Canon EF 70-200 f/4L upgrade

awacsCZE wrote in post #19184629
What did you mean? Bad idea?

No, I meant maybe using a tripod etc would allow you to get away with using the f/4 lens rather than a more costly and far more heavy f/2.8. Of course I have no knowledge of your personal shooting situations so it's just a suggestion.


Why is renting so difficult and not appealing? Just asking, just curious.

I have used that to evaluate lenses before I spent big money on them and it seems whenever I suggest it someone always speaks out against the idea. I would think having the chance to try a lens first is better than just listening to random Internet opinions and diving into the pool blindfolded. I'm not directing this 100% in your direction so don't take it personally.

chuckmiller wrote in post #19184645
No, I meant maybe using a tripod etc would allow you to get away with using the f/4 lens rather than a more costly and far more heavy f/2.8. Of course I have no knowledge of your personal shooting situations so it's just a suggestion.

You're probably right, I mean, I think adding 100 mm f/2.8L Macro lens and monopode will be better, than costly 2.8 III.

chuckmiller wrote in post #19184645
Why is renting so difficult and not appealing? Just asking, just curious.

I have used that to evaluate lenses before I spent big money on them and it seems whenever I suggest it someone always speaks out against the idea. I would think having the chance to try a lens first is better than just listening to random Internet opinions and diving into the pool blindfolded. I'm not directing this 100% in your direction so don't take it personally.

The store I shop in has currently stopped renting lenses because of the virus, plus, we have limited traveling measures, so basically we can only do online shopping and pick ups at shops, not even testing on place. I will wait after this is over though as ZOOs are closed too, so nowhere to test it.

If you're really thinking of low light, canopy cover, dark areas, a monopod and a lens with IS will go a long way. Even with long focal-lengths. Monopod + IS just makes for a very forgiving platform so you can use virtually any lens as long as it has IS along with it to just add that extra stabilization on top of the monopod's stabilization. Great combo for low light without being super imposing to carry around (like a tripod). So you can use a 70-200 flavor with IS (F2.8 can be great, but if you're very close to the subject at 200mm and at F2.8, do you really want that super shallow DOF so that something on the subject is out of focus? Things to consider, fast focal-ratio has a compromise in this sense, while it's nice for exposure, it can be a problem sometimes for DOF on some subjects that you want entirely in focus if you're close to them). Your 100-400 could totally just be the lens you use, at F5.6, on a monopod. No purchase needed for a new lens. A monopod will stabilize it that well.

Example, under heavy canopy cover, here's a 150-600 on a monopod with IS enabled, and one with a 300mm F4L IS on monopod with IS enabled.

F6.3, 1/40s, 500mm

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/JexM​pC

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/FLVs​nh

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/FgLy​GX

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/Kvg6​cN

Love that last image!!!! That doesn't look like a happy rainy-day camper!!!!

MalVeauX wrote in post #19185079
If you're really thinking of low light, canopy cover, dark areas, a monopod and a lens with IS will go a long way. Even with long focal-lengths. Monopod + IS just makes for a very forgiving platform so you can use virtually any lens as long as it has IS along with it to just add that extra stabilization on top of the monopod's stabilization. Great combo for low light without being super imposing to carry around (like a tripod). So you can use a 70-200 flavor with IS (F2.8 can be great, but if you're very close to the subject at 200mm and at F2.8, do you really want that super shallow DOF so that something on the subject is out of focus? Things to consider, fast focal-ratio has a compromise in this sense, while it's nice for exposure, it can be a problem sometimes for DOF on some subjects that you want entirely in focus if you're close to them). Your 100-400 could totally just be the lens you use, at F5.6, on a monopod. No purchase needed for a new lens. A monopod will stabilize it that well.

Very best,

Thank you, I will probably keep the 70-200 as it is I love that little lens and the 100 mm Macro + monopod will probably add more variability to my lenses, than another 70-200.

Thank you.

awacsCZE wrote in post #19185074
You're probably right, I mean, I think adding 100 mm f/2.8L Macro lens and monopode will be better, than costly 2.8 III.

The store I shop in has currently stopped renting lenses because of the virus, plus, we have limited traveling measures, so basically we can only do online shopping and pick ups at shops, not even testing on place. I will wait after this is over though as ZOOs are closed too, so nowhere to test it.

Ah, I see.

Options:

You can affordably get out to 200mm, at 2.8, and L quality with this https://www.keh.com …=212171-315628&rmatt=tsidcid:1719659480|agid:67​802176056|tid:pla-950847398158|crid:3355​08340997|nw:g|rnd:5223​255128458118508|dvc:c|​adp:&gclid=CjwKCAiA9bm​ABhBbEiwASb35V8PD3sejJ​rmIbnGySpittDl8fvm12l0​8ALUkhasLssUD5jiePKrHG​BoCC70QAvD_BwE

To rent, give a look at www.borrowlenses.com and www.lensrentals.com

Here is a version 2 of the 200mm f/2.8

chuckmiller wrote in post #19186050
Ah, I see.

Options:

You can affordably get out to 200mm, at 2.8, and L quality with this https://www.keh.com …=212171-315628&rmatt=tsidcid:1719659480|agid:67​802176056|tid:pla-950847398158|crid:3355​08340997|nw:g|rnd:5223​255128458118508|dvc:c|​adp:&gclid=CjwKCAiA9bm​ABhBbEiwASb35V8PD3sejJ​rmIbnGySpittDl8fvm12l0​8ALUkhasLssUD5jiePKrHG​BoCC70QAvD_BwE

To rent, give a look at www.borrowlenses.com and www.lensrentals.com

Thank you very much, I'll look into it.