Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200MM F/2.8L IS

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

05/21/2007 08:39:54 AM · #1

Can some of the owners of this lens share with me their thoughts. I would like to buy this for my 20d and was looking for some honest opinions and some photos please.

Thanks
Rich

strangeghost

Canon EOS-7D

05/21/2007 08:55:46 AM · #2

This is one of the most popular canon lenses, over 500 owners on DPC and lots of top rated pictures.

05/21/2007 09:02:31 AM · #3

Originally posted by strangeghost:

This is one of the most popular canon lenses, over 500 owners on DPC and lots of top rated pictures.

Thanks for the link to the photos.

Rich

Telehubbie

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

05/21/2007 09:06:35 AM · #4

I absolutely LOVE mine. It's a bit heavy at first if you're not used to heavy lenses, but you learn to live with it quickly. If you plan on carrying it for long periods around your neck, I recommend a neoprene strap like the Boomerang that helps lighten the load. Autofocus is fast and accurate, even in low light. I have some small photos with it here, but as with any lens, you really need to see a 100% crop to really judge how sharp it is. If you have the budget for it, get it, you won't be dissappointed. Happy shopping!

pineapple

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

05/21/2007 09:11:16 AM · #5

I was thinking of buying the same lens - but came to the conclusion that the NON IS version is the one I want. Not only because it is much cheaper.

pgirish007

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

05/21/2007 09:19:02 AM · #6

I have f/4 version of this lens and it shots very good. I did take some pictures over the weekend and the result is awasome.

Simms

05/21/2007 09:22:52 AM · #7

Hot Pixel..

This lens is amazing. simple as.

You'll get addicted to its quality. Granted it's pretty weighty, especially if you have a battery grip on your camera as well, but if like me you are ripped & buff then thats not a problem. :-)

seriously, the sharpness and contrast are mouthwatering.

Initially I purchased the 70-200 F4 IS but sent it back after a few days as the sharpness was not what I expected ( I have since seen other copies of that lens which leads me to believe mine wasn't a good copy).

However, around the same time I used a friends 2.8IS and this is the shot that sold it to me.

Sadly this resized version does it no justice, on the fullsize RAW you can see the individual strands in the lace of her dress and the pores in his hand. Also the contrast is how it came out of the camera, it really is amazing. Oh, hand-held at 1/60th as well :)))))

Whilst it is expensive, you will NEVER regret buying it.

Message edited by author 2007-05-21 09:30:50.

splidge

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

05/21/2007 10:48:26 AM · #8

I love my f/4 version.

I've never used the f/2.8 so I don't have to worry about what I'm missing :). However the f/4 (at least my copy) produces really nice images, very very sharp, colourful, contrasty and detailed.

I figured the f/2.8 wasn't worth the extra price and weight for me.

The only telephoto lens I had before that was a very nasty and cheap sigma 55-200 so the step up in quality was pretty huge :).

splidge

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

05/21/2007 10:53:43 AM · #9

I bought mine (f/2.8 IS version) in 2004, and never looked back. It is a zoom of exceptionally good quality. You never worry about shooting it wide open, at any focal length. The results are always outstanding.
Being a zoom, however, it doesn't tolerate teleconverters as well as the best primes. The 1.4x is OK, the 2.0x is "good light only" particularly with APS-C cameras (smaller pixel pitch).
Bottom line, if the 70-200 range is important to your shooting needs, you simply cannot do better than the 70-200/2.8IS for overall performance and versatility.

Tom

Canon EOS-5D

05/21/2007 11:00:39 AM · #10

I bought mine yesterday. On the way home from the store I was cut off, had to slam on my brakes, and my camera went flying off my front seat. Luckily the 70-200 was still in its packaging, and already set on the floor, but sadly I'll have to wait a while while I get my 5D repaired to use it. :-(

I have used others many times though and it's awesome. Right now Canon has a $100 mail-in-rebate going on for this lens.

PhantomEWO

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

05/21/2007 11:02:01 AM · #11

I have both the 70-200 L f/4 and the 70-200 L f/2.8 IS. Both agre great lenses and I think with equally sharpness, contrast and photo quality.
.
I shoot a lot of night minor league baseball games. The f/4 just didn't cut it. Even setting a 1600 ISO really didn't help in a lot of situations where a fast shuter speed was needed. It's amazing that in baseball as slow as it moves along sometimes, the pics that are the best are the very fast action shots where anything less than about 1/800 or 1/1000 second is too slow to catch the ball, fast moving arms or dirt flying in a slide at home.

