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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L vs. f/4L ?
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 07/29/2009 04:30:40 PM · #1
I have the Canon 70-200 f/4L IS USM and love it, but I am considering getting the f/2.8L IS USM version for the speed and better bokeh. Will I see significant difference? Has anyone used both versions and what are your experiences?

If I sell the F/4 I will get only $500 and the F/2.8 is $1,600+.

My other lenses are:

24-105L (f/4)
16-35 II (f/2.8)
100mm macro (f/2.8)

I am also looking at the Canon 15mm Fisheye. I also see that Sigma makes a 4.5mm an 8mm and a 10mm. I have no experience with fisheyes. Can someone steer me in the right direction?

I am shooting full frame on a 5D Mark II.
 07/29/2009 04:39:58 PM · #2
I've owned both and whilst I'll probably get blasted for saying this whilst the 2.8 L IS is a great lens its not something you want to hike with for 5 hours. If I had the chance again I'd have kept the F4 and spent the £1.5k saving on, well, maybe a car lol!
 07/29/2009 06:26:17 PM · #3
Originally posted by alexzen:
I have the Canon 70-200 f/4L IS USM and love it, but I am considering getting the f/2.8L IS USM version for the speed and better bokeh. Will I see significant difference? Has anyone used both versions and what are your experiences?

If I sell the F/4 I will get only $500 and the F/2.8 is $1,600+.

My other lenses are:

24-105L (f/4)
16-35 II (f/2.8)
100mm macro (f/2.8)

I am also looking at the Canon 15mm Fisheye. I also see that Sigma makes a 4.5mm an 8mm and a 10mm. I have no experience with fisheyes. Can someone steer me in the right direction?

I am shooting full frame on a 5D Mark II.


I really like my 70-200 f4 and I won't spend the dough for that extra stop unless I really need it professionally and far I don't. The f4 is such a good lens that it's easy to shoot wide open with excellent results.

Fisheyes are fum to play with, but, given your current line of lenses, I, personally, would opt for something else. If you want some really wide angle shots, take a look at the Sigma 12-24. Yes, it overlaps with your 16-35, but the difference between the field of view at 12mm vs. the field of view at 16mm is significant. Otherwise, you might start thinking about some fast primes, for the $1100 you could get the 50mm f1.4, the 85mm f1.8 and have some cash left over.

07/29/2009 06:26:35 PM · #4
The 70-200 f/4L IS sells more in the neighborhood of $925 on the used market
 07/29/2009 06:32:47 PM · #5
Originally posted by photodude:
The 70-200 f/4L IS sells more in the neighborhood of $925 on the used market

SHHHH!!

About that old, clunky F/4... =D
 07/29/2009 06:33:41 PM · #6
the 2.8 L IS is a great lens its not something you want to hike with for 5 hours

That was my initial reason for buying the f/4L. I travel alot and weight is factor.

I really like my 70-200 f4 and I won't spend the dough for that extra stop unless I really need it professionally and far I don't.

I like what I am hearing. With the 5D Mark II the high ISO capabilities more than compensate for one extra stop. I am shooting at 3200 ISO with acceptable noise.

I guess if speed is not an issue, then going for a prime at f/1.4 or f/1.8 would certainly give me the bokeh I am looking for.

Great feedback. Thanks.

07/29/2009 06:36:59 PM · #7
Originally posted by alexzen:
the 2.8 L IS is a great lens its not something you want to hike with for 5 hours

That was my initial reason for buying the f/4L. I travel alot and weight is factor.

I really like my 70-200 f4 and I won't spend the dough for that extra stop unless I really need it professionally and far I don't.

I like what I am hearing. With the 5D Mark II the high ISO capabilities more than compensate for one extra stop. I am shooting at 3200 ISO with acceptable noise.

I guess if speed is not an issue, then going for a prime at f/1.4 or f/1.8 would certainly give me the bokeh I am looking for.

Great feedback. Thanks.


For great Bokeh, I recommend the 85mm f1.8 (unless you have the dough for the f1.2 version) The 50mm f1.4 is nice too, but I'd avoid the 50mm f1.8 because the bokeh just isn't that smooth.
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