I'm finally getting the 70-200 2.8L!!!

[OneManArmy]

Yep, switched some $ around a bit and am about to get a 70-200 2.8L I've wanted that lens for SO long.

No, no IS.

24-70 2.8L, you better LOOK OUT - I've got you in my sights!

* Rapidly fans self *

[DaveG]

Yep, switched some $ around a bit and am about to get a 70-200 2.8L I've wanted that lens for SO long.

No, no IS.

24-70 2.8L, you better LOOK OUT - I've got you in my sights!

* Rapidly fans self *

I've got one myself and I love it. Get a monopod too. It's a poor man's IS.

[OneManArmy]

Dave,

One thing I'm worried about is its performance in something like a basketball gym type lighting situation. I definitely can't use a flash. I MAY have to sell my 50mm 1.4 to cover funds for this. But I figured the focus speed will be far superior on the 70-200 to help offset the low light performance of the 1.4 Thoughts? Do you have a 50mm 1.4?

[Deckyon]

I love this lens. Use it a lot. I have both the 50mm f/1.4 and the 70-200 f/2.8 IS L. I use them both, but will go with the 70-200 over the 50... I like the range of the zoom and the extra reach. If you are worried about the exposure, set your ISO higher (800-1600) A little noise for basketball would not be too bad...

my 70-200 is easily my most-used lens.

[Incomplete Pete]

I adore my 70-200, then again it is my only L lens! lol

[OneManArmy]

After shifting some funds around, I'm about to get the 24-70 and the 70-200, and a lighting kit, probably alien bees. Brad, I noticed you have the 16-35, what do you use that for? I'm mainly interested in portraiture and sports, and can't see needing a lens that wide. Just curious if you did landsapes or big group shots. Your setup is very much like mine will be shortly, save for the 1d :o

[Deckyon]

I use the 16-35 for indoor group shots, like at parties where there is not a lot of room to take "snapshots" with a normal lens (too narrow a field of view) and for landscape and cityscape shots. I love wide angle distortion on buildings and old cars. I found with my old G3 I shot with the Wide-angle conversion lens more than with the camera without a conversion lens. If I am going to a group function or party, I take the 16-35 so I do not have to stand back so far. Granted I could probably do the same with the 24-70, but at 24mm, the lens is 2x as long, plus it is a significantly heavier lens than the 16-35. It is a great lens.

[OneManArmy]

I use the 16-35 for indoor group shots, like at parties where there is not a lot of room to take "snapshots" with a normal lens (too narrow a field of view) and for landscape and cityscape shots. I love wide angle distortion on buildings and old cars. I found with my old G3 I shot with the Wide-angle conversion lens more than with the camera without a conversion lens. If I am going to a group function or party, I take the 16-35 so I do not have to stand back so far. Granted I could probably do the same with the 24-70, but at 24mm, the lens is 2x as long, plus it is a significantly heavier lens than the 16-35. It is a great lens.
Thanks Deckon. I was also asking because last time I checked it was VERY expensive.