Wedding Photogs - Is the 70-200 f/2.8L IS II worth the money?

More specifically what I want you guys to help me with is the IS II worth the extra money over the standard 70-200 f/2.8L?

Why I ask is I NEVER shoot at a wedding ceremony etc under 1/100sec I try to always get up past 1/160. If this is the case will the IS really be helping me that much or is the extra $1000 going to waste? I currently have the 70-200 f/4L IS and its not fast enough for every situation, the Mark II does its job but I want the extra stop but not sure if i want to shell out the extra 1000 for the IS.

Thanks

I've shot my 70-200 at 200mm and 1/20th that came out so crisp, you'd think I was on tripod. It's unbelievable! Not much effort to get that either.

yes

The Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L IS II is simply one of the best lenses produced. It is worth every dollar.

spesmeadeus wrote in post #14069445
More specifically what I want you guys to help me with is the IS II worth the extra money over the standard 70-200 f/2.8L?

Why I ask is I NEVER shoot at a wedding ceremony etc under 1/100sec I try to always get up past 1/160. If this is the case will the IS really be helping me that much or is the extra $1000 going to waste? I currently have the 70-200 f/4L IS and its not fast enough for every situation, the Mark II does its job but I want the extra stop but not sure if i want to shell out the extra 1000 for the IS.

Thanks

Never shooting below 1/100 tells me you either have some brighter churches than me or you're willing to shoot at very high ISO's.

Either way you will find IS to be helpful during the ceremony as subject motion is not as big an issue and 1/50 or 1/60 is often good enough, and that is where IS is worth the money. On a good day using my best Joe McNally "da grip" technique I can handhold 200mm at 1/100 and get sharp files no problem, but on a bad day I can't.

I just bought a used 70-200 2.8 version 1 and find it awesome but understand that version 2 is even better. My advice is get the IS .. I've yet to see anyone unhappy with it.

Another yes.

I think Every wedding photographer went through this debate... including me.
I had a 135L and NON-IS 70-200 a few months back. I thought loooong and hard about selling the two for a 70-200 IS II because I loved the 135L so much.
I finally sold both for 70-200 IS II. And I'll tell you one thing, I kicked myself so hard for not getting one sooner!! I get sharp shots at 1/15 of a sec at 200mm, NO JOKE! I obviously try to use a steady technique but still... 1/15 at 200mm?! Where do you see a lens that can do that? Not to mention the IQ, focus speed, sharpness, etc. Personally I think this lens should cost around $3k (dont tell Canon) because it's THAT good.

well it seems to me that people kind of have a unanimous opinion about this subject. I don't mind buying it, I will have it insured with my other gear but i was just trying to judge if it was really worth the extra coin.

Anyone care to share one of those sub 1/60th photos from a wedding here for me?

spesmeadeus wrote in post #14071003
well it seems to me that people kind of have a unanimous opinion about this subject. I don't mind buying it, I will have it insured with my other gear but i was just trying to judge if it was really worth the extra coin.

Anyone care to share one of those sub 1/60th photos from a wedding here for me?

I see OP still needs wants to be convinced
1/60 is nothing. What's really hard to believe is getting SHARP phoos from 1/20 or 1/30

Another yes.

I would like to add another yes to this. Super lens. A real work horse.

Nick5 wrote in post #14069682
The Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L IS II is simply one of the best lenses produced. It is worth every dollar.

x 1000 Nothing even close!

dadgummit wrote in post #14073571
x 1000 Nothing even close!

I agree it is one of the best produced, yet I have to say I wouldn't say not even close to anything else. My 85LII is pretty sharp