Considering the jump!

Hey guys, I am looking to make the big jump. Going from my canon 55-250 IS to the Canon L 70-200 IS. I was wondering if you guys know any stores that are having some good deals, or have good financing options? Thanks!

What are you shooting? Portraits, wildlife, etc?

Of course it is your money and therefore your choice ultimately, but I would strongly advise against any financing options for an upgrade.

Other than that, I would recommend going for the 70-200 f4 IS instead.

Don't jump until you can pay cash for the lens.

I shoot motor sports, and with the upcoming season, there is a lot. Why do you guys recommend cash, and the F4?

Keedo wrote in post #15788309
I shoot motor sports, and with the upcoming season, there is a lot. Why do you guys recommend cash, and the F4?

How you buy your lens is none of their business. I'm not sure why they think it is.

Spend your money how you want to spend it. It's your money. Personally, this is not something I need but something I want so I can wait till I afford it with cash. But everyone is different.
Now with that said, I have the F4L IS and I love it. VERY SHARP photos at F4 throughout the 70-200mm range.
With the Digic 4 sensor, same as the T3i, I was shooting an indoor play at ISO6400 with no issues. I believe ISO5000, F4 and 1/250 and then some minor editing in Lightroom and the photos came out pretty good. Some motion blur here and there but well worth it. I know I could of gotten the F2.8 but this would of probably the only time I wished I had it in the year I have had it and normally wouldn't of had my camera but I wanted to test what the 60D @ ISO 6400 can do.

there are deals of 15% off refurbished lenses from canon...

is 200mm going to be long enough for the motorsports you shoot?

shedberg wrote in post #15788336
How you buy your lens is none of their business. I'm not sure why they think it is.

+1
Lotsa "pseudo" financial advisers here.

shedberg wrote in post #15788336
How you buy your lens is none of their business. I'm not sure why they think it is.

cheezz wrote in post #15788377
+1
Lotsa "pseudo" financial advisers here.

I made it clear that it is HIS money and HIS choice, however, that doesn't mean I or anyone else is forbidden to offer advice with nothing but good intention.


To the OP, people are recommending cash payment vs credit/financing simply because it is easy to get yourself into a financial pickle when buying "toys" when you can't afford or don't actually have the money in the bank to pay for it upfront. My opinion is that credit cards/financing should be reserved for needs and not wants. Again, only my opinion and in no way passing judgement on you or your character.

As far as the F4 IS...I made the recommendation because it is a sharper lens.

It really depends on what type of motor sports what tracks your shooting at on which lenses would work.

You'd most likely be better to keep the 55-250 for when you can get close enough and something longer when you can't.

The f4 IS is one of the sharper 70-200's while being smaller, lighter, and cheaper(than the sharper ones) than the f2.8s. When shooting motor sports you're usually stopping down a lot so you can get slow enough shutter speeds for good back ground motion blur or to keep tire motion blur when freezing cars/bikes, so f4 is usually more than fast enough.

Forget what I said; I strongly recommend that you look at the Sigma 200-500 f/2.8 and make sure that you purchase it using a high interest credit card making only the minimal monthly payments.

Only a fool would make sacrifices to save up the necessary funds to pay cash for a luxury item.

I've haven't paid cash for so much as a candy bar since grocery stores started accepting credit cards. Cash is obsolete. Credit is good; debt is a way of life. Buy the lens already. Nobody really cares how you pay for it, except the party you are buying it from.

Rocky Rhode wrote in post #15790311
Forget what I said; I strongly recommend that you look at the Sigma 200-500 f/2.8 and make sure that you purchase it using a high interest credit card making only the minimal monthly payments.

Only a fool would make sacrifices to save up the necessary funds to pay cash for a luxury item.

TSchrief wrote in post #15791093
I've haven't paid cash for so much as a candy bar since grocery stores started accepting credit cards. Cash is obsolete. Credit is good; debt is a way of life. Buy the lens already. Nobody really cares how you pay for it, except the party you are buying it from.

Reverse Psychology? Whatever, nevermind.

I didnt need and could not afford the 70-200 2.8 But I'm glad I have it, its an awesome lens. I'm glad I didnt sacrifice on a 4.0 because of the cost.

My grand father said... Buy the best the first time & you only **** once. Buy something cheap, you'll **** twice, first when you get it, then when you replace it with the best.