70-200mm f/4L or 200mm f/2.8L

Which would you guys recommend?

It depends _ do you need the zoom range?

i dont have anything between 100 and 200

i didnt know if the 2.8 is worth it over the 4 even if i had no zoom rand that probably need

the zoom is very versatile....it gives you 200 and then some .

i use the full range of my zoom and would not exchange it for a 200mm prime, tho i may add a longer prime (300mm) some day.

ed rader

I have the 70-200 f/2.8 L IS and I can tell you that having this range is fantastic. Especially coupled with a TC 1.4 or 2.0. However, it is considerably heavier than it's younger brother the f4. Having a zoom over a prime involves some decisions on your side. I personnaly like to have the 70 on the wider end when I need it.

For what I do, i think my only options (in similar price) were Sigma 70-200 EX DG or the 200mm f/2.8. I went with the sigma. F/4 was not going to cut it, although it is supposed to be a great lens. I am now questioning if I should have gone with the 135/f2 first.

Why not just get the 70-200 f/2.8 L for about $400 more than the 200mm f/2.8 L. It comes with a tripod mount (f/4 version does not) and you end up with f/2.8 plus the 70-200 zoom range. You have nothing that covers the 100-200 range and i think you will quickly find that to be a problem. A few hundred more seems like an inexpensive solution.

yeah it's always and inexpensive solution when you are spending someone else's money .

what's wrong with just getting the zoom?

if a person has special requirements they usually don't need to post these types of questions on internet forums....they know what they need.

ed rader

the shorter end is fantastic for portraits.

ed rader

Looking that you have, the 70-200 f/4L !!! without any doubt. You are going to enjoy a lot, is tack sharp and you shall cover the tele range. Only if you need more, a x1,4 TC can be added with fantastic results.

Faced with this tradeoff I went for the prime. For me the DOF control and extra speed is worth it.

My old Canon FD system I had a 70-210/f4 but always found it too slow as well as bif and heavy for what it was doing. I replaced it with primes. I carried that lesson across the EF.

I had both and got rid of them in favour of the 200 f/2.8L. Lighter, cheaper, much better image quality, and handles a 1.4X TC much better.

Also, a TC on the f/4 destroyed the image quality. But then I am choosy.