Someone Please Help Me...

I have the Canon 24-105L and the 100-400L. So can someone tell me why I think I need a 70-200?

No you don't.

^ ^ There you go! ; )

I have all 3 of those lenses. The 70-200 2.8 IS II is my favorite lens. It's sharp... Crazy sharp. Colors are awesome, never seen any chromatic aberration, versatile... it's a very very good lens for me. Your call... neither of the other two lenses that you listed shoot 2.8.

If you can't articulate why you need it, you really don't need it.

But if you want it, your dealer would appreciate the business

I'm saving up for the 70-200 f/2.8 ll at the moment. The reason I need it is to take portraits outdoors. My 24-105 isn't always long enough, nor does it blow me away with either its sharpness or color rendering and/or brokeh. I haven't really concentrated on people before, so it's a new genre for me. I don't care for wide angle photographs of people. I find the longer focal lengths more flattering for people. I've done ok with my 100-400 ll, but it is nice to have f/2.8 for better background blur. My 70-300L is on "loan" to our son, but you know what they say: possession is 9/10ths of the law, so that option isn't available.

I've had some success with my 100L macro, but have been advised by several respected photographers that the 70-200 f/2.8 ll will add flexibility to my efforts.

if it's the f2.8 version...you need it because your lenses are slow...if its the f4 version...you don't need it

And now for something completely different...

If you are shooting apsc, you don't need it. If you are shooting full frame, you do need it. I'd go with the f/4L IS. If you need aperture, buy a prime or two.

I'm with dredaze and bassat. You're feeling the need for speed so scratch that itch.

F2Bthere wrote in post #18167096
If you can't articulate why you need it, you really don't need it.

But if you want it, your dealer would appreciate the business

I don't exactly buy the logic of the first statement. Sometimes, it is nice to step outside the box. I had no idea how to effectively use the 24/28mm end of my standard zooms. I figured I'd pick up a relatively cheap Rokinon 14mm and play with it. A short time later, the 14 was too wide. Now I have Σ15mm and Rokinon 12mm FE. Going outside the comfort zone can be a positive thing.

On the other hand, you are right. At least I could say 'why' I was buying the 14mm lens. "Because I don't own one."

I own the 24-105L, 100-400L II and 70-200 f/4 IS. I bought the 70-200 about a year after it was introduced, well before buying the original 100-400L (since upgraded to the new version). I have not been able to bring myself to get rid of the 70-200, even though it gets used less than the 100-400L. There are a couple of situations where its constant f/4 maximum aperture is useful for me, and it also serves as a light weight telephoto when I want to travel lighter and do not require the additional reach of the 100-400L. It takes a 1.4x TC very well, so I can get to 280mm in a smaller, lighter package.

For a faster aperture telephoto, which I do not need often, I have a 135L.

Bassat wrote in post #18167256
I don't exactly buy the logic of the first statement. Sometimes, it is nice to step outside the box. I had no idea how to effectively use the 24/28mm end of my standard zooms. I figured I'd pick up a relatively cheap Rokinon 14mm and play with it. A short time later, the 14 was too wide. Now I have Σ15mm and Rokinon 12mm FE. Going outside the comfort zone can be a positive thing.

On the other hand, you are right. At least I could say 'why' I was buying the 14mm lens. "Because I don't own one."

The problem is in how the question is posed. If the question was "what other lenses should I consider if I am shooting X, Y, and Z, and why are those lenses good ideas?", then we have more to work with.

This was the question, and without any other details, the best answer is "why would you even consider that lens unless you are having issues shooting whatever you are shooting with the 2 lenses you own now?". We cannot answer this question any other way, because nobody here could possibly know why phil thinks he needs a 70-200. phil is the only one that can answer that.

philk54 wrote in post #18167055
I have the Canon 24-105L and the 100-400L. So can someone tell me why I think I need a 70-200?

"Can anyone here tell me why I think yellow is the best color?" ---- How could you possibly give a serious and sensible answer to that?

TeamSpeed wrote in post #18167300
The problem is in how the question is posed. If the question was "what other lenses should I consider if I am shooting X, Y, and Z, and why are those lenses good ideas?", then we have more to work with.

This was the question, and without any other details, the best answer is "why would you even consider that lens unless you are having issues shooting whatever you are shooting with the 2 lenses you own now?". We cannot answer this question any other way, because nobody here could possibly know why phil thinks he needs a 70-200. phil is the only one that can answer that.

"Can anyone here tell me why I think yellow is the best color?" ---- How could you possibly give a serious and sensible answer to that?

On re-reading the OP's question, I have to agree with you. He did use the word 'need'. If you 'need' something, articulating 'why' should be fairly easy. My answer above relates more to a 'want' question, which seems somehow appropriate. If the OP wants a 70-200, he should acquire one, plain and simple. Buy used. It is cheaper than renting.

What do you shoot? What are your planing to use the 70-200? Is it something you need or just because "i want to have it"? Its a great lens if you will use it enough btw.

Well, TeamSpeed, you're right. I should have provided more information.

I actually used to own the 70-200 f/2.8 II and sold it to buy the 100-400 II. I primarily shoot nature/ wildlife and the 100-400 and 500 f/4 both suit me very well. But for some reason, I've recently been thinking a 70-200 would be a nice addition to the lineup. I was thinking the f/4 IS version instead of the f/2.8 because of cost and weight. But I haven't convinced myself to pull the trigger. Then yesterday, I found a used (but very much like new) one locally, and decided I would post this to see if anyone could talk me off the ledge.

I think the group has helped and I'm just going to hold onto my money for now. Or maybe I'll send it to the widow who sent me the e-mail from West Africa who needs help releasing her dead husband's bank accounts.