A big purchase in the next step up (70-200 L)

I recently returned to the forums after having a few urgest to buy a new lense. Not taking the price into to much of a consideration although still a factor being the wife and I have our first child on the way!

I would like a high quality lense that will last me. I am fairly sure that a 70-200 2.8 L IS will be just the one but, is it what I need? If you check the link in my Sig you will see mostly the sort of photos I enjoy taking. It seems that more often then not photos will end up blurry or just not right and I wondering if the extra buck for IS is worth it with all the near nightime and on the go photos?

Also the size. I live in Japan and will spend the next 3 years here out and about exploring and taking photos often I will just take the camera and tripod in carry case with me. Is it to heavy/large?

I mean with the new baby on the way I can tell the wife that we dont want to miss anything and the new lense is worth it right?

Thanks ahead of time for any info you may pass my way!

I think you would be pleased with the f/4 IS. Normally I would suggest just to get the 2.8is but, judging by the few pics I saw, you seem to shoot outdoors a lot-- not at night. The f/4 is lighter and, depending on who you talk to, has better optics.

with either lens you can't really go wrong, both are excellent and worth their respective prices.

f4 IS sounds like the right balance for you.
You lose a stop in light, but gain 4 stop IS, plus it is much more portable than the f2.8 IS. You can probably ditch the tripod as well!

I keep debating this as well. I'm leaning towards getting the f/4 just because I know I will be using it outdoors mostly, but having that f/2.8 is nagging me a little. Bah, the debate will never end.