70-200 f4 L. Four Stops? Really?

Hi,

I currently have a Canon 100-300 USM f4.5-5.6 lens. I don't use it much because on my 30D I have to set my shutter speeds to around 1/500 or better to get decent hand-held pictures. I use it mostly for community events such as parades, or outdoor school activities. Ocassionally I will photograph my daughter's ballet or indoor school performances. (No flash, 800+ ASA, w/tripod.)

I am now looking at the 70-200 IS f4.0 L as a possibility for a new lens for my 30D. I will lose about a stop on this lens, but will gain with the IS. With the IS can I realistically be able to hand-hold this lens at 200mm with 1/30 second?

The IQ will be better with the 70-100, and I'll be able to hand-hold at lower shutter speeds, but is it worth the upgrade, or would I be better served saving my money? (The 2.8 IS L version is not an option for me because of the higher cost, and the fact that it is twice the weight of the f4 L.)

Thanks,
~ Dom

Obtong wrote in post #5713272
Hi

Hi!

I currently have a Canon 100-300 USM f4.5-5.6 lens...I am now looking at the 70-200 IS f4.0 L as a possibility for a new lens for my 30D. I will lose about a stop on this lens, but will gain with the IS. With the IS can I realistically be able to hand-hold this lens at 200mm with 1/30 second?

You don't lose a stop with the f4 IS lens. It's actually a faster lens than your current one. Add a 1.4x TC and it's about the same at 280mm f5.6. As for 1/30th, easily...

AAA

The IS on the 70-200 f/4 IS is really amazing. The IQ is excellent also. I sold mine only for the flexibility of the 70-200 2.8 IS for wedding work.
Keep in mind you will be able to hand hold at slow shutter speeds (1/30th range) but it won't help in freezing subject motion. You will still need much faster shutter speeds (assuming no flash here) to freeze ballet/parade movement.

Yes! I have lots of shots taken indoors at 1/30 at 200mm and there are more keepers than not.

Not had time to find a photo taken at 200mm but look at the shutter speed on this one:

As mentioned.... its twice as fast at 200 as your 300 is at 300 (so if you were getting 1/30th before - youll get 1/60th now. Add the IS and your on an absolute winner. If you could almost justify it in your head with losing a stop of light - you most definantly will be able to justify it with gaining a stop. You could say its 5 times faster once you add in the Image stabilizer.

i have shot at a wedding in a church at 200mm much like the shot someone else posted.... at 1/15th and got a usable shot that i cropped down - awesome stuff - although they were standing still

I can pretty consistently hand hold my 70-200 f/4 IS at 200mm and 1/25s. The IS on this lens is very good. And, as mentioned, it's a faster lens than your 100-300, at all focal lengths, so you gain even more. That, and it's the best zoom lens optically that Canon has ever produced.

1/30s NO problem! I printed a 11x14 of a 1/80s shot @ 200mm and the print looks amazing! (good thing the squirrel was standing still, I think I stunned him with my big white lens )

I just took 4 test shots of a Samual Adams bottle here in my office. All 4 were keepers at 144mm, f/5, 1/8th of a second handheld. Yes, the IS is that good. Considering 4 stops at 144mm would have been 1/15th of a second, I actually got 5 stops. Not too shabby.

Not wanting to highjack this thread, but with the money saved over the 2.8, wouldn't getting a good flash give you about the same abilties as the 2.8 when using the 4? I'm on the fence myself about these choices myself.

There are tons of f/4 IS vs. f/2.8 threads on this forum...to discuss that issue, search and read those threads, as it has been discussed at length many times.

I use my 70-200 indoors with a flash (events/parties/etc) and it works very well. Only problem is when you have a high ceiling which makes bouncing problematic. The f/2.8 would do better in that situation, but for me, if I need something faster I pop on my 85mm f/1.8 (or raise my ISO). Autofocus with the f/4 has been fine for me in all sorts of (even dark) lighting conditions.

I did exactly your upgrade and was VERY pleased. The new lens will be a bit bigger and heavier, but not much. And yes, the IS is fantastic. I have a nighttime shot of a fountain at 70mm and 1/10s with wonderfully smooth water.

As for the flash, it depends on if you can reach the subject with it and if you want that kind of light. The photo you'd get would be completely different.

Oh, I managed to sell my 100-300 on eBay for about $140, so take that into account when you are thinking of the cost.

Jman13 wrote in post #5714551
There are tons of f/4 IS vs. f/2.8 threads on this forum...to discuss that issue, search and read those threads, as it has been discussed at length many times.

He says he doesn't want the 2.8. It's a question of this or something else, perhaps not even camera related. He's wondering if it's really worth upgrading from a consumer 100-300 lens.

I'm aware...I was responding to Dave R.

Yes, the IS on the 70-200 f4IS is that good.

Just keep in mind that at 1/30 you wont' be able to stop the action on what you are describing. (School Activities, Parades, etc.)


So yes, the 4 stop IS is somewhat of a miracle, but not for everything.