70-200 f2.8 to f4 IS for weight savings?

Hi all,

I'm looking for opinions from working professionals who regularly shoot weddings and events.

I currently shoot most of my weddings and events with my 70-200L 2.8 (no IS), but I'm finding that after 3 years I'm kinda getting tired of carrying it around for 6-8 hours... I tend to shoot most at f4 anyhow, so I'm wondering if moving to the new IS f4 would be a good move for me...

I haven't done a sort to figure out how many shots I make at 2.8 each event, but I'm guessing it's under 10%.

Is the switch a good idea for the weight savings? Has anyone else made the switch?

Cheers

Scott

If you rarely use f/2.8, go for it. The weight savings is definitely there.

The F4 is great and with Canon's high ISO capabilities the light lost can be made up with ISO boost.

Secondly, as much as I try to shoot wide open, there needs to be a balance of "usable DOF". The F4 wide open is just as good as the 2.8 at f/4. Plus it weighs a lot less as you mention.

Yes, I have owned both and the F/4 IS is a magnificent lens.

I'm in the same situation, I have the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 and I'm considering the Canon f/4 IS version for the weight saving ( and I cant justify the price of the f/2.8 IS)

I had a search in Lightroom, and found that I rarely shoot below f/3.5 or 4 with the Sigma, and if I need a fast lens I have the 85mm f/1.8 and the 135L f/2.

The only thing I don't like is the fact that the Canon is white!

IS is truely wonderful. I have some decent shots at 1/20sec & 200mm and that on a crop camera.

Although I bought the 70-200 f/2.8 IS for sports, I kept the 70-200 f/4 non-IS for my wife to use. They are both excellent lenses and I'm sure the f/4 IS is every bit as good as the non-IS.

Tandem wrote in post #4630900
Although I bought the 70-200 f/2.8 IS for sports, I kept the 70-200 f/4 non-IS for my wife to use. They are both excellent lenses and I'm sure the f/4 IS is every bit as good as the non-IS.

Actually, the 70-200mm f/4L IS is the *best* of all four as far as IQ and IS goes. Granted, the differences in IQ are quite small, but nevertheless...

Another benefit of the IS versions: weathersealing.

I currently own both and the weight difference is big.

It's really hard to tell IMO if the IQ is better from one or the other. Both are fantastic glasses.

If you normally shoot at f/4 and have trouble with the f/2.8's weight, then it's a no brainer, go with the lighter lens.