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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Canon 70-200/F4 L recommendation
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10/20/2011 01:13:21 PM · #1
Hi All,

I'm busy pondering stepping up to some nicer lenses as a graduation gift to myself. Right now I have a Canon T2i/550D with the 50mm/1.8 and the 18-55is/3.5-5.6 IS & 55-250/4-5.6 IS combo. The lenses work well enough for me, but find that the quality of my 55-250 lets me down more often than not, mostly due to it being a very slow lens. While the IS helps, the fact that I have to often shoot at f/5.6 at the long end means I either have to shoot with long shutter speeds (not good for moving subjects) or high ISO (not good for noise).

SO, cut long story short, I'm looking to get the L 70-200/4 USM lens used. Everything I read and hear is that this is a superb lens for the money and incredibly sharp.

My question is, what should be a decent price to pay for a used 2nd-hand lens?? On Ebay, I see them going for ~$650. Is this a good price for the lens, or can they be had for cheaper elsewhere? Also, would the difference in image quality be worth $650 considering I am a amateur hobbyist and have no intentions of ever going professional.

Also open to suggestions for other lenses (sigma/tamron) that may be of equal quality for lesser price. Any suggestions welcome.

Message edited by author 2011-10-20 13:14:29.
10/20/2011 01:25:30 PM · #2
Amazon has it new for 650 right now.
10/20/2011 01:27:08 PM · #3
Well, the 70-200/4 is a wonderful lens, there's no doubt about that. There's also no doubt that it's a full stop faster than your current telephoto. It looks like you are looking at the non-IS version, though, and I think you'd be giving up a lot in that range of focal lengths. The IS will normally make more than a stop difference, so unless you are worried about keeping shutter speed up for live subjects, the 70-200 gives you no net advantage in light-gathering.
Keep in mind that used L glass in top shape typically goes for >85% of new value, so you are not going to save a lot of cash. A little, yes, but be careful whom you buy from. There is a very good buy/sell forum over on fredmiranda.com.
10/20/2011 02:32:36 PM · #4
i had the lense till i upgraded to the 2.8 version and save the speed and weight id say opitically there not much in it, its a cracking lense i bought mine second hand and it takes an amazing picture one of teh best cheaper L you can get, couldn't recommend it enough on a crop frame though it more like a 100-300 but still great lense.
10/20/2011 02:56:36 PM · #5
Originally posted by kirbic:

Well, the 70-200/4 is a wonderful lens, there's no doubt about that. There's also no doubt that it's a full stop faster than your current telephoto. It looks like you are looking at the non-IS version, though, and I think you'd be giving up a lot in that range of focal lengths. The IS will normally make more than a stop difference, so unless you are worried about keeping shutter speed up for live subjects, the 70-200 gives you no net advantage in light-gathering.

Thanks Kirbic. So, I gain one stop in aperture, but I lose one stop in IS. So, all things being equal they should be able to handle static objects the same. The L should deal with moving objects a little better though with that extra stop.

Even if there was no real benefit in shutter speed, I assume that the real benefit would be in the image quality then?

Originally posted by bmatt17:

Amazon has it new for 650 right now.

Thanks for the heads-up! Much rather buy new than used!
10/20/2011 03:01:05 PM · #6
First of all, congrats on your graduation :)

I had the lens you are considering as my first longish lens and can verify that it is quick to focus and tack sharp as well. I eventually sold it to get the IS model of the same lens which does help me quite a bit in dark and dreary Seattle I have to say. You do pay quite a premium for the addition of IS though, so if you can manage without it you save quite a bit.
As far as getting one used goes, have you considered Craigslist? Hopefully you could find a local seller and actually meet with them to verify everything is in proper working order. But as a previous poster mentioned, with used Canon L glass holding so much value it might make more sense to have the peace of mind you would get with buying a new lens.

Good luck with your decision!
10/20/2011 03:08:34 PM · #7
Thanks all...just stumbled across the the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM and reading some very good reviews on this lens on FM. Maybe not quite as sharp as the 70-200/4, but is 100mm longer and has IS.

Anyone have first hand experience with this lens and how it compares to the 70-200?
10/20/2011 04:17:58 PM · #8
Originally posted by gcoulson:

Thanks all...just stumbled across the the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM and reading some very good reviews on this lens on FM. Maybe not quite as sharp as the 70-200/4, but is 100mm longer and has IS.

Anyone have first hand experience with this lens and how it compares to the 70-200?


I own and like it. From 200 to 300 mm it tends to get a bit soft, so I would suggest to not to value the additional 100 mm too high. Overall a good lens, but the 70-200/4 is certainly better in that range. I would not want to miss the IS, though, that is a big advantage.
10/20/2011 07:57:28 PM · #9
Originally posted by bjoern:

Originally posted by gcoulson:

Thanks all...just stumbled across the the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM and reading some very good reviews on this lens on FM. Maybe not quite as sharp as the 70-200/4, but is 100mm longer and has IS.

Anyone have first hand experience with this lens and how it compares to the 70-200?


