70-200mm F4L IS usm OR F2.8L IS usm??

Help Please ! Canon EF 70 - 200 mm f4L IS USM OR Canon EF 70 - 200mm F2.8L IS USM

The 2.8 is a monster compared to the f4 and the f4 is half the price and almost half the weight and an inch shorter. I have held the f2.8 attached to a body and it is heavy and I dont want to cart around a monopod. Also it is a big lump to take on vacations! I Would use this lens for event photography such as car shows, air shows,boats, sports etc or generally when wanting a little extra reach. Reviews say both are sharp. I have a Canon 5d3 body. Can anyone give me their thoughts please?

All down to whether you need/want f2.8....that is all.

I used to own the f4 IS, but I find f4 way too limiting for me, so I upgraded to the f2.8 with no regrets.

If you feel the 2.8 is too heavy and will stop you from taking it out as often, then the answer is simple. If you don't, and you need f2.8, again, the answer is simple.

I like my f4 IS. It is the perfect weight and size, unlike its 2.8 counterpart which would get left at home far more, and f4 is perfectly fine for me given the ISO capabilities of cameras nowadays (1 stop is nothing, if I need faster than f4, I will need faster than f2.8 therefore the f2.8 version is a waste of effort, money and space as far as I am concerned).

^^^ - what Tom says.

With the 5D3, you're far less likely to encounter situations where one stop limits you - just push the ISO up a notch. I've just got back from the first dog walk of the day with my 7D/70-200mm f/4 IS combination and the weight, balance and usability are perfect for me. I barely know I have it with me. The f/2.8 equivalent is undoubtedly superb but it wouldn't be the long walk-round that fits into my needs.

Welcome ot the forum. Do you really need f/2.8? I had one and sold it just because of the weight and $. Happy with my 70-200/4 L IS. Gene

It doesn't sound like you need the f2.8 aperture, or would be happy with the size/weight.

Get the f4.

Hi Aljdvd6,

Your post is almost screaming F4 at us. Let me enumerate your reasons:

One, size, cost:

Aljdvd6 wrote in post #15874688
Help Please ! Canon EF 70 - 200 mm f4L IS USM OR Canon EF 70 - 200mm F2.8L IS USM

The 2.8 is a monster compared to the f4 and the f4 is half the price and almost half the weight and an inch shorter.

Two, weight:

Three, size, weight:

Four, both have same reach:

Five, both are sharp:

That pretty much just leaves:

So, I'm reading into this, but it just sounds like you're looking for some reassurance before you plop down a load of cash, right?

The 70-200F4L IS is a fine lens. It seems to fit what you're looking for better than the 70-200F2.8L IS.

I myself had to come to terms with F4 vs F2.8. I chose the F4 and am happy with it. Sure, the F2.8 would be awesome, but it doesn't come without its caveats, which you already pointed out.

Sirrith wrote in post #15874713
If you feel the 2.8 is too heavy and will stop you from taking it out as often, then the answer is simple. If you don't, and you need f2.8, again, the answer is simple.

I like my f4 IS. It is the perfect weight and size, unlike its 2.8 counterpart which would get left at home far more, and f4 is perfectly fine for me given the ISO capabilities of cameras nowadays (1 stop is nothing, if I need faster than f4, I will need faster than f2.8 therefore the f2.8 version is a waste of effort, money and space as far as I am concerned).

+1

unless you do tons of sports (f/2.8 needed for indoors and night and helps keep DOF low), it's pretty short for field sports though and usually the WIDE angle field sports lens

Yu could get 70-200 f/4 IS + used 300 f/4 non-IS for close to price of 70-200 2.8. 70-300L is an option if you don't need low DOF.

f/4 IS is actually sharper than the 2.8 IS (non-Mark II)

It's simple really. If you are a professional or if you have money to burn, then get the F/2.8. If you are non-pro or cash strapped, then get the F/4.

Aljdvd6 wrote in post #15874688
Help Please ! Canon EF 70 - 200 mm f4L IS USM OR Canon EF 70 - 200mm F2.8L IS USM


The 2.8 is a monster compared to the f4 and the f4 is half the price and almost half the weight and an inch shorter. I have held the f2.8 attached to a body and it is heavy and I dont want to cart around a monopod. Also it is a big lump to take on vacations! I Would use this lens for event photography such as car shows, air shows,boats, sports etc or generally when wanting a little extra reach. Reviews say both are sharp. I have a Canon 5d3 body. Can anyone give me their thoughts please?

I was an early adopter of the f4 IS. never wanted the f2.8 I or II and never bought either.

I recently sold my f4 IS in favor of the 70-300L which makes more sense to me on a FF camera.

if you need the f2.8 you'd probably already know it. otherwise i'd say choose from eith the f4 IS or the 70-300L. both are spectacular, travel-friendly zooms.

Aljdvd6 wrote in post #15874688
Help Please ! Canon EF 70 - 200 mm f4L IS USM OR Canon EF 70 - 200mm F2.8L IS USM

The 2.8 is a monster compared to the f4 and the f4 is half the price and almost half the weight and an inch shorter. I have held the f2.8 attached to a body and it is heavy and I dont want to cart around a monopod. Also it is a big lump to take on vacations! I Would use this lens for event photography such as car shows, air shows,boats, sports etc or generally when wanting a little extra reach. Reviews say both are sharp. I have a Canon 5d3 body. Can anyone give me their thoughts please?

I have a 7D and 70-200/2.8, I use a custom SLR C-loop, M-plate pro, and glide strap. I have no problem carrying it around all day.

gasrocks wrote in post #15876779
Welcome ot the forum. Do you really need f/2.8? I had one and sold it just because of the weight and $. Happy with my 70-200/4 L IS. Gene

Ditto. If you don't want the heavier lens, get the f4 IS. It's an outstanding lens. I, too, used to own a f2.8 and sold it because of the weight. I've never missed it.

Sirrith wrote in post #15874713
If you feel the 2.8 is too heavy and will stop you from taking it out as often, then the answer is simple. If you don't, and you need f2.8, again, the answer is simple.

I like my f4 IS. It is the perfect weight and size, unlike its 2.8 counterpart which would get left at home far more, and f4 is perfectly fine for me given the ISO capabilities of cameras nowadays (1 stop is nothing, if I need faster than f4, I will need faster than f2.8 therefore the f2.8 version is a waste of effort, money and space as far as I am concerned).

This sums up my feelings. The 5D3 has excellent high ISO capabilities, so unless you want the extra thin depth of field that comes with f/2.8, you should be fine with the f/4 version based on your original post.

I have used the 70-200 f/4 IS with the 5D3 to shoot indoor ice hockey, so it is not just limited to outdoor activities. The lower cost and smaller size/weight are much more important to me than the one stop gained with the f/2.8 version. If I need something faster, I have a 135L that I can bring instead of the 70-200, and still have something light weight.