Canon 70-200 L USM F4

parker455

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Hi there,

Just wanted to check with everyone. What's your views on this lens? I can pick one up fairly cheaply for what they are and i'm wondering how it performs?

What's the focusing speed like? How sharp is it?

It's got to be a good lens, with 'L' status.

Only thing that would bother me would be the f4 aperture, i'd rather the 2.8 but i feel they're far too expensive for me at this point in time.

Thanks people!

Tom
 
I think it is a cracker of a lens.
Fast to focus, tack sharp and sooooo much lighter than the 2.8 variety.

I borrowed a copy of the f2.8 (non IS) and found the sharpness disappointing at the side of my f4.
 
I can get one for £400 with 6months warranty, worth it? It's replacing my walkabout lens until I've got funds to buy a 17-70.

Thanks!
 
Ive had one

Let me just say these things:

1) If youve never had one - get one
2) It will be the best purchase youve made
3) Its outstanding


I waited, deliberated, and wondered whether it was as good as Id heard

I bought one and wondered why Id wasted so much time being hesitant

Get one - I guarantee you will adore it

Unreservedly
 
There are about 5,000 threads on this forum all saying how good the 70-200 L f4 is!

So just get it.
 
I made a comparison test yesterday between the 70-200mm L (non is) and the 55-250 is. I posted a link to the results on a previous discussion (can't link, on mobile). Might help.a.little in the decision making process.
 
I can get one for £400 with 6months warranty, worth it? It's replacing my walkabout lens until I've got funds to buy a 17-70.

Thanks!

70mm is going to be very long on a crop for a walkabout lens.
 
It's too late guys! I went for it and got it today from MBP Photographic, hopefully it arrives in good time!

Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond, i'll b e sure to post up photos when it comes through. Now i've gotta save for a 17-70 sigma, really excited to use this!

:Dd
 
Seems like you already made your mind up before posting the thread :p

I used a 2.8 version all day yesterday on a 1D mk2 and I'm paying for it today. The weight of the thing is alot. But I found it very sharp and lovely dof. I'm saving for the 2.8 is mk1 version or the 4 is version
 
I hadn't really, i was going to get a 70-200 2.8, likely the sigma one.. But i found the L lens at a price i was willing to pay as i sold my other lens yesterday.. works out about £150 i'm putting toward it rather than the full price. Let's hope it pays off! haha.

Sounds awesome, good luck!
 
I'm sure it won't come off the camera for a few weeks anyhow :p have fun with it!
 
one of my fave shots was with the 70-200 L f4 attached to a 40d

5404025491_36a152c1af_z.jpg


VFM they are awesome, small and light for what they are.
 
parker455 said:
Hi there,

Just wanted to check with everyone. What's your views on this lens? I can pick one up fairly cheaply for what they are and i'm wondering how it performs?

What's the focusing speed like? How sharp is it?

It's got to be a good lens, with 'L' status.

Only thing that would bother me would be the f4 aperture, i'd rather the 2.8 but i feel they're far too expensive for me at this point in time.

Thanks people!

Tom

2.8 is over priced and not the shRpest tool in the box. I have the f/4 non is and is perfect, used on my 7d works well in high iso aswell :-) go and get it mate.
 
Many many congrts for your new lens. Please do post the photos immediately as I am also thinking in your way. Cheers
 
I hope I do, I can't actually afford the lens eve though I've spent the cash. I've got to have a sell up now!:(
 
You will love it! It was one of the best investments I ever made.

Here's an example of the lens at 200mm wide open at f4 just to give you an idea of how good it is.

6041680051_0a53fbd7b5_b_d.jpg
 
as much i dont like to use zooms any more, the f/4 does hold its weight in sharpness and i really do like it.
 
As above. IMO it offers the best value in price/performance of all the L lenses. I'm just a bit puzzled that the OP wants it as a walkabout lens until he can afford a 17 - 70?
 
The photos i've seen it produce are insanely sharp. I'm incredibly happy to get the chance to buy it.

Regarding the above, i'll be using it as a walkabout as i've just sold mine until i have enough cash to get the 17-70, i just couldn't pass this one up!
 
I bought one to replace the 75-300mm I used to have, it was easily one of the best purchases I've made! Enjoy :)
 
It's coming tomorrow! Cannot wait!

Shame i'm using it on a crop body, might eventually pick up a 5D classic once the new one comes out..
 
It came!

It's not too bad, i'll take it out tomorrow to test it in the full light. Seems pretty sharp so far.

It looks mad, it doesn't fit in my camera bag!
 
Sighs......
Give you 12 months and you will sell it 2nd hand and upgrade to the IS version....

You will soon get frustrated with having to bump the ISO up so that you can keep the shutter speed up around 1/focal length(x1.6)

The british weather aint always that kind to us....

That said....

Both my non-IS and now IS versions have been super sharp

Enjoy

Here is an IS shot:

A pile. by kennysarmy, on Flickr

This is a non-IS shot

Done it... by kennysarmy, on Flickr
 
Buttkicker said:
Then another 12 months and you will sell it second hand and upgrade to the F2.8IS 2 version
and then wonder why you did not do it in the first place:bonk:

Sounds about right. Been there and love the 2.8 II ... :)
 
Mate that's why I went straight ahead and bought the mk2 f2.8. Don't have to worry and say "what if?"
 
Well yeah but no-one has an unlimited budget and the price difference twixt the two is most of the cost of a new 7D or used 5Dmk2 :)
 
Agreed, it's fine for now and I'd rather pay the upgrades over the course of time than straight away.
 
parker455 said:
Agreed, it's fine for now and I'd rather pay the upgrades over the course of time than straight away.

Thats my thoughts sometimes, other times it's, just save for the more expensive item :p
 
At once I suppose, over all, it's still a fair nit of cash
 
I guess it's a kind of 'loan' or repayment scheme in my head, makes the blow less overthe course of time. I know for sure I wouldn't want to lash that amount of cash overnight
 
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