Traded one 70-200L for another (56k warning)

After shooting the F4 non-IS for awhile, I noticed from my shots that I needed the extra stop and IS. So I finally received my 70-200 2.8IS today. After reading all the topics lately regarding the softness of the 2.8 version and seeing differing MTF charts, I wasn't sure what I was getting. I was initially hesitant since my F4 was very sharp and feared the 2.8 wouldn't deliver.

I did some initial testing before I head out to Carlsbad flower fields this weekend for its true test. Below is a test between my F4 non-IS and F2.8IS.

70-200 2.8IS (70mm, F2.8 )

Congrats on that, the F/2.8 version is really nice

70-200 2.8IS (200mm, F2.8 )

i'd say looking at those the 2.8 @ f4 looks sharper than the f4 @ f4 and only ever so slightly softer @f2.8 than the f4 @ f4....... at least to my eyes........

My 70-200 2.8L IS might be here today too...... can't wait.......

Thanks calicokat! I can't wait to take her outside and take some real shots now that I verified it is focusing correctly.

steve75 - You will love this lens once you open the box and see the nice bag it comes in. To me the F2.8 at F4 does look sharper than the F4 at F4.

I am really digging the IS.

This shot was at 200mm, 1/50 sec., F2.8, ISO at 1600.

the 2.8 looks very good.

Looks like you have a nice lens! Congrats!

Just about everything you do with that lens will be down-right magic - it is an amazing piece of glass!

Aww man, that's soft!


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JUST KIDDING!

That, is basically as sharp as it will ever get. There is a tiny bit of improvement between the f/2.8 and the f/4 shots (for the IS zoom) but we're talking about the difference between 'awesome' and 'phenomenal' here.

IS is a godsend. At the beginning you will use it as a tool to help you handhold better, that's what it was intended for. As you become an advanced IS user, free your mind - instead of operating within the narrow confines of what the IS was intended for, see if you can find new and creative ways to do things with it, that would not be possible with non-IS lenses. In other words use it as a creative tool, which is what I am doing. And above all enjoy the ride.

Indeed my favorite lens, for a beginner like me who doesn't make a lot of

shots per a day the heavy disadvantage will not be a problem for me. And yes

in July I'll have a peace of my own.

Thanks for making this post and have fun with this lens.

I think those shots would "look" even sharper if you correct the White Balance on them...

Honestly, I know the tests show difference in sharpness, but I think all of them are sharp enough that it shouldn't come into play when it comes to deciding between the 4.

I used to own the f4IS which is supposed to be the sharpest of the bunch. I traded that in for the f2.8 IS and I am perfectly happy with it!

Great lens...have fun!

I didn't correct wb for the test shots. No pp was done for those. However, I did correct it for the shot of my F4 lens.

Lightstream - As an IS newbie, do you have any creative shots I can see?

david...... where's your duck shots!!!! already posted mine up! and you were right i started loving this lens as soon as i saw the bag..... and a whole lot more when it was out the bag and on the camera!!!! I shall be giving mine a proper workout tomorrow at the Badminton Horse Trials.....

Need to find myself some ducks. I am going to the flower fields this weekend so I guess that will have to do for now. Too bad my CP didn't come in time.

I saw your thread as well. Your lens is also very sharp. Post some pics of the horse trials when you have a chance.

David: Was that last shot done with a tripod? I know the IS can compensate for three stops, but 1/50 is still pretty slow. Is it just that stable, or did you use a tripod?

I just sold my 75-300mm to help pay for the 70-200mm f4L, so I'm trying to learn everything I can about it.