The IS on the f/2.8 does not help in sports with a fast shutter speed. The IS only helps in slow shutter speeds to compensate for your movement. But the f/2.8 really makes a difference on catching the players fast action moves.
.
I use it on my 5D alot and many times on the 20D which increases the zoom alot. During day games I also put the 2x extender on it and with the 20D it can really reach out and touch the players ... and also makes a good long weapon to beat off angry crowds and mean dogs ;).
.
If you can afford the 2.8 go for it. If you plan on lots of very slow shutter speeds get the IS. No problem hand holding the IS down to 1/8 second or less and still maintain sharpness. Best of luck!

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

05/21/2007 02:22:29 PM · #12

Originally posted by Tom:

You could use that as an excuse to upgrade to a 1-series, less likely to need repairs if you plan on getting cut off more often :P

skylercall

Canon EOS-7D

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

05/21/2007 02:38:24 PM · #13

I have rented this lens twice and borrowed it from a friend another time. I absolutely loved it and plan on buying my own soon.

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

05/22/2007 07:16:39 AM · #14

Hey all,

After looking at the photos from this lens and what

Simms posted I couldnt resist purchasing this lens, in fact I got so excited I paid for the 1-2 day shipping so if everything goes well I will have it this weekend!

Thanks to all for you advice,

Rich

skylercall

Canon EOS-7D

05/22/2007 07:56:30 AM · #15

Just don't expect it to work well with your Fisher Price Kid-tough Digital Camera.

Telehubbie

05/22/2007 08:12:25 AM · #16

Congrats! You will love it, and I'm sure you will put it to good use. Remember to use the tripod collar if you use a tripod/monopod with it. It took me a while to remember that. Also, if you use a Manfrotto tripod with the RC2 mount and have the grip on the 20D, you'll need to mount the lens backwards on the tripod otherwise the quick release will not be able to fully open to mount the camera (hard to explain here). Have fun with the new toy!

05/22/2007 08:25:06 AM · #17

Originally posted by Telehubbie:

Does it come with the tripod collar????

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

05/22/2007 08:25:40 AM · #18

Originally posted by skylercall:

Just don't expect it to work well with your Fisher Price Kid-tough Digital Camera.

You mean the L series lens wont fit on my Fisher price camera????? :)

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

05/22/2007 08:25:51 AM · #19

Originally posted by Hot_Pixel:

Does it come with the tripod collar????

Yes it does :-)

05/22/2007 08:28:48 AM · #20

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by Hot_Pixel:
Does it come with the tripod collar????
Yes it does :-)

Wow, you guys had me worried there for a minute. Thanks Kirbic. I was on the website of the place I ordered looking to see it it did....

Thanks again,
Rich

Telehubbie

05/22/2007 09:06:44 AM · #21

Originally posted by Hot_Pixel:

Wow, you guys had me worried there for a minute. Thanks Kirbic. I was on the website of the place I ordered looking to see it it did....

Sorry, stepped away for a minute. I didn't mean to sound like it didn't come with it, sorry for the confusion. Oh, another thing, remember that it rotates so you don't need to turn your tripod head for portrait-oriented shots. :-)

05/22/2007 09:33:13 AM · #22

Originally posted by Telehubbie:

Originally posted by Hot_Pixel:

Wow, you guys had me worried there for a minute. Thanks Kirbic. I was on the website of the place I ordered looking to see it it did....

Sorry, stepped away for a minute. I didn't mean to sound like it didn't come with it, sorry for the confusion. Oh, another thing, remember that it rotates so you don't need to turn your tripod head for portrait-oriented shots. :-)

Hey no worries, and thanks for all the great tips on usage.

Rich

Simms

05/22/2007 09:39:31 AM · #23

Rich,

I cant believe you fell for it!!! The 70-200 f2.8IS is a dreadful lens, yukky contrast, soft images, noisy autofocus and very plasticy feel/finish to it.. not worth any more than $300 in my opinion...

Just kidding!!

glad my advice was helpful, hope it arrives in time for the weekend. I know you will not be disappointed. I still cannot recommend it highly enough..

Originally posted by Hot_Pixel:

Hey all,

After looking at the photos from this lens and what Simms posted I couldnt resist purchasing this lens, in fact I got so excited I paid for the 1-2 day shipping so if everything goes well I will have it this weekend!

Thanks to all for you advice,

Rich

Simms