In the Market for a 70-200L

Hello,

I would like to purchase the 70-200mm for my 7D. I am using this for videography mostly but I am on a serious budget. Of course, the best bang for my buck would be to find the lowest price, most recent manufactured, used f4 copy. These usually go for around $500. The only thing is, $500 is alot to spend and I dont want to wish I had a 2.8. Though I cant afford it. Any suggestions? Anyone else use the 70-200 f4 for videography? I also feel as though I would only be able to use this lens outside or in a well-lit area.... The 7D doesnt do well with low light like the 5D from what I have researched. And I follow a strict rule of never using more than 800 ISO for video....

Thanks in advance!

If you expose properly, you should be able to go as high as ISO 6400 with your 7D. I have shot ice hockey with the 7D + 70-200 f/4 IS combo. I cannot help with the video questions, though, as I strictly do still photography.

Yea thats the problem. With Videography the look of a clip with a significantly higher ISO will look kinda wierd or at least noticable when mixed with properly exposed clips...

If you don't want f4 you may just have to wait and save up. Unless you need it for a shoot then rent it for that time. You don't want to buy then have to sell, although you could sell for what you paid for


EDIT: keep an eye out on the for sale boards here. I saw a 70-200 2.8 go for a great price this week. Also I see a good amount of 80-200 2.8 for sale for a good price.

Take a look at the 3rd party 70-200 2.8, though at your budget, don't be planning on having IS even with the 3rd party. The 2.8 versions of the Sigma and Tamaron have both had decent reviews for what they are in the market at their price point. If you're willing to go lightly used it should be doable on your budget. The f4s will have the advantage of being lighter if you're not shooting from a tripod.

I have a sigma 70-200 2.8 for sale in the classified section....

IF money is no object its best to have both f4 and f2.8. The 2.8 is so much more heavy. The F4 is small and light and so very nice. If you have f4 and shoot ANY indoor I think you will kick yourself. The 2.8 is a full stop. Now in ten years when we have ISO 10 billion with clean pics it might not matter, but today shooting iso 3200 compared to iso 6400 can save you noise(not saying 6400 is junk I have used it several times).

Take a hard look at a used sigma with OS.

helloilovephotography wrote in post #15357398
Hello,

I would like to purchase the 70-200mm for my 7D. I am using this for videography mostly but I am on a serious budget. Of course, the best bang for my buck would be to find the lowest price, most recent manufactured, used f4 copy. These usually go for around $500. The only thing is, $500 is alot to spend and I dont want to wish I had a 2.8. Though I cant afford it. Any suggestions? Anyone else use the 70-200 f4 for videography? I also feel as though I would only be able to use this lens outside or in a well-lit area.... The 7D doesnt do well with low light like the 5D from what I have researched. And I follow a strict rule of never using more than 800 ISO for video....

Thanks in advance!

Save for a 70-200 4 is or get the new 2.8 is v2 you won't regret it

Saw a sigma 50-150 2.8 os go for under $700 recently. Might be a good fit on your crop body?

Do you need stabilization?

Two things.
1.) The Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 OS HSM is a fantastic lens at less than 1/2 the price of the EF II.
2.) Your are misguided in your self-limitation of ISO 800. I have gotten good shots at 6400. I consider 12,800 an emergency situation, but a mediocre shot is a lot better than no shot. ETTR + PP can make 6400 look really good.

He's talking about video, people. 800 iso in images is much different than 800 iso for videos. I also wouldn't want to go above 800.

When in doubt?....Slide
When in doubt? ...Punt
When in doubt? ...Image Stabilization

I have both the f/4 L IS and f/2.8 L IS Mark II.
The 2.8 is my go to lens. Period. However when times for taking the f/4 call, I am still impressed not only with the image quality, but also how nice it is to work light every once in a while. I still and will keep both in my arsenal. I absolutely recommend the f/4 L Image Stabilization if weight and cost are a concern.