Canon 70-200 f:2.8 IS Questions

[Darryl]

Late next month I will get to shoot an Indy car race. It is a daytime race and I am fortunate enough to get a press pass so I will get to be fairly close to the action.

I am renting a Canon 70-200 f:2.8 IS lens for the event. I picked one up this weekend to get some experience with it. Unfortunately I don't have a manual for it. My question is regarding the various settings on the lens.

Those of you already experienced with the lens, do you recommend...

A.) Using a monopod
B.) Using the IS
C.) If using the IS, which mode, 1 or 2?

Thanks in advance.

[kd6lor]

If convenient, use the monopod. The IS is compatible with the monopod.

Use the IS. Check the focus range switch. If you are not going to be doing any close focusing, set it to the higher range to prevent hunting.

If you are going to pan the motion, use mode 2, otherwise use mode 1.


Bring extra batteries, your camera will gobble up the volts a bit faster with this lens on the body.

Have fun, this is a great lens. Heavy, but great.

[Phil Hall]

Darryl

There is not much in the 70-200 IS manual. I use it all the time with a 2X Mk II extender and use it mainly for wildlife. You may want to look at the 2X extender as well. I find I do not use a tripod or monopod with this lense. I boost the ISO to 400 at dusk and the pictures are still very good.

Phil Hall
Santa Ynez

[Transfix]

Don't use the IS feature in conjunction with a tripod. You can do yourself more harm than good.