I had no idea it was this huge.

[cowman345]

Got my 70-200mm IS from dell today, my first impression is "oh my god I cannot carry this thing around". I've yet to remove it from the package... I really can't afford to keep it and planned on selling it on ebay, but i'm so afraid I'll fall in love with it if i try it out.

-dave-

[msnow]

You better get rid of it quick then. I have most all of the "L" zooms (16-35/f2.8L, 24-70/f.28L and the 70-200/f.2.8L) and the 70-200 is quickly becoming one of my favorites. You'll get used to the weight. Start pumping some iron. :)

[mattchase]

Cowman, this is your lens speaking. Open me. Open me. Open me. Play with me. Fondle me. Turn my rings. Oh baby oh baby.

Ahem. Ok, sorry, that was bad. ;)
As Msnow said, if you don't want to keep it, don't use it! My 70-200 is also one of my favorite lenses. And just think, the more you use it the more buff you will become.

[defordphoto]

The 70-200 is THE sweetheart of all the L zooms. You got a killer price on it. Keep it. You will not regret it. Sell something. Kids, pets, a kidney, whatever. That's what we all do. You'll kick yourself a million times over if you sell that on Ebay. Sure you'll make a few bucks, but then you'll be out the lens and if you ever want one again, you'll pay the REAL price to get one. Open it. Use it. Covet it.

[Jim Larson]

Got my 70-200mm IS from dell today, my first impression is "oh my god I cannot carry this thing around". I've yet to remove it from the package... I really can't afford to keep it and planned on selling it on ebay, but i'm so afraid I'll fall in love with it if i try it out.

What kind of deal did you get on this lens?

Note that while this lens is creme-de-la-creme, the 70-200/4L is half the cost and optically just as good. Just slower and lacks IS.

[robertwgross]

Don't try to move that lens around without the optional lens trailer.

A year ago, when I purchased my big Sigma wildlife lens, I got it outfitted with a proper lens trailer for transporation. <sigh> But then, of course, you have to have a V-8 engine SUV to pull the trailer. That's just the beginning. <g>

---Bob Gross---

[IanD]

You have to get a beast of burden like Gitzo to help move big glass around. I found that the Sigma 100-300 and the 70-200 F2.8 are just the right load for a small pack animal like Gitzo.
I believe that Tom is going to start a breeding program and will be offering a prime discount to forum members. One word of advise, order a male beastie, the females kick and bite like crazy.
:lol:
Ian

[CyberDyneSystems]

I too was stunned by the weight of this lens,. I think the "Dell" lens must be heavier,. thus the lower price :mrgreen: (kidding)

But,. although we Dell cutomers could turn a tidy $500.00-$650.00 profit be turning around and selling it unused in box...


...I can't say that I am ready to part with it :wink:

[Belmondo]

Don't try to move that lens around without the optional lens trailer.

A year ago, when I purchased my big Sigma wildlife lens, I got it outfitted with a proper lens trailer for transporation. <sigh> But then, of course, you have to have a V-8 engine SUV to pull the trailer. That's just the beginning. <g>

---Bob Gross---

Bob:
We've missed you. Where've you been?

Tom

[CyberDyneSystems]

Don't try to move that lens around without the optional lens trailer.

A year ago, when I purchased my big Sigma wildlife lens, I got it outfitted with a proper lens trailer for transporation. <sigh> But then, of course, you have to have a V-8 engine SUV to pull the trailer. That's just the beginning. <g>

---Bob Gross---

Bob:
We've missed you. Where've you been?

Tom

Out fixing his trailer no doubt! :) It buckeld under the weight! :shock:

[robertwgross]

Out fixing his trailer no doubt! :) It buckeld under the weight! :shock:

Silly! The lens trailer handles the weight of the big Sigma lens just fine. I guess if I wanted to convert it to carrying big Canon lenses, I would have to paint it white. Then I couldn't get the trailer's generator to start up.

