Which is sharper 70-200 2.8 or 4?

[retro]

As above....which is sharper? Of course I am interested in a answer that is not taking the IS into consideration.....NO IS, what's the best bang? Time to push order soon.

[mrclark321]

Just curious...were are you buying from? Canada or States. It's so damn expensive here ( Ont. )Any idea how much to get it across the border for duty,customs and such?


Dan

[retro]

Actually the dollar is still doing rather well so I will continue to buy from bhphotovideo.com until the dollar comes down or I buy all of their stock...../file chapter 11.

[mrclark321]

It's $555.00 US but how much to get it over the border?

They want almost $1000 in Canada

[tim]

Judge for yourself - both are excellent lenses.

http://www.slo-foto.net/reviews-56.html

[retro]

It's $555.00 US but how much to get it over the border?

They want almost $1000 in Canada

I would almost guarantee you $800 or less to your door. I am constantly happy with the pricing and shipping that they supply.

[retro]

Judge for yourself - both are excellent lenses.

http://www.slo-foto.net/reviews-56.html

Thanks TIM. I have seen the light and clouds are shaped F4....

[norcal99]

As has been already said, both are very good lenses optically. From my experience, I don't see muh difference in optical quality (minus f/2.8 vs. f/4). With both lenses at f/5.6, I couldn't even tell a difference.

[willg]

im looking at the f4 because its more reasonable all around i believe...f/4 is faster than any non-L in the range and the size is much easier to carry around than the 2.8 and of course the price tag has something to do with it considering i am a college student

[CyberDyneSystems]

They are so close you will not be able to discern any difference.

[Skip Souza]

They are so close you will not be able to discern any difference.
A truly difinitive answer to the question.

[retro]

That really was a great link that was posted to help me compare both lenses. I've ordered my f4 today.

Robert

[bikers1]

Thanks for the truly useful link,

I've been pondering on what to buy next, looks like an F4, pity it's $1000 US in the UK :(

[transcend]

At worst to get it across the border, you will pay $40 brokerage (with UPS) and 15% tax. There is no duty on camera bodies or lenses.

[ScottE]

It's $555.00 US but how much to get it over the border?

They want almost $1000 in Canada

B&H has the 200/4 for about $570 USD. When they ship it to Canada you will be charged PST, GST, shipping and a customs clearing fee.

The Camera Store in Calgary has it for about $870 CAD. They charge GST but no PST and shipping is $10 anywhere in Canada I believe.

www.thecamerastore.com

When you add up all the costs and convert to Canadian dollars, B&H is probably slightly cheaper. What happens if you need warranty repairs on a US sourced lens or decide you want to ship it back and have to try and get the customs charges back? For the potential hassle and small savings I would be inclined to buy from The Camera Store.

I ordered my 10-22 from there a couple of weeks ago. I ordered it on Saturday and it arrived on Tuesday. You wait a lot longer than that for an order to arive from B&H.

Scott

[mrclark321]

Being in Ontario do I not have to pay PST?

[mrclark321]

retro when you get your lense would you mind sharing the total price it cost you, I would be very interested.

Thanks Dan

[cfcRebel]

retro when you get your lense would you mind sharing the total price it cost you, I would be very interested.

Thanks Dan
Did i just see someone head to his freezer? :lol:

[retro]

B&H has the 200/4 for about $570 USD. When they ship it to Canada you will be charged PST, GST, shipping and a customs clearing fee.

The Camera Store in Calgary has it for about $870 CAD. They charge GST but no PST and shipping is $10 anywhere in Canada I believe.

www.thecamerastore.com

When you add up all the costs and convert to Canadian dollars, B&H is probably slightly cheaper. What happens if you need warranty repairs on a US sourced lens or decide you want to ship it back and have to try and get the customs charges back? For the potential hassle and small savings I would be inclined to buy from The Camera Store.

I ordered my 10-22 from there a couple of weeks ago. I ordered it on Saturday and it arrived on Tuesday. You wait a lot longer than that for an order to arive from B&H.

Scott

Wow. Never heard of these guys. I will definately be sending them some business shortly. That way I can keep it local as well!

[karusel]

They're pretty close, although quite differend race horses. According to MTF charts, 2.8 is as sharp yet slightly contrastier than 4.0, both wide open at 200mm, it should give better bokeh as well. At 70mm end, the f/4 wins as far as my interpretation skills are concerned. The 2.8L is likely to deliver slightly better overall picture at 4.0 then the 4.0L version, but I bet you wouldn't be able to tell them apart even at 200% or whatever. :)

tim, how did you find that page? It's like, one of my favorite pages in Slovenia, which is where I'm from. :D

[Citizensmith]

Various reviews rate either the 4 or the 2.8 as better. As has been said, they are so close you won't be able to really tell a difference. Sample variation between copies of 1 lens are probably greater than the differences between the two.

So really the big deal is f/4 - Smaller, Lighter, Cheaper. Or f/2.8 faster. My money went on the f/4.

[PhilHaw]

Thanks for the truly useful link,

I've been pondering on what to buy next, looks like an F4, pity it's $1000 US in the UK :(

I got the f4 from 7dayshop.com for £399. If you happen to have bought the EOS 350D or 20D recently you can send off an voucher included with the camera and claim £70 cashback from Canon on that particular lens:)

[Andy_T]

At f/2.8, the 2.8 will definitely give you better pictures :wink:

At all other apertures, you will not see much of a difference.

