Shooting people indoors: 70-200 f/4 IS vs f/2.8, vs 135L

I'm doing enough event-type photography where I'm shooting people indoors that I feel an extra lens investment may be justified. I'd like to upgrade my standard zoom (right now I use the 24-105) one day, but the more pressing need right now is that I don't have anything longer than 105 in my bag for full-frame.

I'm considering either the 70-200 f/4 IS or the 70-200 f/2.8. The f/2.8 IS II would obviously be the ultimate, but I'm mostly doing these shoots on a volunteer basis, so budget doesn't justify it.

Using the shutter speed/focal length rule, I'd need to use at least 1/200 shutter speed at 200mm on the f/2.8 for reasonably sharp pictures, and I find I need to use about that to get sharp shots of people moving around anyways, so I'm wondering if the non-IS version will suffice for my needs.

That being said I did own the f/4 IS in the past, and that was a really good lens, and I loved the smaller size and weight. I sold it because I wasn't using it much back then, but I think it's worth re-acquiring at this point if need be.

Those two lenses are my "primary" options, but I'm also considering other options, such as the 135L, or saving some dough and getting the 70-200 f/4 non-IS (just keep ISO up on my 6D) and pairing it with a fast prime like the 100 f/2.8 macro (which would also give me some versatility for macro shots as well).

Not too familiar with the third-party options in this range but if there is a good lens there I'm willing to consider it. But I think the big question for me is 70-200 f/2.8 vs f/4 IS

I'd go with the 70-200 F4IS. Lighter weight, better optically, and the IS will give you four stops of stabilization, which translates to four stops of light gathering (vs the 1 stop the 2.8 grants) as you drop your shutter speed.

135L is a fantastic portrait lens, but is very hard to use as an indoor event lens, as its not a very versatile focal length.

Is there a reason for not looking at the Tamron 70-200 2.8 VC or Sigma 70-200 2.8 OS as options? Many here consider the Tammy to be knocking on the mk2's door in most facets and the budget is right where you are looking (or for slightly less the Sigma works)

Here are some links to user reviews on this forum.

Tamron 70-200 2.8 VC vs Canon 70-200 2.8 ISmk2

Tamron 70-200 2.8 VC vs the Sigma 70-200 2.8 OS

With the Tammy you could be pretty much getting close to mk2 quality with a longer warranty and a budget that matches the f4 you are contemplating. Would also provide you the flexibility of IS and 2.8 at that lower budget.

werds wrote in post #17036309
Is there a reason for not looking at the Tamron 70-200 2.8 VC or Sigma 70-200 2.8 OS as options?

Nope, hence why I posted I'm also interested in 3rd party lenses as possible options. Is there a clear cut "better one" among these two?

For event photography, any issues with the 2.8 being too shallow DOF at the longer end of the 70-200? I'm going to guess at something like 180mm f/2.8 would be razor thin, wondering how this would work for capturing more than 1 person.

The Dark Knight wrote in post #17036312
Nope, hence why I posted I'm also interested in 3rd party lenses as possible options. Is there a clear cut "better one" among these two?

Sorry, recheck the post above - I edited in some links to reviews by POTN posters comparing them all And most reviews claim the Tamron to be the clear cut winner between the 3rd party ones and just slightly behind the mk2 in overall ability/quality at a much lower price point.

f2.8. You can always stop down but not get f2.8 with f4 lens.

I would consider the 135 L since you value smaller size and weight. As a bonus, it is less expensive than some of your other options.

I agree with the above where it all comes down to what you value more. Weight and size = 135L
Flexibility = 70-200

After that decision it just comes down to budget and what compromise you prefer. I agree that wide open aperture is sought after by me only because when it is dark I can always wish for a wider aperture, and when I don't need it I can stop down to f4 and beyond. With an f4 lense you can't go wider and there is a significant difference in light gathering between the two. It just provides a much nicer option IMO

The Dark Knight wrote in post #17036312
Nope, hence why I posted I'm also interested in 3rd party lenses as possible options. Is there a clear cut "better one" among these two?

Image quality wise, the Tamron 70-200 f2.8 VC is a tad below Canon at about half the cost. Both are heavy. I'd suggest that you rent the Tamron to see for yourself. I opted for the Canon 70-200 f4 because it is much lighter and the IQ is awesome.

werds wrote in post #17036368
I agree with the above where it all comes down to what you value more. Weight and size = 135L
Flexibility = 70-200

After that decision it just comes down to budget and what compromise you prefer. I agree that wide open aperture is sought after by me only because when it is dark I can always wish for a wider aperture, and when I don't need it I can stop down to f4 and beyond. With an f4 lense you can't go wider and there is a significant difference in light gathering between the two. It just provides a much nicer option IMO

Is the 70-200 f/2.8 non-IS lens still fairly large/heavy when compared to the f/4 IS?

Or, 70-200 f/2.8IS used for around $1K. f/2.8, IS, 90% of the image quality, half the price of the mkII.

The Dark Knight wrote in post #17036383
Is the 70-200 f/2.8 non-IS lens still fairly large/heavy when compared to the f/4 IS?

Yes. Any of the 2.8's will be weighty, personally though I find the weight comforting and balances my stance better when compared to using lighter lenses. Then again I have not had to hold stance for a greater amount of time then 2 or 3 minutes at a pop in any large spans.

the f4 IS is 1.6 lbs
the 2.8 non IS is 2.8 lbs
the 2.8 mk2 is 3.2 lbs
tamron 2.8 VC is 3.2 lbs

GregDunn wrote in post #17036393
Or, 70-200 f/2.8IS used for around $1K. f/2.8, IS, 90% of the image quality, half the price of the mkII.

But why get the mk1 if the Tammy is superior according to most reviews? Especially with warranty being an issue on a used one (granted I already know the answer to why lol)

lol I just realized... this must pop up an NSA or DHS flag based on the title "Shooting people indoors".

werds wrote in post #17036368
I agree with the above where it all comes down to what you value more. Weight and size = 135L
Flexibility = 70-200

The 70-200/4 IS and 135/2 weigh close enough to being the same that you can't tell the difference if you hold one in each hand.