I was away to the mountains for five days of skiing and photography. I had to practice setting exposure to +1.5 or +2 for snow. The cold weather (0 to +6 F) soaks a lot of power out of batteries.

When I came home, the Canon Digital Photography Forum could not be found. The address had changed without warning.

---Bob Gross---

[Pekka]

When I came home, the Canon Digital Photography Forum could not be found. The address had changed without warning.

The address of forum is same, direct topic and board view addresses has changed. So if one has set forum favourite link to e.g. Canon board it is no longer valid

:roll:

[Jim_T]

Yes, carrying a big lens can be a real pain at times..

I shoot long mostly.. I really enjoy wildlife photography.

I have long L glass, but I keep a much smaller and lighter EF100-300 f/4.5-5.6 USM lens to carry when I want to travel light. (It also makes a dandy macro lens with the Canon 500D close up adapter attached).

The two lens approach gives me the option of image quality, or portability as required.

[robertwgross]

The address of forum is same, direct topic and board view addresses has changed. So if one has set forum favourite link to e.g. Canon board it is no longer valid

That is correct. So when I came home after five days away, it didn't work, and there had been no warning of a change. First, I assumed that the server was temporarily down.

---Bob Gross---

[tpinchback]

post a pic of the lens. please

[jimsloy]

Since you are afraid to open the lens, send it to me, I'll use it !

[Morden]

"I had no idea it was this huge."

That's what the ladies often say to me! 8)

Sorry about that - I just couldn't resist being very silly (I seldom can).

Seriously though, the 70-200 f2.8 is a great zoom. I admit to never having tried the f4, but I believe that I would miss the extra speed of the f2.8. As for image quality, the 70-200 is superb. Heavy, yes, but nothing that some intensive bodybuilding can't handle!

[cowman345]

Just did a QUICK test comparing my 28-300mm Sigma CHZ and the Canon Monster. Erm... tripod mounted, at 100mm, f22, 1/60 sec the SIGMA resulted in much crisper images consistantly (3 seperate exposures).

This may be because the IS was compensating for shake that wasn't there due to tripod... i hope that's the case, because i'd feel like crying if a 200 dollar sigma super zoom outperformed a canon L lens optically.

-dave-

[msnow]

Just did a QUICK test comparing my 28-300mm Sigma CHZ and the Canon Monster. Erm... tripod mounted, at 100mm, f22, 1/60 sec the SIGMA resulted in much crisper images consistantly (3 seperate exposures).

This may be because the IS was compensating for shake that wasn't there due to tripod... i hope that's the case, because i'd feel like crying if a 200 dollar sigma super zoom outperformed a canon L lens optically.

-dave-

Turn off IS on the L and try it again 'cause that just doesn't compute.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Yes,. the IS is for hand held,.

Also,. why f/22?

[defordphoto]

Just did a QUICK test comparing my 28-300mm Sigma CHZ and the Canon Monster. Erm... tripod mounted, at 100mm, f22, 1/60 sec the SIGMA resulted in much crisper images consistantly (3 seperate exposures).

This may be because the IS was compensating for shake that wasn't there due to tripod... i hope that's the case, because i'd feel like crying if a 200 dollar sigma super zoom outperformed a canon L lens optically.

-dave-

The 70-200 has second generation IS and will shut itself off on the tripod. There is no way on earth that the Sigma will outperform the Canon. It it is then you're doing something terribly wrong or you received a Dell-Lemon and your bargain lens is hosed.

Post results here with no post processing.

Of course now the lens is used and cannot be sold as new/unopened.

[cowman345]

Lens Comparison:

For this test, I compared the Sigma 28-300mm CHZ Aspherical, the Canon 70-200mm L IS, and the Canon 100mm Macro. I decided to test primarily mid-range apertures (18 and 9) as that's typically the range I would shoot under my studio strobes. (adding 5.6 was a last minute rush-job).

