70-200 f2.8 IS MKII non-professional owner - how much use?

I find this thread somewhat confusing - what is it you are worried about?
A 70-200 is a 70-200 ... Professional or not is kind of irrelevant. You don't use a lens more or less because it's an L. Your sig shows you've got a 70-200 f/4 IS. Your usage of that should be enough to tell you. The picture you have in mind comes first not the lens ...

Unless you happen to be one of those people who care about the weight though I'm personally not bothered by it. You haven't mentioned it in any of your posts though.

I'd personally sell the 70-200 f4 IS and get the 200mm f2.8 L Prime but thats just me.

i use it about 50% at weddings and events, but overall i only use about 25%-30% for all types of photography i do.

When I had my 70-200L (and now my Tamron 70-300 VC USD) I used it almost exclusively for paid stuff, pretty much never for myself...so much that I've actually left my Tamron back in Canada (I moved to Korea 2 years ago, one more left) and haven't missed it yet.

Out of the telezooms I have, the one I use most is the EF 70-200 mm f/2.8L IS II USM. Then I'm not really sure if the second is the EF 70-200 mm f/2.8L IS II USM + Extender EF 1.4x III, or if it's instead the EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM used alone.
The telezoom I use the least is the EF 70-200 mm f/4L IS USM. All right, now I totally disregarded the EF 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, but that's used by one of my daughters instead.

I also use the EF 24-105 mm f/4L IS USM quite a lot, but I consider that more of a "standard zoom", rather than a telezoom lens.

When I was shooting crop, very rarely used my MKI... thought it would be good for field sports but too short, thought also portraits but too long. Almost sold it. Now with FF, one of my most used lens' (People/portraits at least) and it is pure magic!

I finally got an event to use my new 70-200 II. Wow, this boy performed just as I hoped it would. I sat in the stands at a basketball game and put my bag in the seat in front of me to keep anyone from having their head right in my line of sight (it wasn't that crowded). I used my monopod setting down. The monopod took all the weight (and this boy is heavy), and I was very comfortable shooting, and I was able to get all the shots I tried for.
I did get some looks from other spectators, but no one commented.
The focus is fantastic. The light was good in this gym, so I was able to use f2.8, 1/400 on most shot, at ISO 3200.
I haven't processed but a few of them, but am satisfied with what I am seeing.

To answer the question of the thread, I will be using the lens for all events like this one and some nature shooting.
The remainder of the time (most of the time), I will use my 17-55 f2.8.
EDIT: I may not be using it that often, but when I do use it for events like basketball, no other lens would come close to the versatility of this one.

Together with the 24-70 F2.8L MKII,it is my most used lens.

While I think its indeed a very good lens I wonder how so many people can use it so often...it's so big and heavy to walk around! And even on FF its somehow not my focal length. 24-70 works better for me - (i know its also heavy).

Antarion wrote in post #15865346
While I think its indeed a very good lens I wonder how so many people can use it so often...it's so big and heavy to walk around! And even on FF its somehow not my focal length. 24-70 works better for me - (i know its also heavy).

the more you use it, the lighter it gets

I opted for the F4 IS. I do keep it in my bag. I always wonder if I should have gotten the 2.8, though.

Ryan0751, can you expand your thoughts a bit? I am thinking I will get the f4 IS and wonder under what situations do you feel the 2.8 would be better? Any real world examples would be great. Thanks.

I have done some random paid gigs here and there, but 99% of all my work is just for personal use. The 70-200 II has been one of my go to lenses since I bought it back in 2010. I really love it!

I *almost* thought about selling it recently, but I decided against it and glad I did... I don't want to let this lens go. It is really, really good.

I always drag it with me anytime I have my gear.. Vacations included. Too heavy? Nah... With a good strap you barely notice!

This is really a good question. I do not have the 70-200, I have the Tamron 70-300VC, and I only use it when I go to the wildlife refuge to shoot birds, beavers, etc. Other than that it mostly sits on a shelf. What do the non-professionals use it for, particularly those who say that it is the most often used lens?

The 70-200/2.8L is probably my most used lens (with the 35L a very close second). I NEVER travel without it; some of my best/favorite shots are with it...

1. Istanbul:

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/fuzzsummit/8633​834121/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/fuzzsummit/6950​439965/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/fuzzsummit/6170​323675/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/fuzzsummit/6201​613298/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/fuzzsummit/7437​052554/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/fuzzsummit/8580​098942/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/fuzzsummit/6170​173751/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/fuzzsummit/8109​717904/