EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS or EF 70-200 f/2.8(NON-IS) and 580EX

Hi Guys,

Now the time has come for me to get my 1st L. What I am planning on shooting is Sports, like little kids to adults. I know that I will not need the IS for the sports because I will be using a fast shutter speed most of the time (1/250 sec +). I also plan to shoot low-light parties and eventually weddings with this lens too. I like aviation photography also, so IS mode 2 would be helpful for panning. But av photography is just a hobby and will not make me much, if any money. My question to you highly smart people is: Which one should I get, 70-200 2.8L IS or 70-200L (NON-IS) with 580EX or 430EX. The 580/430 will be helpful in the long run also.

Thankyou in advance for your answers!

Mike

I have 70-200 IS and a 580.

If you are looking for flash...............ge​t 580 then if you need master/slave then you will already have a master flash.

Spend the big bucks now

So, for what I want to shoot,do you think I will need the IS?

Mike

Low light parties...............​no flash..........Yes!

Always the answer? NO!

It is very helpful on the long end of things, 200mm.

If you get the IS version, you can always turn it off.

If you get the Non-IS version, you can't turn it on.

If you can...............get an IS mounted @ a store and play. U don't need to snap a picture to see the IS working.

I was amazed at how fast the IS worked.

I had a 75-300mm IS and it was not quite as fast. I guess that is part of the "L" power.

Ok, thanks for your input. I am now thinking of getting the 70-200 IS and the 430EX. Would this combo be alright for parties. Is the flash powerful enough?

Mike

Hmmmmmmmmmm

I have a 580 and 2 420's

The 430 is right inbetween.

I believe the 430 has a "pul out" card.

580 vs 430......

U can back off a 580, you can't up a 430.

My MOTTO!

But once...............be happy.

But, that's just me.

The 430ex is a nice flash..........should you ever get a second one, it will have to be the 580 so it can be used as a "master"

Thanks Alex. I will wait for the rebates to start until I purchase this combo. I have family in the US so they can get the rebate for me. This way its a lot cheaper than buying from Australia. I will probably get the 580 in the future anyway. The good thing about buying this kit from the US is that the Lens and Speedlite come with an International warranty, so Canon Australia will honour the warranty.

If anybody else has any oppinions please leave a post in here.

Thanks

Mike

Sinkrate wrote in post #2105054
Is the flash powerful enough?

Mostly, yes. Then again, I mostly shoot high ISO, wide aperture. If you shoot a lot of low iso, small aperture, even the 580EX might struggle...

Consider the 550ex, if you can find a good price on it. Its a lot of what the 580 is, but of course older.

I'd get a 430 over a 550 anyday. Based on ergonomics and ease of use alone. I have a 550 and 580, and the only thing I use my 550 for since getting the 580, is as slave...

Thanks for the help everyone! Now, I just have to wait for the rebates to start and I will get them some time in the Next month. Dad has assured me that I will have atleast the lens before the Red Bull Air Race in Perth, in just over a months time!

Thank You very much for your help!

Mike

I think the Oct rebates are starting...........

at least the US rebates..............

FYI

It doesn't matter if you get the IS or Non IS, these are hefty lenses.

Not bad..........just start working out now

LOL. I have held the IS and it seems pretty nice and easy to hold for me. I have a sister in the US who can claim the rebate for me, so that is an extra saving, $120 for the IS and the 430EX together.

Mike

Well, I'm one of the 70-200 non IS owners and couldn't be happier. I have the 5 D and am always happy with the image quality from this lens. I don't have IS and to be truthful, I've never really needed it thus far.
If I was a guy that shot stage lighting and performances all the time, then I wouldn't be without an IS version of this lens. My shooting takes me outdoors a lot, or if indoors, I use a 550 EX flash and the Big Flip-It.
Here's a shot I took in the deep shade with the 70-200 and the Big Flip-it to add some fill.

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pparker, That is an awesome shot! Very nice. I saw it in another thread the other day and was impressed. The only problem I have now is that for Australian customers at B&H the maximum order you can put on a Visa is $1500! My order exceeds this. Does anyone know of a way to get around this?

Mike