I own and like it. From 200 to 300 mm it tends to get a bit soft, so I would suggest to not to value the additional 100 mm too high. Overall a good lens, but the 70-200/4 is certainly better in that range. I would not want to miss the IS, though, that is a big advantage.

So the choice is an extra 100mm and IS or one stop extra and a sharper image?
10/20/2011 11:35:58 PM · #10
My favorite lens! Sure it would be nice to get the IS version, but it's a lot more money. This is my only L series lens and I am so glad I purchased it. Gives me nature shots that are sharp, clear with a lot of pop. I am still amazed at the images that come from this lens. It's really something special and a great first L series lens for your Canon. I say get it! :) It holds it's value, so if you come into some money later, you can upgrade! Congrats! Happy shooting!
10/21/2011 12:03:33 AM · #11
seems crazy to me to lose part of the zoom range and a few stops of IS for 1 stop of ap. It may be sharper but do you print at sizes where it will be noticeable?

I have the exact same setup as you but with a T1i and I haven't felt restricted, just turn up the ISO a bit if you are shooting outdoors.

I wasn't sure I would really use the 55-250 when I got it but it seems to be my main lens for the DSLR. I use it for birds and bugs in the yard and have gotten some pretty cool hummingbird shots with it.
10/21/2011 12:18:05 AM · #12
I dunno there is a matching lens for the same price... It's just a great lens and a great price. I think any of the 4 variations are great but I love my old f4 non IS.
10/21/2011 12:40:19 AM · #13
Originally posted by Zeissman:


I have the exact same setup as you but with a T1i and I haven't felt restricted, just turn up the ISO a bit if you are shooting outdoors.

I wasn't sure I would really use the 55-250 when I got it but it seems to be my main lens for the DSLR. I use it for birds and bugs in the yard and have gotten some pretty cool hummingbird shots with it.

I haven't really been sold on the 55-250. I find I struggle to get sharp images with any moving subject if there isn't plenty of light. Otherwise, the shutter speeds are simply to slow to stop the motion. I have tried bumping the ISO to compensate, but I find anything above ISO 800 with the T2i is just horrible in terms of noise.

So for this, the extra stop of light would benefit me more than the utility of the IS which is great for static objects.
10/21/2011 01:03:32 AM · #14
I'd also recommend looking at the Sigma 70-200/2.8, which is available in both IS and non-IS versions. I imagine you'll be looking at similar pricing the Canon. I've found the IQ of the Sigma to be great and the extra stop can be very useful. Don't forget that faster glass isn't just about low light - F2.8 compared to F4 provides a shallower DOF, which can be great for getting some nice bokeh in the background of shots. Just my $0.02.
10/21/2011 02:05:50 AM · #15
Originally posted by bjoern:

Originally posted by gcoulson:

Thanks all...just stumbled across the the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM and reading some very good reviews on this lens on FM. Maybe not quite as sharp as the 70-200/4, but is 100mm longer and has IS.

Anyone have first hand experience with this lens and how it compares to the 70-200?


I own and like it. From 200 to 300 mm it tends to get a bit soft, so I would suggest to not to value the additional 100 mm too high. Overall a good lens, but the 70-200/4 is certainly better in that range. I would not want to miss the IS, though, that is a big advantage.

This was taken handheld with the 70-300 f/4-5.6 USM.

I've had both the lenses and would have to say I like the 70-300 better than the 70-200 in most cases. I like the fact that is was lighter with a longer range.
10/21/2011 07:40:37 AM · #16
Originally posted by gcoulson:

So the choice is an extra 100mm and IS or one stop extra and a sharper image?


I would say that sums it up quite well.

I also have the 70-200/2.8, but if I travel I still always take the 70-300 because it's so much less heavy. I would suspect that the difference in weight is less remarkable with the 70-200/4, though.
10/23/2011 09:34:27 PM · #17
Seems like I can pick up a 70-200/4 for a really good price. Just wanted to confirm that I shouldn't have any issues using this lens on an EF-S camera (Canon T2i/550D), or perhaps not get the full quality of the lens with a camera like mine?
10/23/2011 10:01:44 PM · #18
Originally posted by gcoulson:

Seems like I can pick up a 70-200/4 for a really good price. Just wanted to confirm that I shouldn't have any issues using this lens on an EF-S camera (Canon T2i/550D), or perhaps not get the full quality of the lens with a camera like mine?


Nope, you'll milk every bit of quality it's capable of on the cropped-sensor camera. Go for it!

R.
10/23/2011 10:20:24 PM · #19
Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by gcoulson:

Seems like I can pick up a 70-200/4 for a really good price. Just wanted to confirm that I shouldn't have any issues using this lens on an EF-S camera (Canon T2i/550D), or perhaps not get the full quality of the lens with a camera like mine?


Nope, you'll milk every bit of quality it's capable of on the cropped-sensor camera. Go for it!

R.

I disagree [not :-)]... It was the first L I owned as well and you might as well put your other cheapo lenses up for sale now.... It will be the opposite... you will start seeing how BAD most of your other lenses really are :-) I think Canon sell that f4 lens for the same reason crack dealers give out samples :-)
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