Once you go "L" can you ever go back?

I am on the verge of ordering my first "L" glass, a 70-200 F4. I am wondering if after I use this lens for awhile will I be able to go back to my Sigma 18-125mm and be happy? or will I be disgusted with the feel and performance of this 'cheaper' lens.
My friend is trying to tell me that once I feel the 70-200 and see it's performance I will be FORCED into getting more L glass because everything else will seem second rate.

Does he speak the truth??

Your friend speaks the truth!!

Turn back now!!! Or enter at your own risk!!!



..........don't say I didn't warn ya.

Ro1

I went primes and never went back. Some are Ls and some aren't. Most Canon primes are very good - "L-ness" mostly gets you extra speed while keeping the quality up. I do think it's fairly hard to go back to "adequate" lenses after you've spent time with good ones whether the good ones happen to be labeled "L" or not.

I have a bag of "L" lenses.. but I still have non L and Non Canon lenses I love...


But to be more specific...

No .. after the 70-200mm f/4L ... you will never want to use that 18-125mm lens again...

There's no way back. Rest assured.

Ok, now I am getting scared

I can't afford any other lens at this time, but I am afraid that if I can't take the picture with the 70-200 I won't even want to use my camera now.

This is a direct quote from my friends email

"Jeff, I am telling you – for the LOVE OF GOD DO NOT get the 70-200mm first, it will F*** YOU UP and you will NEVER use your camera again UNTIL you get a NORMAL RANGE L lens"

Well.. I disagree....

You can allways walk backwards a few steps and use that sweet 70mm setting as your "wide angle" solution

For this I highly recomend Reebok "DMX" sneekers... the gel filled soles act as a human IS platform... this gives you sharper pics with better contrast.

Once you go DMX you'll never go back...

That's silly. According to your signature you already have a normal range lens that matches or exceeds the 70-200.

Well, I see where they're coming from but there are certainly exceptions. I bought my 70-200/4L prior to getting the Tamron 28-75/2.8 and I have not been disappointed. My next lens - a super-wide angle - will not be an "L" unless something new comes along.

One thing is almost certain - you likely won't be happy with any consumer-grade cheapies (with the exception of a few primes) after an "L", but there are lenses in between.

I bought the 17-40 (my only L lens)..... How often do you think I used the 18-55 after that ? :P

CyberDyneSystems wrote:
Once you go DMX you'll never go back...

.........Uhhhmm.......​..actually CDS, on his case, he'll be going back....WAY BACK!!!!

Ro1

I second the "stand back further with a big lens" sentiment. The only problem is i've found F4 isn't good for depth of field work, so maybe you'll use the other lens for that.

Toogy wrote:
I am on the verge of ordering my first "L" glass, a 70-200 F4. I am wondering if after I use this lens for awhile will I be able to go back to my Sigma 18-125mm and be happy? or will I be disgusted with the feel and performance of this 'cheaper' lens.
My friend is trying to tell me that once I feel the 70-200 and see it's performance I will be FORCED into getting more L glass because everything else will seem second rate.

Does he speak the truth??

Fear not! There are alternatives (although few and far between). There's the the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX for example

I have 3 L lenses and use the 16-35 all the time. I don't use the 24-70 that much since getting the 28-75 Tamron Di. The 70-200 gets limited use and I would like to use it more but its heavy and gets too much attention.

However, I am about to get the 70-300 DO as it presents less weight and attraction.

Beware of the L Zone. I have entered and can't find my way out of it myself.



70-200m F4 is a great lens as I found out when I bought it, but after getting my hands on the F2.8, I can't even see myself going back to the F4.0.

That's how bad the L Zone is fellas! LOL