70-200 4L - good choice?

[Outdoor23]

Im thinking about buying a 70-200 4/L w/1.4 converter, since Im going to use this for a lot of nature and wildlife photography and I don't really want to use a tripod since I will be doing a lot of hiking. Please give me some advice if I should still consider buyng this lens without the IS feature.

*there will be times where i will need to use the camera while on a boat/bus/plane/car.

Thanks!

[Rokkorfan]

It's the sharpest 70-200mm made by Canon, and is a pleasure to use. I just sold mine to a colleague after replacing it with the f/2.8 IS version, but I probably should have kept it. The f/2.8 is a lovely lens, and IS is handy, but it is so big and heavy that it is not a travel lens.

By the way, for nature and wildlife the 200mm is not nearly long enough. You should be considering something that has at least 300mm at the long end - maybe even the 100-400mm L IS.

Cheers,

Antony

[GeneMan88]

I think the 70-200 f/4L can be a good choice for outdoor/wildlife photography... I used mine the other day to snap some pics of a couple of wood peckers in a tree up the street from my house. I don't usually take photos of wildlife... Here's the link...

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=68176

But, me thinks that if you're gonna be taking a whole lot more wildlife photos, you might really consider a 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L or have the 70-200 f/4L & a 300 f/4L IS prime lens. I have no experience with either lenses, but with the 70-200... I wish I could have reached just a bit further for a closer look at those birds. If you ask on the wildlife photo forum, you might get better input from those who have used these or longer lenses.

[Jon]

You're normally going to need much more than 200 mm for wildlife. I know it's 3x the price, but the 100-400 L is the hands-down (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=59931) favourite nature/wildlife zoom around here.

[mgash]

I have the 70-200f4 and it is a great lense, but for some the f4 is limiting. I mainly shoot nature scenes, and always use a tripod, so for me the f4 is fine. Also by getting this lense I save money and weight in my backpack.

[Citizensmith]

It's a great lens for the price. Reasonably small and portable. Mine lives in the side pocket of my LowePro Offtrail 2 (although the hood has to live in the center section). The other 70-200s and the 100-400 do offer distinct advantages but at a greatly increased size and cost. I've not really missed the f/2.8 and IS, and rarely use a tripod, but I do occasionally find the lens a bit short. I'm considering either getting a 1.4 TC or saving for the 300 f/4 IS, but I will definitely keep the 70-200 f/4.

[blue_max]

I have the 100-300 Non USM lens and took this of 'our' woodpecker. This is in suburban North London. It seems very different to the US version.

Graham

[LadyHawk]

I find my 20-200mm too short for many of the wildlife shots I try to take. Can't get close enough to fill the frame!:confused:

[condyk]

70-200 is too short, even with the 1.4x. It's a lovely lens and if you can afford it probably should be in everyone's kit bag. A good carry around lens if length is more important than width. If you can't afford to have it AND a longer lens, and wildlife is really your thing, then you need something 400mm or more. With your 1.4x then you will be nicely covered.

[loebas]

Have the same question as you and started the below thread. Hope this makes more clear to you.
In the nature and animals forum you can find two photos from deer that I took with a 70-200 f4 no converter.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=68508

Cropped it a bit. You have to be lucky to get such a photo with a 70-200.
According to me you need at least 300 mm or more (money1!!)


http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=67264

[swiftybilko]

Here's an image I took with my 70-200L f4 today. I'm VERY impressed with it. Forgive me if I've inserted my (first) pic incorrectly.

http://www.photography-cafe.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10064/part.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:%20window.close%28%29)

[Stosh]

Great pic. Very encouraging as I ordered a 70-200 4L from B&H on Sunday to replace my 80-200 f4.5-5.6

Now I just need to work on my photography skills.

[021411]

Nice picture. I just placed an order for one also from BH. I really hope I get a good copy.

[cactusclay]

You got my vote, I really like that lens, light, sharp, great for outdoors, or indoors with a flash.

[Andy D]

I would say it is a great choice!
This was taken with mine (no cropping of the image at all)

AndyD