For each lens, I took 3 shots at the aperture with autofocus locked onto the same point, mirror lockup engaged. (IS was turned off on the 20-700).

The 5.6 test was a rush job, so I botched the Sigma test, it's out of focus because I didn't bother taking more than one shot with each lens (it was getting late :? )

note: better click the image for original size.

http://home.rochester.rr.com/cowman345/lenstest.jpg

Undoubtedly, the 70-200mm IS is a lovely lens, but I don't think I can justify keeping it due to the following reasons: 1. I'm broke, and my car needs new exaust pipes, 2. My Sigma is *ok* until I can get a bit better lens, and 3. It's too damnned heavy to carry around.

-dave-

[Canuck]

Got my 70-200mm IS from dell today, my first impression is "oh my god I cannot carry this thing around". I've yet to remove it from the package... I really can't afford to keep it and planned on selling it on ebay, but i'm so afraid I'll fall in love with it if i try it out.

-dave-

Dave, if you can't make use of it I sure could :)

Talking about heavy lenses, we can start with the Sigma 120-300 F2.8 EX
that I have that weighs 5.75 lbs. Next we can graduate to the 500 prime that CDS has that weighs a fair bit more than mine. Now for college you can go with the Canon 600mm L lens and can't remember the F stop on it.
and finally to graduate from college and believe you me you will need the cash for the Canon 1200mm F5.6 L as it runs about $35,000+ and weighs 36+ lbs. ...makes my lens look like a magician wand.

[Canuck]

Out fixing his trailer no doubt! :) It buckeld under the weight! :shock:

Silly! The lens trailer handles the weight of the big Sigma lens just fine. I guess if I wanted to convert it to carrying big Canon lenses, I would have to paint it white. Then I couldn't get the trailer's generator to start up.

I was away to the mountains for five days of skiing and photography. I had to practice setting exposure to +1.5 or +2 for snow. The cold weather (0 to +6 F) soaks a lot of power out of batteries.

When I came home, the Canon Digital Photography Forum could not be found. The address had changed without warning.

---Bob Gross---

Bob,
You need the 1/2 white and 1/2 black to segregate the lenses between the Sigma EX and Canon L! LOL!

[defordphoto]

That is correct. So when I came home after five days away, it didn't work, and there had been no warning of a change. First, I assumed that the server was temporarily down.

---Bob Gross---

See! I told you guys he'd find us! :lol:

[Belmondo]

That is correct. So when I came home after five days away, it didn't work, and there had been no warning of a change. First, I assumed that the server was temporarily down.

---Bob Gross---

See! I told you guys he'd find us! :lol:

While Bob was up in the Sierras making like a Yeti, the rest of us were sitting at our computers biting our nails waiting for the new baby to be born. He has no call to be indignant when we were the ones with all the worry. Still, it's good to have him back to inject some sweetness into the forum. :lol: :lol: :lol: :wink:

[defordphoto]

Absolutely, Tom. Absolutely.

[KO_300D]

Undoubtedly, the 70-200mm IS is a lovely lens, but I don't think I can justify keeping it due to the following reasons: 1. I'm broke, and my car needs new exaust pipes, 2. My Sigma is *ok* until I can get a bit better lens, and 3. It's too damnned heavy to carry around.

-dave-

Yeah Dave you're right. You need to sell it. In fact, I'm having trouble sleeping at night thinking of you struggling through each day.

I'd feel a lot better taking the burden off your shoulders :)

Do you want my Ebay ID now or should I PM you? hehe

[KennyG]

You have to get a beast of burden like Gitzo to help move big glass around.

This isn't 'big glass', it is just 'average glass'. It is used by most owners like myself hand-held, that is why it has IS. Now, my 300 2.8L IS, or 500 4L IS is big glass and needs some support.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Kenny,. I too have a 500mm Prime,. and I know what you mean,. no the 70-200 f/2.8 is no where near that acale,. but for something is DESIGNED to be hand held,. it is truly a hand full :)