Canon Rebates - Campus Camera - Kent, Ohio

Went in to my local shop to check out what was going on with rebates and shoot the breeze about pricing. Canon rebates are indeed coming May 3rd, but if anybody is in Ohio, Campus Camera will honor them now. I'm going in tomorrow to test a few lenses and probably pick up a new tripod and ballhead. I'm really itching to get a 70-200 but cannot make up my mind on whether to go the cheap and easy(relatively) route of 24-105 + 70-200 f4 or break the bank and go 24-70 + 70-200 2.8 IS. Sigh, choices, choices.

Anyway, I am friendly with the family that owns the shop and it is one of the last of its kind. I try to buy most of my gear there as they are only twenty minutes away from me and I love supporting the fading local shop with people who really know the gear.

If you have the money I would just take advantage of the rebates and get the 24-70 and 70-200 2.8 IS. If you don't like them just sell them for the other models.

Exposure101 wrote in post #7835908
If you have the money I would just take advantage of the rebates and get the 24-70 and 70-200 2.8 IS. If you don't like them just sell them for the other models.

I don't debate the merit of that pairing, and surely would scoop them up were money not a factor. The crux of my indecision is spending ~$1300 more for something I could be happy with for much less. The obvious advantages are lower light flexibility and IS in a range where it counts. I just wonder if technique can overcome some of the advantages of IS, I am not concerned of the optical characteristics as they are all fantastic. Just a difficult decision in my situation. I may just go with the 24-105 and 70-200 f4 IS and call it a day.

Why not split the difference? A 24-105 + 70-200 f2.8, or the 24-70 f2.8 and 70-200 f4?

For the cost differences of the two options you listed, I would get the 24-105 and 70-200 f4L IS, and then get a truly fast prime like the 85 1.8 or 50 1.4 for when I need the speed. Not only are the 2.8's a lot bigger and bulkier, you're paying more for the convenience of having that extra stop than you are any picture quality improvement.

Besides, the 70-200 f4L IS is undoubtedly the sharpest and best lens of the Canon stable of tele-zooms. Or Nikon's stable for that matter!