Canon Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L EF IS USM vs. f/4L EF IS USM

I would go with the f/4 and a 50mm f/1.4 and still come out less money and more capability in low light for indoors...

MacFly wrote in post #6641980
i try to carry as compact of a bag as possible and i think the 2.8 would totally kill that idea!

Everything is a compromise. If you want great bokeh and light weight in a 100 to 200 mm focal length, you can go with a prime lens. They cost less, weigh a lot less and give better bokeh than the zooms do. They just don't zoom and have no IS:

• 100 f/2
  
• 135 L
  
• 200 f/2.8 L

Right now is the BEST time in a long time to get the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM. I just got mine. If you take the $75 Canon Rebate into account the lens cost $1025. Plus using the Microsoft Live Cashback on ebay, you get the full $200 cashback on this purchase. Makes the price $1100 - $75 - $200 = $825 + shipping ($25) = $850. Thats the price you'd pay for a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8. The EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM *IS* sharper than the f/2.8L IS @ f/4.

I tried all 3 lenses on my 40D and found that the f/4L IS *IS* sharper and the weight difference is big to me. I love the f/2.8L IS for that extra stop, but realistically the extra weight (it weighs TWICE what the f/4L IS weighs) is a major issue for me.

I usually carry 5 lenses with me and the extra 1.5 lbs to add the f/2.8 over the f/4 was a deal breaker. The f/2.8 will also cause you to need to look at very large bags to support it. I try to go "compact" with my Tamrac 608 and a tripod bag which fits my Strobist light kit + my Bogen 055XProB.

-Alan

thank you everyone for your input, very helpful!

i just picked up a f/4 and will be going out to get some shots!

Here's my first attempt. Shooting my fav subject, my car!

f/5
1/200
ISO 800

Mac.
I, like you, love both the f/2.8 and f/4.
I was looking at both yesterday and the f/4 is a lot lighter.
Maybe Santa Claus will deliver one of the f/4's.
Great choice and great shot.

Nick5 wrote in post #6645915
Mac. I like you love both the f/2.8 and f/4.
I was looking at both yesterday and the f/4 is a lot lighter.
Maybe Santa Claus will deliver one of the f/4.
Great choice and great shot.

thank you sir!

i'm sure Santa will be kind enough to drop one down your chimney!

I agree with the above poster. I own the 70-200 F4 IS and the 50 1/4. They make a helluva combo. I don't know what camera you are shooting but with the 40D that I use I see no real advantage with the 2.8 70-200. A friend of mine is trying very hard to get rid of his 2.8 inorder to get a the F4 IS version. His quote is I'm tired of carrying around a ton of bricks that shoots lesser than an F4. We have shot side by side with identical cameras and he gets mad because his 2.8 does not resolve as the F4 does. This is real world shooting at trains and locomotives moving at 50 to 70 mph. The F4 IS focuses and holds at a rate of above 90% in strings of 16-17 shots on AI Servo. His 2.8 does not do as well. IMO the 70-200 F4 IS is the best zoom lens that is made by Canon

tremontandgulf wrote in post #6645934
I agree with the above poster. I own the 70-200 F4 IS and the 50 1/4. They make a helluva combo. I don't know what camera you are shooting but with the 40D that I use I see no real advantage with the 2.8 70-200. A friend of mine is trying very hard to get rid of his 2.8 inorder to get a the F4 IS version. His quote is I'm tired of carrying around a ton of bricks that shoots lesser than an F4. We have shot side by side with identical cameras and he gets mad because his 2.8 does not resolve as the F4 does. This is real world shooting at trains and locomotives moving at 50 to 70 mph. The F4 IS focuses and holds at a rate of above 90% in strings of 16-17 shots on AI Servo. His 2.8 does not do as well. IMO the 70-200 F4 IS is the best zoom lens that is made by Canon

makes me even more proud to have made the purchase i made!