Which 70-200mm F2.8L lens to get.

I have decided to get some high quality lenses now that the rest of my kit is complete. I have a 40D with the APS-C 1.6 size sensor. I read the review on DPReview on the 70-200mm F2.8L IS and may get it. But I see several photogs unloading their IS version of this lens. And that has me puzzled. Here are my options get the IS or NON IS version. What are the Pros and Cons of using these? Price is not a factor since this will probably be a lifetime purchase. Meaning I am willing to pay the extraq money for the IS version if it is worth it. I understand that it is a little soft for the APS-C lens since it was designed for the Full Frame 35mm Format and may be upgrading to it later in the year and keep the 40D as a backup. But overall if you had the chance to get either of these lens which would you get and why?

IS is the pro, cost is the con. When I burst a few frames IS usually gives me at least 1 sharp photo on my 40D at 200mm with 1/30 sec shutter speed, sometimes slower. Being able to handhold at 200mm and capture sharp images at 1/60 sec shutter speed (adequate for many people shots) is in itself a wonderful thing, but it gives you at least one stop better than that.

The 70-200/2.8IS would be an excellent choice for a crop body or fullframe - it is not "worse" on a 1.6 cropper. It is an excellent lens, and with the IS is a very good choice for both fast action as well as slower moving stage performance/recital type work. I started with the non-IS, and eventually upgraded to the IS for those situtations where I needed to shoot at 200mm and the best shutter speed I could get was slower than 1/100sec.

Oh, and I started with the 20d, so both the non-IS and IS were great

I use the 70-200 f2.8 L IS on my 40D and I'm really happy with it. I don't think you will be disappointed. The f4 IS is also a great lens, but I really needed f2.8 for events/sports/portrait​s.

Blackey Cole wrote in post #6983171
But I see several photogs unloading their IS version of this lens. And that has me puzzled.

Some unload it to get the smaller, lighter f/4 IS version.

i did grab the 2.8 IS version a few weeks ago. i haven't done any long days of shooting with it yet. it is heavy and cumbersome to walk around with at times, but is absolutely an amazing piece of glass that i couldn't be happier with.

cole, i looked at ur gear list and saw you have a filter kit. what size filters are they? keep in mind the 2.8 is 77mm and the f/4 is 67mm i believe. just one more thing to think about.

This one's too easy.

If cost is not a consideration get the IS.

Whoever said that these are "soft" on a crop sensor is full of it.

Step-down rings are inexpensive.

I'm all for the IS; it gives an extra level of usability to the lens, otherwise I might as well have kept my 135L. The 135L was not as usable to me in part because I had to keep a certain shutter speed in order to ensure sharp images. It's a great lens too, but without IS a telephoto lens seems to be a limited in practical use. I can use the 70-200 f/2.8 IS in evening and sometimes indoors with some level of success I could not achieve with the 135L.

And on my 40D the 70-200 f/2.8 IS is a sharp lens.

form wrote in post #6984308
Step-down rings are inexpensive.

I'm all for the IS; it gives an extra level of usability to the lens, otherwise I might as well have kept my 135L. The 135L was not as usable to me in part because I had to keep a certain shutter speed in order to ensure sharp images. It's a great lens too, but without IS a telephoto lens seems to be a limited in practical use. I can use the 70-200 f/2.8 IS in evening and sometimes indoors with some level of success I could not achieve with the 135L.

And on my 40D the 70-200 f/2.8 IS is a sharp lens.

I don't know where you have shooting, or how stable you are, but I have never had a problem with my 70-200 NON-IS shooting at 200mm at 1/160th on my 40d

SoundsGood wrote in post #6984232
Some unload it to get the smaller, lighter f/4 IS version.

Smaller, lighter, better IS and...INSANELY SHARP! The 2.8 is no slouch, but for value the 4IS is absolutely fantastic. I liked the bokeh from my tammy better than either canon L though.

Okay, but I did say 1/30th second at 200mm, and 1/60th second, not 1/160th second.

Get the best money can buy. Afterall what you pay is what you get.