200 2.8L.....any good reviews/success stories???

Hi all,

I'm lacking in the 200 2.8 range, and while undoubtedly I would like the 70-200 2.8 IS, it is likely not an option until next year.

While I would like to stick to using my 24-70L, if I do get "puched to the back", I'd like the 200 2.8 range to reach up to the front.

At 1/3 of the price, what has real life experience been like with the 200L 2.8??? I have a top notch tripod, so no worries there...

Just exploring options....

PS....I can't rent here in Eastern Canada......I would if I could!

I don't often use the 200mm end. I find I use the 130-160 range a lot on a 30D. I personally don't think I'd do so well with a 200mm prime. But hey, it might work for you.

Hmmm...perhaps the EF 135mm f/2.0L USM is a better option......

With one extra stop? yeah, I think I would go for that personally. You're gonna need to shoot at 1/160 with that lens. With IS, I'm used to shooting at 1/25.

The Canon 200 f2.8L is a superb lens, and great value for money - we used to have one. But ultimately for us it was too long to be much use on the crop cameras we had at the time, so we sold it.

Rob

Thunderbird33 wrote in post #4018766
Hmmm...perhaps the EF 135mm f/2.0L USM is a better option......

That's what I was going to suggest.....

picturecrazy wrote in post #4018783
With one extra stop? yeah, I think I would go for that personally. You're gonna need to shoot at 1/160 with that lens. With IS, I'm used to shooting at 1/25.

Sheesh....1/25........​.that is sweet....I wish I wasn't in a smallish city, I'd like to rent for a weekend......cameracan​ada offers a lease to own thingy at 75.00/mo, but the prices in the US now with the CDN Exchange @ a dollar for a dollar, etc.......$1699 vs 2200 + tax + lease fees =

You would get a lot more use out of the 135 and I think it is one of Canon's best lenses.

That said the 70-200L 2.8 IS is the lens you will eventually buy.

1/160? Pfff you need to practice! I can shoot 1/50 @200mm without IS!

And yes I do practice doing it, it helps to know your limits. That way I know that I can safely get down to 1/15 on the 17-40L and 1/40 @70 and 1/50 @200 on the sigma.

Its well worth taking time to practice your shutter release technique.

I would go with the 135L f2 in your case.

I couldn't imagine shooting anything without a telephoto. I find sometimes I wish I had more than 200mm, but that's just my style.

mcmadkat wrote in post #4018973
1/160? Pfff you need to practice! I can shoot 1/50 @200mm without IS!

well, that's good for you. But you gonna tell a new wedding shooter with a new telephoto lens to shoot at 1/50 at 135mm? ?? And often, we have about 1 second to get into position, put the camera to our faces, focus, and get the shot.

I can do 1/50 at 200mm too, but I have to wait till I'm at a certain point in my breath, and preferably leaning on something. These are luxuries we almost never have in pj wedding shooting.

Go for the 135L, and shoot at 1/160.

picturecrazy wrote in post #4020325
well, that's good for you. But you gonna tell a new wedding shooter with a new telephoto lens to shoot at 1/50 at 135mm? ?? And often, we have about 1 second to get into position, put the camera to our faces, focus, and get the shot.

I can do 1/50 at 200mm too, but I have to wait till I'm at a certain point in my breath, and preferably leaning on something. These are luxuries we almost never have in pj wedding shooting.

Go for the 135L, and shoot at 1/160.

Agreed - and even then, I found the 135 f2 to be "too slow" the few times that I tried to use it. I could never get a SS fast enough in the dark venues I typically shot, and ended up with more blurry photos than not. I'd actually recommend the 85 f1.8 if you are using crop bodies. On a 1.6 crop body it is effectively a 135mm f1.8 lens. I used to be able to handhold it a 1/125 without trying too hard - just about perfect for a ceremony in a darkish location. Before I had the 70-200 IS, the 85 was my "go to" lens for indoor available light ceremony work.

You can get an 85 f1.8 and a 135 f2.8 for about the same price as a 135 f2...

Unless you really need it just wait for the 70-200 F2.8 IS.

mcmadkat wrote in post #4018973
1/160? Pfff you need to practice! I can shoot 1/50 @200mm without IS!

I can't. I need the standard rule : 1/200th for 200mm.

BTW I am not trying to be rude, different people have different styles. I always try to keep the SS as high as possible, those are my ultimate low limits.

Thanks,

Sam

many people here advised me to get the EF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS USM but now I have been told to go for the 70-200mm F4.0 IS USM instead as it is half the price and much lighter and works just as well

any comments?