Best regards,
Andy

[mrclark321]

Retro did you get your lense yet? I just ordered one and total cost with shipping and taxes was $904 Can.

Dan

[spoolin_photography]

it would of been nice if they included the 70-200 f2.8 L IS in the test

[rg-tom]

Don't forget the sigma guys ;) priced nearer the F4 yet gives you the extra stop and is still damn good optically...or so everyone says

[SAZABI]

It's $555.00 US but how much to get it over the border?

They want almost $1000 in Canada

1. order it, have it shipped to the border. There are lots of parcel-handling service at the border.

2. bring the body down, drive across the border.

3. get the lens, put it on the body, throw away the box.

4. 0 duty, 0 tax, no warranty, no box anymore. :p

[mrclark321]

I ordered it from Leos Camera in BC an total came to $904 Can.1. order it, have it shipped to the border. There are lots of parcel-handling service at the border.

2. bring the body down, drive across the border.

3. get the lens, put it on the body, throw away the box.

4. 0 duty, 0 tax, no warranty, no box anymore. :p

[drisley]

Being in Ontario do I not have to pay PST?
Why not? Ontario has 8% GST.
If you order camera equipment from the states, you only pay PST+GST. There are no duties.
You pay a brokerage only if you use UPS, so always select US Post or Fedex.

[mrclark321]

Since I baught this from BC and it is being shipped I don't have to pay PST (8%)
(GST 7%)

Dan

[drisley]

Doh, ok I missed that. Definately, you dont pay PST from another province withing Canada.
Although, some provinces, including my own are trying to change that.
Here, you are SUPPOSED to pay PST, even on goods ordered from other provinces (they passed the law last year).
However, I asked the people in charge how they are going to enforce that. They said it's on the "honour system". *lol*
Yeah right! No way jose!

[Persian-Rice]

Drisley Bear is right, except that UPS doesnt charge brokerage if you don't use UPS ground. USPS is snail mail and Fedex tends to be expensive...... From my experience, UPS have the best service of the couriers

ScottE, they only wont charge PST if you live outside Alberta. If you live in Alberta, you will pay PST as well. retro, you are better off getting it from CameraCanada for $845 and save about $70 on the PST.
OR
You could do what I do, drive across the border to get it. The cost of gas is far less then the price you will pay for shipping and taxes.

Heres the math BTW.

Price+Shipping+Taxes

Buy in Province Expresspost = 850+20+130 = $1000
Buy Out of Province Expresspost= 850+25+60 = $935
Buy From B&H UPS Expedited = (560)710+(31)40+110 = $860
And thats with the current ****ty rate.

B&H is still the cheapest and you will get it in three business days, Expresspost will take about four. No biggie.

[blinking8s]

I like the 2.8 more, the 4 is a great lens, I own the 4, but I regret not saving for the 2.8, just feels a notch up, AF more solid on the 2.8 and I found myself in lower light situations really needing the 2.8

Id love to own both, but if I could do it all over again, I would have got the 2.8 first

[mrclark321]

If you buy from B&H you have to pay PST and GST.
Mine came to $904 delivered and I have been told if you baught it US Canon Canada will not warranty it!!!
Drisley Bear is right, except that UPS doesnt charge brokerage if you don't use UPS ground. USPS is snail mail and Fedex tends to be expensive...... From my experience, UPS have the best service of the couriers

ScottE, they only wont charge PST if you live outside Alberta. If you live in Alberta, you will pay PST as well. retro, you are better off getting it from CameraCanada for $845 and save about $70 on the PST.
OR
You could do what I do, drive across the border to get it. The cost of gas is far less then the price you will pay for shipping and taxes.

Heres the math BTW.

Price+Shipping+Taxes

Buy in Province Expresspost = 850+20+130 = $1000
Buy Out of Province Expresspost= 850+25+60 = $935
Buy From B&H UPS Expedited = (560)710+(31)40+110 = $860
And thats with the current ****ty rate.

B&H is still the cheapest and you will get it in three business days, Expresspost will take about four. No biggie.

[Persian-Rice]

mrclarck, I included GST & PST, thats what the $110 is, which is on the total amount including shipping. Exchange rates differ so taxes on highter dollar amount etc etc. Your warranty is fine if you buy a Canon.

I purchased my both my Mamiya and Arca-Swiss from B&H a few months ago, I paid just over $1200 in taxes............I unfortunatly know they charge taxes. I wish I had the time to drive there to get them..........

[mrclark321]

Thanks...Have to look at this next time I get another lense....Are you sure about the waranty thing. Were heading south next year and I would like to get another lense....maybe the 50mm 1.4 or the Tamron 28-75. I have made too many quick purchases that cost me too much money, I have to learn to have some patience!! LOL ....I think the 70-200mmf/4 will be a wise choice!!

Dan

[Persian-Rice]

look at the warranty card............says Canada & USA. Just dont buy the import model, the USA one is the one you want...........

[mrclark321]

Don;t you need your bill of sale for warranty work? If it is purchased in the states will Canon Canada still warranty it?