, the f2.8 is sharper but I wanted the IS and the weather sealing. For my money the IS is worth it.

I've never used a lens with IS before, is it really worth the extra cash? We've all seen the sample images comparing IS on and IS off, but what are the results like in the real world?

Fajitas!

I've found it very handy tbh - Being able to knock the shutter speed way down and still get usable results is great at the 200 end.

Shiny

gloobag wrote: »

I've never used a lens with IS before, is it really worth the extra cash? We've all seen the sample images comparing IS on and IS off, but what are the results like in the real world?

I have a 28-135 IS and I notice straight away when it is off while
shooting at slow shutter speeds. Its an excellent addition.

Thing is, this lens has the "old" IS which is only good for maybe 2 stops.
Isn't the IS on the newer lens's good for up to 4 stops ?

Borderfox

The IS is in one of my shots the difference between ISO 100 and ISO 1600 handheld, provided the subject is fairly static it works really well, also the IS models are the only ones that are weather sealed when used with a 1 series body.

AnimalRights

Solyad wrote: »

Just to tack on a follow up question

Whats this lense like with a 1.4x and 2.0x extender attached

With the 1.4x it's still excellent, you do drop a stop but it doesn't effect what I use it for.

PixelTrawler

AnimalRights wrote: »

With the 1.4x it's still excellent, you do drop a stop but it doesn't effect what I sue it for.

1 stop is not too bad... worth getting if i get this so

Fionn

originally my long tele was the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM but i was caught out a few times in less than bright light, it's a very sharp lens but only in good light!

so eventually i got the EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM - this is an amazing lens but as has been noted goddamn heavy, i hauled this thing 9among other stuff) halfway up the Cascades in America on reflection i could have taken the f/4.0 L coz all my shots were for the most part in good light.

However having said that this lens is excellent for Portraits has great bokeh and is also weather sealed. Is great in low light too!
I haven't used the f/4.0 L in a year now!

Borderfox

I used the 70-200 f2.8 IS on Friday and Saturday for around 8 hours each day non stop and at the end of each day I was shattered.

Tactical

The L series glass is always worth the money in terms of results.

The f2.8 aperture along with the IS will cover the majority of situations this lens will typically be used in.

Ok its heavy, but the specs state the weight. Remember is L series and IS, there is a penalty to pay for that! A monopod doesn't cost the earth and is pretty easy to deploy if needed.

Ballyman

Tactical wrote: »

The L series glass is always worth the money in terms of results.

The f2.8 aperture along with the IS will cover the majority of situations this lens will typically be used in.

Ok its heavy, but the specs state the weight. Remember is L series and IS, there is a penalty to pay for that! A monopod doesn't cost the earth and is pretty easy to deploy if needed.

Doesn't the monopod kinda negate the need for IS though?

MartMax

i have the f4 L IS but if i had the money i'd hv bought the 2.8 version. the f4 version is sharp too but f2.8 will be bigger, better choice as a chix magnet. ahaha.

Fajitas!

I was using my 70-200 for a graduation ceremony today, so an hour and a half solid of it being held up.

My arms are killing me, but I did get some great shots. The f/4 wouldn't have cut it in there - shooting in TV @ 1/100th and 1000iso I was getting f/3.5 tops, and that was underexposing by 1/3 of a stop. With IS on, fwiw.

gloobag

Has anyone dealt with your man kerso recently? Sent him a mail on Saturday (and another one this morning) asking about prices and still no reply

AnimalRights

He can be a bit slow that way...he sent me a price list away from e-bay which I think is a wee bit cheaper recently, but I've since lost it.

phog

gloobag wrote: »

Has anyone dealt with your man kerso recently? Sent him a mail on Saturday (and another one this morning) asking about prices and still no reply

I sent him an email on Friday or Saturday and got a reply yesterday.

Burago

I've used both the f4 and f2.8 versions and they're both great. The f4 is a really nice size and weight and is very well balanced with most bodies. The f2.8 is heavier obviously but I'm not sure if optically it's much better than the f4. It's all down to that extra stop and whether you need such a swallow depth of field.

sasar

f/4 will be sharper and will have less CA than f/2.8 lens.

gloobag

And the price kerso has quoted me is . . . . . . 1,344 EUR - including postage. What you guys think, good price?

I've actually seen cheaper on eBay, but I most likely would get screwed with import duty.

AnimalRights

gloobag wrote: »

And the price kerso has quoted me is . . . . . . 1,344 EUR - including postage. What you guys think, good price?

I've actually seen cheaper on eBay, but I most likely would get screwed with import duty.

I got mine about 4 months ago and it was a lot less....to be fair to him lenses have gone up everywhere.
Cannot remember the exact price tbh.
It's 2 grand i9n Conn's though if that makes you feel better!

Tactical

Ballyman wrote: »

Doesn't the monopod kinda negate the need for IS though?

In terms of stabilisation yes, but if weight is going to be an issue then resting it on a monopod may prove to be helpful.