70-200 2.8 or 4? Help me decide - DPChallenge Forums

01/04/2006 02:06:47 AM · #1

Here is my dilemma - I have a Sigma 70-300 4-5.6 APO Super 2 that i don't use much. I recently acquired a tamron 70-210 2.8 (a nice lens, but older tech and the front element rotates when focusing).

I was thinking of selling the Sigma and getting a 1.4x extender...

But it occured to me i could sell both lenses and get a Canon 70-200 f4L - a nice new L lens - but a stop slower than the Tamron.

Good idea, bad idea - or is there a better idea?

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

01/04/2006 02:21:15 AM · #2

You know the answer to that. The 70-300 has taught you if f/4.0 is enough for you. Bear in mind the Canon f/4 is constant, right out to 200mm. The lens is simply outstanding, optically, in feel, in how it performs physically. I love it. I had considered getting the f/2.8 version but it is MUCH larger and heavier and I liekd how the f/4.0 felt.

I love that lens.

Robt.

Nitin

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

01/04/2006 02:24:51 AM · #3

Robt, Your lens collection looks like my wishlist :)

I have the 60mm f/2.8 and love it. Was stupid enough to buy the 18-55mm kit lens off ebay. I'm trying to budget one more lens this year - should be the 70-200 f4. The f2.8 is 2-3 times more expensive and heavier.

01/04/2006 02:29:50 AM · #4

i have not held the canon lens. I may have to try that. The tamron is 3 pounds - a real solidly built all metal monster. You know it's metal when you go shooting outside in the winter! LOL

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

01/04/2006 02:36:49 AM · #5

The Canon's 5.5 inches long, a littler over 3 inches in diameter, weighs 1.2 lbs. Hefty, but not absurd. Fits upright in a normal, medium-size bag. Definitely metal, though :-)

R.

NstiG8tr

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

01/04/2006 02:45:02 AM · #6

Against Roberts advice (no offense Robert) I went with the 70-200 F/2.8. I'm hoping I made the right decision by spending twice the money. I went through peoples portfolio that had both the F/4 and the F/2.8. Image quality looks to be the same for both. Speed is the only issue. But like Robert said, he does most of his shooting on a tripod so that's not really an issue for him. I like things in motion. We have a lot of eagles around here and different types of cranes, ducks and geese etc. Also I would like to try some sports photography. I went for the speed aspect. I guess we'll find out Thursday when it gets here if I made the right choice.
Sorry for one more thing Robert. You had me talked into the 60mm F/2.8 and I bought the 100mm F/2.8. My total bill was going to be high so I said to myself what's another $75.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

01/04/2006 02:55:02 AM · #7

Surfing over at FM for sale area and it looks like a Sigma 70-200 2.8 can be had for $600-650, a canon 70-200 f4 for $500-550.

So....it gets more complicated!

1) Keep the tamron, sell the Sigma and buy 1.4x OR put the $$ toward studio strobes.

2) sell both, and get a canon 70-200 f4

3) sell both, add $100 and get a Sigma 70-200 2.8, and wait on the strobes a while longer.

4)do nothing and go to bed ;)

NstiG8tr

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

01/04/2006 03:05:00 AM · #8

HHHHMMMMMMMMMMMM. I know the feeling. I stewed over my options for weeks.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

01/04/2006 03:21:36 AM · #9

Originally posted by dsmeth:

Actually, I didn't advise him :-) I just gave my reasons for getting the f/4.0. Had I had more money, I'd have surely gotten the f/2.8 as well, just because... But my point is, I am completely happy with the f/4.0 as far as its incredibly good optics, so it's a definite keeper. As for the 60mm/100mm, it was a question of gappage at the time. With my original lineup I had a hole beween wide angle and telephoto, and the 60mm made more sense. They are both nice. Now, of course, I have the excellent Tamron 28-75, and I rarely use the 60mm lens.

Robt.

Professor, get the danged Canon glass and then move on from there. If you ever DO decide you want to go to the f/2.8 you can recover virtually your entire investment in the f/4.0 on ebay no problem. Conceivably even make a profit or at least break even.

R.

NstiG8tr

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

01/04/2006 03:25:35 AM · #10

I guess you actually didn't did you. That was a poor choice of words.

lwkimages

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/06/2006 05:29:29 PM · #11

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

...

Professor, get the danged Canon glass and then move on from there. If you ever DO decide you want to go to the f/2.8 you can recover virtually your entire investment in the f/4.0 on ebay no problem. Conceivably even make a profit or at least break even.

R.

I wish that were true, Robert... I have a mint 70-200 f/4 that's for sale. I bought it a little over a year ago, but have hardly used it. I just purchased the 70-300 NON-DO which, for my purposes, is a better lens. On eBay, the used 70-200 f/4s are selling for around $500 - not bad, but not quite break even. I floated it on FM and got a nibble, but no real offers yet.

Prof-fate: I sent you a PM regarding my 70-200.

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

01/06/2006 05:36:33 PM · #12

Originally posted by lenkphotos:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:
...

Professor, get the danged Canon glass and then move on from there. If you ever DO decide you want to go to the f/2.8 you can recover virtually your entire investment in the f/4.0 on ebay no problem. Conceivably even make a profit or at least break even.

R.

I wish that were true, Robert... I have a mint 70-200 f/4 that's for sale. I bought it a little over a year ago, but have hardly used it. I just purchased the 70-300 NON-DO which, for my purposes, is a better lens. On eBay, the used 70-200 f/4s are selling for around $500 - not bad, but not quite break even. I floated it on FM and got a nibble, but no real offers yet.

Prof-fate: I sent you a PM regarding my 70-200.

I did say "conceivably" :-) In any case, it's holding its value very nicely don't you think? Try selling a car for that percentage of its original cost, or more to the point any of the less-attractive consumer lenses.

R.

theSaj

Canon EOS-20D

01/06/2006 05:37:32 PM · #13

Sounds like to me prof_fate you should sell both, take what money you get and buy lenkphotos 70-200 f/4 for around $500-$600 or so.

;)

deapee

Kodak V803

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

01/06/2006 05:53:45 PM · #14

Dude, don't even mess around with the f/4...in a year, you're going to want the f/2.8 and you know it...stick with what you have until you can get the best and then get it...

I've read in so many places folks getting the f4 and then getting rid of it for the 2.8.