Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM

DimitriNYC wrote in post #15551360
Sirrith,
Thank you for the quick response. I think I am doing the right thing by exchanging it, however, I will say that it is a little daunting making sure the lens works as designed, because despite reading about the lens at length and following this thread, i found it a little difficult to trust my gut reaction, wich was to exchange it. In comparison, the 24-105 focuses very fast (and I understand that the range of focus is different for each lens), and so did my 15-85. The last straw was certainly the FTM not working consistently, that really baffled me and was the motivation I need to take it back.

In any event, thank you again, and I hope the new copy will work much better.

Kind regards,
Dimitri

Good luck with the new copy, let us know how it is

^^I agree with the above conclusions. My 70-200 focusses fast and has given no problems. I even stick tubes on it and use it as a macro.

So good luck with the replacement.


...

Well, it is certainly a good thing that I asked here about my copy of the 70-200 f/4. This evening I went by B&H and exchanged the lens, a seamless and painless process. The new copy just feels right, focuses nearly instantaneously, assuming lighting is not too bad, and the IS works beautifully. I am thrilled beyond belief. And while I did not have time to upload to Lightroom any new test photos (I.e. pictures of my kids' toys laying around the house), it appears to be sharper than the first one I purchased.

So, it goes without saying, a big thank you to all who responded to my query, provided feedback on the operation, and encouraged me to return it, thank you.

Kind regards,
Dimitri

Sirrith wrote in post #15551579
Good luck with the new copy, let us know how it is

Glad to hear you managed to get a normal copy.

One picture I took around 2 years ago.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/reza_arya/84369​48965/

I prepared this card for my wife.

200mm, ISO 3200, 1/40 sec. The IS really is quite good. It is a noisy picture, but in the end quite useable and given the situation I'm glad I have the shot at all.

Taken the dead of winter in Kandahar Afghanistan. I like the little hand mitts the guy put over his handlebars (you can see them better on the 2048x version on my flickr), must be awfully cold riding around, I was cold with my winter gear on plus body armor, helmet etc.

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NatDeroxL7 wrote in post #15567479
I was cold with my winter gear on plus body armor, helmet etc.

Great shot Nat.

I'm intrigued. With all that you carry, you still have room for a 5D and a 70-200 attached. Nice going.

It was definitely worth the extra bit of weight, and surprisingly didn't get a ton of dust issues either.

The Gatherer

Often times Afghans have no heat source aside from a fire, and even in the south, where summers easily reach 120 degrees, the winters are marked by constant clouds and rain, with temperatures in the 20s-30s. This man is gathering kindling for his home, to stay warm. The trees are few are far between, in many areas due to massive deforestation by the Russians in years past, and they offer much needed shade in the summer, so Afghans will not cut down their trees for firewood, because of the severe negative impact this would have on their comfort and livelihood in the summer.

Click for 2048x version

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This is not a great shot or anything, by any means - I was very far away, shooting from the side of the road. It is very heavily cropped, sharpened & converted to web image, but I was amazed when I did zoom in on this shot to find this eagle looking at me even though he had his back to me.