70-200 f2.8 or f4

Just wondering what everyones thoughts were on the f2.8, or the f4. I don't really do sports photos so is there any other benefits to the 2.8 other than the speed? I mean it is 3 times the price.
Thanks Dave

Do you shoot indoors much?... if not I would probably go for the f4 IS

I really liked my f/4 IS, but returned it because I needed other lengths more and went with primes at this time. It is a really nice weight as well - not too heavy and balances really nice on the 30D. Unless you really, really need the 2.8, I'd say go for the f/4. Good luck with your decision. I know it ain't easy, lol.

Hey nathan, no I don't shoot alot indoors, but for the money that I would save I could get a alien bees setup and a 580 exII
Just a thought

I have had the f4 for a couple of years and it is subpar in my opinion. I bought it for the weight, overall size and price as I don't need a zoom that often. I have been very dissapointed in the image quality. Forget shooting it wide open as its sharp nowhere at f4. So, its really a 70-200 f4.5. The difference between my f4 and my buddy's 70-200 f2.8 IS is night and day. Spend the extra, you'll be happier. If however, you're set on the f4 I'm selling mine and I'll give you a good deal ...

Cpcumming wrote in post #3588073
I have had the f4 for a couple of years and it is subpar in my opinion. I bought it for the weight, overall size and price as I don't need a zoom that often. I have been very dissapointed in the image quality. Forget shooting it wide open as its sharp nowhere at f4. So, its really a 70-200 f4.5. The difference between my f4 and my buddy's 70-200 f2.8 IS is night and day. Spend the extra, you'll be happier. If however, you're set on the f4 I'm selling mine and I'll give you a good deal ...

Uh, the 70-200 F4L is a very sharp lens, even at F4... I'm sure many here will agree. Some even argue that it is sharper than the 2.8 version.

canadianbacon52 wrote in post #3588607
Uh, the 70-200 F4L is a very sharp lens, even at F4... I'm sure many here will agree. Some even argue that it is sharper than the 2.8 version.

Uh, the F4L is not sharper then the F2.8L when you need a stop faster then F4.

bmynbr wrote in post #3588020
Just wondering what everyones thoughts were on the f2.8, or the f4. I don't really do sports photos so is there any other benefits to the 2.8 other than the speed? I mean it is 3 times the price.
Thanks Dave

The 2.8 is 2X the price of the F4.

mntbikejack wrote in post #3588624
Uh, the F4L is not sharper then the F2.8L when you need a stop faster then F4.

Thank you, Captain Obvious

How about a 70-200mm f/4 IS? That's the one I thought was getting both worlds..sort off....

I couldn't afford the 2.8 IS so I took the "next best" thing which would be the f/4 IS.

Is this a good lens?

I'm sure the High Priest of the f4 IS will be along to deal with some of the inaccurate nonsense above so I will restrict myself by saying the the f4 IS is the lens you need. I have one and love it in a way that may not be entirely healthy

Where's Ed??

70-200/4L and an fast prime like the 85/1.8 or 100/2 is probably an better choise for you than the 2.8...

in low light conditions, 2.8 can achieve a higher shutter speed by going as wide as f/2.8, and the 4 IS can shoot at a lower speed with the IS on. so the question is which one is sharper when both are wide open? (from what i've read, the F/4 IS gives the best IQ, but I would certainly like to hear what the owners say)

and what's the lowest speed the F/4 IS can be hand held? and in that same condition, can the f/2.8 provide a reasonable speed that can be hand held too without the IS?

the IQ is incredibly good on the 4L is... the best i´ve seen in any zoom... not that i´ve seen a hell of a lot of zooms in my life or anything...

it´s sharper than the 2.8 @ 4... and the 1.4 degrades the image only slightly in the corners imo.

I disagree. I've owned the f4 non-is (WOW!), the f4IS (even more WOW) and now, the 2.8IS (wow).
Here it is pretty simple: if you don't shoot moving subjects in low-light or plan to use this as a portrait lens where background blur is needed, then go for one of the f4 flavors. If you can spring for it, get the f4IS. The digital picture has tested and found this lens on a par with many primes and perhaps the sharpest zoom of all time. Check out the review on photozone as well. The f4 non-is version is widely regarded as an incredibly sharp zoom, too.
Really, you can't go wrong. Even if you buy the least expensive of the group, the f4 non-is, and find you want IS or the 2.8, this lens, like most L's, retains almost all of its value. You can always trade up.