New 70-200 f/4 or used 70-200 f/2.8

[Conor]

New 70-200 4.0 (579.00 + shipping)
1.56 lb

• E67U Front Cap
• Rear Cap E
• ET-74 Lens Hood
• LP1224 Soft Lens Case
• 1 Year Warranty

Need to add 110.00 for teh tripod ring




Used 70-200 2.8 (750.00) New is 1130.00 from BH
2.80 lb

• E77 Front Cap
• Rear Cap E
• ET-83II Lens Hood
• LZ1324 Soft Case (older stock may still include a hard case)
• Tripod Ring



thoughts?

[dn7elson]

I have the 70-200 f4 and bought the tripod ring. For the 1 stop difference, given that I will be using it almost exclusively outdoors, it was not worth the additional cost of the f/2.8 IMHO.

With a used lens, the price difference between a new f/4.0 and a used f/2.8 closes, but again, in my situation, I would likely still go for the f/4.0, particularly if I could not get some form of warranty on the used lens (you have to include this in the cost analysis too).

Now, if it were a used f/2.8 IS lens in the $900-1,000 range, I would be very tempted to go after it, again with the caveat of a warranty on a used lens.

The decision is largely whether you need the additional stop of the f/2.8 and feel comfortable about the ongoing functionality of the used lens.

[Avarond]

Can cut that $110 for tripod ring down to $80 if you use the black tripod ring.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=211436&is=REG

Havent tried this myself and under features it says ONLY for the 200mm but many here have posted that it works.

[psk4363]

Hi Conor,

I can only give you my experience when considering the very same question last week on this forum: -

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=25125

I ended up buying the 2.8 and it really is worthy of the comments re its quality. :D

Hope this helps,
Barry

[Whaler]

That's a lot of money for ONE extra stop, If you really need it you can push the ISO. Filters at 77mm are NOT cheap.

My 2 cents

[randyk]

You can't go wrong with either. Faster is better so I would spend the extra for the 2.8. But I would also happily take the 4.0. It comes down to how much you are willing to spend and what you want to shoot. If lots of indoor sports, you should go with the faster lens, the sigma 2.8 70-200 is attractively priced also.

I have owned the 4.0 and recently picked up the 2.8 IS.

Another alternative - go with the 4.0 but pick up an even faster tele prime, like the 85 1.8.

[Canon10D]

$750 for a used Canon 70-200 f2.8L is a very good price IMHO if all the glass elements are clean and perfect.

New 70-200 4.0 (579.00 + shipping)
1.56 lb

• E67U Front Cap
• Rear Cap E
• ET-74 Lens Hood
• LP1224 Soft Lens Case
• 1 Year Warranty

Need to add 110.00 for teh tripod ring




Used 70-200 2.8 (750.00) New is 1130.00 from BH
2.80 lb

• E77 Front Cap
• Rear Cap E
• ET-83II Lens Hood
• LZ1324 Soft Case (older stock may still include a hard case)
• Tripod Ring



thoughts?

[Conor]

$750 for a used Canon 70-200 f2.8L is a very good price IMHO if all the glass elements are clean and perfect.





yea im trying to scrounge up the money to purchase this lens before someone else does. :)