70 - 200 f/2.8L IS , What photo topics generally used for?

[JCalvert]

I am trying to decide if this lens would suit my interests. I shoot auto racing, nature, architecture, landscapes.

I currently have a 14 - 70L, 28 - 135 IS and a 100 - 400 L IS.

Comments please.

Jim Calvert

[ScottE]

I have the non-IS version of the 70-200/2.8.

It used to be one of my favourite lenses, but after I got a Sigma 50-500 it has seen little use. It may be slightly sharper than the 50-500, but not so much so that I bother carrying the extra weight around for nature photography.

About the only time I use it are when I need the larger aperture such as sports photography on dull days or in low light conditions. I occasionally use it for portraits, because of the shallow depth of field and it is nice to be able to turn the tripod mount into portrait orientation.

When I am travelling I carry it as a back-up lens, together with 1.4x and 2x teleconverters in case the 50-500 gets damaged. With the 1.4x converter it is about as sharp as the 50-500 and with the 2x noticeably softer.

If you have the Canon 100-400 IS there may not be too many situations in which you decide to carry the 70-200 as well.

[PacAce]

I am trying to decide if this lens would suit my interests. I shoot auto racing, nature, architecture, landscapes.

I currently have a 14 - 70L, 28 - 135 IS and a 100 - 400 L IS.

Comments please.

Jim Calvert

I have almost the exact lineup of lenses as you do in addition to the 70-200 f/2.8 IS L. I've used my 70-200 mostly for auto racing but have also used it for nature (wildlife and birds) in conjunction with the 1.4x TC when I didn't want to carry both the 70-200 and the 100-400. And it's my lens of choice when the lightling is low or when shooting indoors without a flash.

[MarkH]

I currently shoot motorsports with a 28-135 IS, I am saving to buy the 70-200 f2.8L IS. I want the longer focal length, plus weather proofing, plus f2.8 and I like IS for the times I shoot in low light (not so much for motorsports, though I might try mode 2 for panning shots).

I shoot several gravel rallies each year like this one: http://www.gigatech.co.nz/Rallysprint2004.htm and I like the fact that the 70-200 doesn't act like a dust pump. Apart from the environmental seals on the 70-200 there is the fact that the lens doesn't change length when focusing or zooming.

With f2.8 the lens should work VERY well with a 1.4x teleconverter with the aperture still able to go to a respectable f4.

There are several bodies that can focus more accurately with a lens that has a max aperture of f2.8 or greater, this makes the 70-200 a better lens in many situations than the 28-135 or the 100-400.

If you shoot enough motorsports then the 70-200 f2.8L IS is a very good lens to have.