renting the 70-200 2.8 is

[zacwolf]

so I am renting the 70-200 2.8 IS for my schools homecoming game/parade

the parade is at 1:30 and the game is at 7:30

i will only have it for a day before the parade/game so i was wondering if any of you could give me some helpful tips in using this lens (im sure i will be dying to own it after i use it)

[Benandbobbi]

Helpfull tip assuming you are right handed---
1. Set the lens to Autofocus
2. Hold the camera body with your right hand with your right index finger extended and touching the shutter release trigger\button
3. Use your left hand to zoom in\out using a slow, gentle twisting motion to "frame" the scene in your viewfinder
4. Gently user your right index finger to depress the shutter release trigger\button halfway down allowing the auto focus mechanism to activate.
5. Fully depress the shutter release button with your right index finger.
6. Look at the resulting image in your LCD screen and experience the "wow" factor.

[awad]

use mode 2 of the IS for panning.

[pturton]

Set the focus distance switch setting to '2.5m-infinity' unless focusing closer than 3 meters

With the 'Stablizer' switch set to 'ON', set the 'Stabilizer Mode' switch to '1' unless you are panning to follow a fast moving subject.

Remove any protective filter that may be on the lens and _do_ use the big ugly hood that comes with the lens.

Put the camera strap over your neck backwards so that the lens hangs nicely between your elbow and body when you are not shooting. This allows you to easily walk through a crowd without the front element or lenshood striking any damaging objects.

When this lens is stopped down to f/4, it is difficult to pixel peek the difference between it and an 135L at the same aperture.

Remember that IS does _NOT_ stop subject movement but it does help eliminate camera shake. When shooting in compromised lighting conditions I usually use TV mode and increase the ISO to allow 1/125 second shutter speed to help capture human subject movement.

[Roger Cicala]

Remember the IS takes a fraction of a second to fire up. Try to frame and hold the shutter button halfway down to allow the IS to get activated before squeezing off the actual shot. This requires a little predicting of where the action's going to be and isn't always possible.
Use that day before the game and parade to just carry it around and play shoot with it. Its fairly heavy and you'll find you want to hold the camera and lens differently than with a smaller lens.
And I second the part about the big ugly hood. Its important.

[zacwolf]

use mode 2 of the IS for panning.
thanks for the detailed advice john ;)

[Tapeman]

Are you using custom function 4? The 70-200 is a good lens with that.

[zacwolf]

Are you using custom function 4? The 70-200 is a good lens with that.
can you elaborate more?

i see that its mirror lockup, but what does that accomplish?

[4x4rock]

func f4 is for the 20D. It moves the focus function to the * button instead of the shutter so it's a little easier to use with AI Servo to track moving objects.

I'm not sure the XT has similar function.

[zacwolf]

func f4 is for the 20D. It moves the focus function to the * button instead of the shutter so it's a little easier to use with AI Servo to track moving objects.

I'm not sure the XT has similar function.
its the same on the xt, im a moron and looked at the wrong thing:(