EF 70-200mm f4/0L USM?

[photo_luver]

Is this a good zoom lense for bird photography, sports and other things that require alot of zoom?

I love the price even canadian and i also like the look but wish it wasnt white lol

Also maybe some nice pics to show what this lense can do!

Thanks...

[Dante King]

yes, if the action is close enough. A good TC would be a plus for more reach when needed. Or a longer lens. Remember that the crop factor applies unless you have a FF camera.

[willg]

whats wrong with white? i have one and i love it

[tommykjensen]

whats wrong with white? i have one and i love it

Theres absolutely nothing wrong with this lens. It is simply excellent.

However it may not be long enough for serious birding, for that You would need to add at least a 1,4x extender but this might only be enough for birds close by. For really serious birding espeically small birds You need at least 400 mm.

Here is one of my photos shot with this lens without extender.

http://photo.klein-jensen.dk/photohtml.php?n=HarrisHawk1.jpg

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Nope! This lens is a terrible bird photography lens. It can be done, it's just really hard. You have to sneak up rrrrrlllllyyyyy close to the bird to get any kind of decent shot. It's a good large animal at the zoo lens, an absolutely fantastic sports lens, a great people lens, all that good stuff. If you want to do birds and far away stuff your gonna wanna look at a 300mm or a 400mm lens. But 400mm doesn't come cheap, and 300mm doesn't come in L without dropping big $.

Me, I wanted a lotta reach too, but settled for this lens for the time being. Don't regret it at all. I LOVE IT! So sharp, AF is so fast, great lens. And, when I go to sell it to buy a 100-400L, I'll get a great price for it. L's have great resale value.

Anyway, here's a bird pic I took my first day with the 70-200mm f/4L. Also a sports pic.

[photo_luver]

Wow thanks guys for those pics adn advice...

I dont find the white bad but i wish it was a different color.... i dont mind but it looks well... different lol...

It looks very sharp and very quick by the reviews that i haave seen... its a pretty cheap L lens and a great quality too...

Will it work better with the 20D or the 350XT? i find the 20D has more features but the 350XT is smaller and great for a walking around portable camera... but i think the 20D would work way better...

Once i can get the money for a 300mm-400mm i think ill get this lens for the quality and great price.. are there any other lenses that are this good and same price or a little more expensive? doesnt matter on brand as long as it fits the canon!

Thanks Guys...

PL

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

I'd have to say it'll work better on the 20D. At 5fps you can't go wrong with the 20D + 70-200f/4L combo. Just my opinion, but I can't stand the XT. Far to small, and all the buttons for the settings are freaky. The 20D is just so incredibly easy to use. With the scroll wheel and everything, woah, so sweet. And the feel, size, it's great. XT is all plasticy and feels like a toy, 20D feels like a real camera. The XT would be incredibly dwarfed by that lens too. The XT is a whole different camera when it's got a big lens on it!!! I donno, it's up to you. Go to a local store, as to see the lens, and cameras. Then, put the lens on each give em both a go and see what you think.

[photo_luver]

Totally agree with the above post!

The 20D is much larger and carrying a larger camera and lens is actually going to get me into shape! lol

this lens i guess wouldnt be good for bird photography but if i plop a chair up on the deck and have a clear view of the feeder im sure i wont have a problem to let the birds come to me!

What about the other lenses for bird photography... i know the 300mm and 400mm have been said and im sure there great lenses but ive been scopping the EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS USM... looks like a great lens for that kinda stuff what do you guys think this or that?

PL...

[lancea]

Depends how friendly the birds are and how big they are :) No, seriously. In a protected environment, e.g. an island or large santuary, you can get really close to even small birds. I've found a 50 (on a 35mm SLR) was suitable sometimes - and a 200 was ample. But in an unprotected environment 200mm just isn't enough unless you're lucky or very patient. I've not done sports photography. Otherwise I find the 70-200 is a great lens.

The lens isn't white. The B&H web photo is pretty close to the correct colour. It's a very subdued beige. The only thing that makes this lens conspicuous is the size with the lood attached. Without the hood, it's not overwhelming at all. There's a number of threads on the subject - I too thought it would be white and was pleasantly surprised to find it wasn't.

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Yea, lancea is right. It's not like a bright white, it's sort of dulled down. Beige like he said. It's also pretty small and light. I thought it would be far larger, and I was very surprised when I took it out of the box. Without the lens hood, it's not very big at all. Put the lens hood on and there's a big difference. I personally like that though. Having a big lens that makes people stare can be a great feeling. :-)

[photo_luver]

Thanks i think thats what i needed.... this is now my next lens!

PL...

[lancea]

You won't regret it. There's a lot of posts in these forums saying "buy the 2.8 IS", but I'm sure you've looked at the weight and price of that thing! If I could afford one I'd still want the f/4 as well because it's so much lighter. In the short time I've had mine there's only been the odd occasion where f/2.8 would have been useful (so I could use a higher shutter speed), but compensating by increasing ISO works pretty well. Far better to put the money you save towards something else - in your case I guess it will be a 400 or 500! ;)

[cfcRebel]

...but ive been scopping the EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS USM... looks like a great lens for that kinda stuff what do you guys think this or that?

PL...
That's my next bird lens. There are quite a few members here often post their bird shots taken with 100-400L. Or u can do a search "100-400". I realize the 70-200L is too short for bird photography. So i decide to use the fund + more savings to get the 100-400L.

[Chazs]

..... I thought it would be far larger, and I was very surprised when I took it out of the box. Without the lens hood, it's not very big at all. Put the lens hood on and there's a big difference. I personally like that though. Having a big lens that makes people stare can be a great feeling. :-)

Same thought exactly. I just got mine today and was expecting it to be a lot bigger. It's pretty impressive looking with the hood and the 1.4x TCon, but by itself it's not bad at all. I can see why every one is happy about this lens.