Considering 70-200IS II

I have been considering selling my excellent copies of the 100-400 and 70-200 f/4 IS for the 70-200IS II.

I have and love the 400 f/5.6 for the long telephoto range, so I still can get to 400 nicely.

This quandry is not helped today by the 70-200IS II being in my Amazon Quick Picks for $2255!

So is this a recommended changeup for my kit? It's so hard to decide, because I am pretty happy with what I have at the moment, but I do think I'd enjoy having the faster 70-200 when needed. I don't have any faster zooms in my lineup (just the nicer f/4 zooms).

What to do!

Are you worried about the price?

Or do you feel the f4 IS you have is the sharpest thing in the world and nothing in the focal range could ever compare?


(you'll have to answer these first )

The question is, are you going to miss the zoom range from 300 - 400?

I am not worried about the price - I have the $$ to cover it until the other lenses are sold. But I am enticed into moving on this today because of the sale.

I like the size of the 70-200 f/4 & it's perfect for everything except shooting from f/2.8 to f/4. However, I have been watching the 70-200 IS II samples for a few weeks and everyone raves about the lens, so that is also enticing me into changing my kit around to try it. I had been thinking of adding the 135L to my kit for a portrait lens, but from all accounts the 70-200 IS II is excellent in that regard.

It's just my practical nature that is making me question the move...

Cheers,
Michelle

mchong75 wrote in post #13357274
The question is, are you going to miss the zoom range from 300 - 400?

That's the question I would be asking too. If the answer really is "no" then I surely don't see any reason not to get the 70-200 II, it's an amazing lens. It's extremely versatile and has become my most-used lens.

mchong75 wrote in post #13357274
The question is, are you going to miss the zoom range from 300 - 400?

I don't think I will miss many shots. I almost always use the 100-400 at either 100 or at 400. Plus I can use a TC for that range.

At 100 I am almost always using an extension tube for macro, so the 70-200 is just fine for that use (possibly better with 4 stop IS).

When I didn't have the 400 f/5.6, I used the 100-400 for birding, etc. and never zoomed it in.

How heavily do you use your 100-400? If you use it a fair amount, I don't think you're going to be as happy combining the 70-200 and 400, myself. And if some part of you is thinking you'll just slap the new, 2x TC on there to get that zoom back, I'd say that you need to test out the exact copy of the lens that you're going to use with a TC before making that decision. Also, if you're planning on shooting wildlife that ISN'T birds in flight, have you tried out the 400 f/5.6 for a bit? I really would miss IS at 400mm for anything aside from BIF which requires a high shutter speed anyway.

I love my 70-200 MkII, but when I tried adding the TC to it to replace the 100-400, it was a pretty abysmal failure, even though other people have had better luck with it.

If you don't actually use the 100-400 much then you might be alright with this trade, though. It all depends on what you're planning to shoot.

Ok, it's complicated. I had the 100-400 and the 400 5.6 for about a year, and used the 400 5.6 alot, and the 100-400 occasionally. Then the 400 got stolen, and I used the 100-400 alot for about the last 5 months. I just got another 400 5.6, so the 100-400 will go back to lighter duty...

What about the 70-200M2 w/ the 1.4x TC? Any good? I am not inclined much toward a 2x TC, but I like the 1.4x TCs OK (I have the 1.4II, and will likely upgrade it).

Mostly when I am out shooting wildlife, I shoot from a blind and I take one body with the 500L mounted, and one body with the 400 5.6. That's how I use my longer teles 95% of the time.

I recently acquired both the 1.4x TC and the 70-200 2.8 II. They work fine together but ofcourse then your're shooting at f4 with the TC on. I have a 300 f4 and i have the reverse of your conundrum which is: should i get the 100-400 or get the 400 f5.6 prime. I'm leaning towards the 100-400 and if you do plan on selling that copy of yours, please let me know

I use the 70-200 II with a 1.4xmkII and find it a really good combination.

There are several threads about these particular lenses and TC performance. One that comes to mind was by this guy: https://photography-on-the.net …p=11838240&post​count=2707

Gicen the usage you describe you'd probably pretty happy going to the 70-200 MkII, then. I still think any TC is a bit if a duce roll; but the 1.4 would be most likely to work well.

I love my 70-200mm f2.8 IS II. I would get it and use 400mm f5.6 for longer reach stuff.

Thanks for all the inputs from everyone... I am leaning toward pulling the trigger on it, and keep all 3 lenses until I decide what system works best.

If I want to sell it, I should be able to get most of my $$ back, and will just consider the small loss a rental fee.

I don't shoot a lot of moving objects. I sold my 70-200 F4 IS and 400 F5.6, I kept the 70-200IS F2.8 II and the TC2 III.

The 70-200 II is simply stellar!