Which one of these???

[tony fanning]

I cannot afford the 2.8 IS at the moment, but want to upgrade from the 70-200 F4L.
Is the F4L IS any good for weddings- I know extra speed would be better but the IS is a real bonus.Smaller and compact.
OR
The Sigma APO 70-200 F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM. No IS but faster apperture and macro. Size of a small country!

One of these will be on my second 20D, with my 17-55 2.8 IS on the other 20D.
Using IS is a real revelation, so I`m swaying toward the F4L IS at the moment unless I`m talked out of it.
OR
Should I stick with the F4 and save up for the 2.8 IS?

All advice welcomed especially from people with experience of either of these lenses.
Cheers.

[RobKirkwood]

I think it depends! :lol:

Seriously though, I would rule out the Sigma - it's not going to give you much more than the Canon f4 you already have, and those Canon f4's are super sharp lenses (we used to have one), and some people say the f4 IS is the sharpest lens Canon make.

I think the f4 IS would give you some major advantages over your existing non-IS. We had been shooting with the f4 and were missing some shots due mostly to the lack of IS rather than the lack of f2.8. We were going to buy an f4 IS, but a great deal on the 70-200 f2.8 IS came along.

One other thing to consider, the 70-200 f2.8 IS is a heavy lens, and an imposing thing to use at most UK weddings. The camera it's fitted to needs a grip (or 1 series) to balance the combination properly, and Ann finds the combination much too heavy - so we're currently considering adding a 70-200 f4 IS anyway!

Wilkinsons have the f4 IS for £700, there's an £80 cashback, and Warehouse Express will price match 125% of the difference ...so it could be a good time to buy the f4 IS ;)

Rob

[Grace]

i saved money for one year, sold one body and 3 lenses just to buy the 70-200 2.8 IS....not a bit of doubt that I did the right thing. I can't speak on behalf of the sigma lenses, I have never owned one. But the 70-200 IS - you can't go wrong. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!

[Banbert]

I had the 70-200 F4 L non IS, my mate now uses that and I have the 70-200 F2.8 IS and although it was painful forking out the cash for it I am happy that I did do, the IS on it is astounding, save, beg and borrow to get the 2.8 IS ... if you dont your gonna end up getting it one day so anything you buy in between now and then is just a stop gap.

[MALI]

Right after the last week's wedding, I once more understood how fast lenses are important for weddings. There is no way I would go for a F4 lens. I was wanting even more aperture than 2.8 in many cases. IS is not as valuable as speed in my opinion. 70-200 2.8L IS is one superb lens and excellent choice for weddings. I know it is expensive but I believe it is worth every penny.

[mizuno]

Wait till you can afford the best.

You'll never be completely satisfied otherwise.

You know it's true. :)

[liza]

I used the Sigma 70-200 at last weekend's wedding. It was great for an outdoor venue, but I'm not convinced it would perform well in a dark church. I tried using it during basketball season and found it a bit lacking in terms of autofocus for indoor sports. Personally, I'm going to sell a couple of lenses and save my pennies for the 70-200 f/2.8IS. I think it would be well worth the money.

[thewavebb]

Well I shoot with the sigma 70-200 2.8 and I can say if you are on a budget and need this range and speed its a great lens. I also have the 70-200 2.8 IS, which is by far a better lens for usefullness, but at 2x the price of the sigma.

My wife uses the canon and I use the sigma and in normal lighting conditions I really can't see much of any difference between the two. I have the new macro version of it and the closer minimum focusing distance is great. In lower light, the HSM AF speed for mine is a rock star and no noticable change from the USM of canon. Look at your equipment needs list and and see what you could do with the extra 600-800 by going with the simga. Then make your decision. If you have the time and coin to get the IS, by all means do it. I could wait that long and went with the Sigma and never regretted it for a second.