Yet another satisfied 70-200mm f/2.8 IS customer

[photobuff]

Just pulled my lense out of the UPS box after sitting a week on my floor and strapped it up to the 20D. Bought a UV Haze filter for protection of the lense and clarity and I must say, I am a very happy guy=)
This lense just turned the "fun factor" knob up to 10. Amazing clarity and the bokeh is like butter. I was shooting in lowlight situations I thought not possible without flash at like 1/13 with the IS on...ISO was 800? Impressive clarity and thanks to the 800, no noticable "noise".
Another thing I was pleasantly surprised about was the weight. I was looking at a site with 75 buyer reviews of this lense and at least 80% complained of the weight. When I grabbed the box from the UPS guy, I was about to stop the guy before he left so I could check in the box to make sure the lense was even in it..was expecting a brick. I think it is perfect. Feels well balanced in your hand.
My only con, besides obvious PRICE, is limitation to 200mm. Are there any personal opinions on the 1.4 teleconvertors combo'ed with this lense? Soft images perhaps? Any comments are very welcome.
Planning a double header day tomorrow to the Zoo and an Easy Rider biker show after that. We will see if I change my mind on the weight issue;) Hopefully someone can point me towards the way to post a pic or 2 of my results.....

Seeya,

Steve

[picture-this]

Ya the weight is no big deal cept maybe when I hand hold with the collar and mounting plate left on. Only thing is you gota watch all the lil side switches get moved easy and you might turn off auto focus or somethin. I got this lens and it does everything I bought it for, but ya I am noticing now I need some more reach. I think the next lens purchess will be after I sell some organs on the black market ( 1.4x telly and 400 F4 DO) will fillz the gap nicely. have fun with your new toys

[Thenethiel]

I just ordered this lens and the 1.4x TC, I'll let you know how it looks to me when I get it Monday, if I get a chance to actually try it anyway.

[jfred]

Jealous!!!! Glad to hear you're enjoying it though!

(I will be in the US 18th-28th April... trying to find a decent stockist in/around Santa Clara CA so I can pay a visit with my credit card)

[defordphoto]

The 1.4TC and the 70-200L f/2.8 are a perfect combo. Only kicks you up to 280mm, but every but helps...

[djrambis]

Jealous!!!! Glad to hear you're enjoying it though!

(I will be in the US 18th-28th April... trying to find a decent stockist in/around Santa Clara CA so I can pay a visit with my credit card)

Check out San Jose Camera which is located in Santa Clara County. Here is a link: http://www.sanjosecamera.com/

[DwightMcCann]

I used my 70-200mm f2.8 with the 1.4 TC for the first time last night shooting a Beatles Tribute band and think it worked better with the TC than without. :-) I couldn't tell the difference in brightness. I have also used this lens with the 2.0 TC and there is a noticable "dimming" in the viewfinder to the point of being annoying, and this was in broad daylight on tennis courts. As for it's usefulness, I'd say that getting to 280mm is worth every nickle ... there's just some magic that happens out near 300m that I always like.

[wibbly]

The 1.4TC and the 70-200L f/2.8 are a perfect combo. Only kicks you up to 280mm, but every but helps...

On a 1.6 crop 20D it's the difference between a 'traditional' 200/280 and and 'effective' 320/448. So you multiply the extra 80mm gain by 1.6 too :-)

I just wished the 1.4x worked on my 24-70 :-(

J

[TTP]

The 1.6x multiplier puts the reach out to 448mm..That is very impressive.
I wonder how the 1.4x extender works with the 70-200L f4.0 lense..
Would the results be as good as it is with the 70-200L f2.8 lense?

[eosster]

Wish I had the money for this, LOL.

[photobuff]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I tried the lense out at the bikeshow yesterday afternoon and got some very impressive results. Just dont understand why a convention center only a few years old would have such dim, crappy lighting. I think they had a ceiling light every 40 feet...ridiculous. So, some shots were right ON, and some shots between the lights were a chore...thank GOD for IS;)
I am a novice photographer and I am sure a pro could've manipulated my camera/lense to make masterpieces but for where I am in my own level of knowledge, I was very pleased.
The show was packed and one VERY cool thing was when you would try to find a space to take a picture, everyone would get out of my way because of the awwwwweeee of the lense....asked what magazine I shot for...lol. Kinda like when you have a Crown Vic car and everyone moves over because they think you are a cop...hehe.

Thanks again,
Steve