Canon 70-200mm EF f4L USM

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aderowlands81

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Recently won a PPI claim against the evil bank *shakes fist* and I probably should be looking at putting the money towards a new boiler but thats a bit too grown up and responsible, so I'm looking at a new lens, specifically the Canon 70-200mm EF f4L USM non IS version. I'd be using it as an every day zoom, with the occasional foray into the forests for rally photography, does anyone here use one/reccomend it? Reviews seem very good but I'd like to get some viewpoints off here because theres everything from pros to amateurs like me here. Also is it compatible with the canon 1.4 extender and if it is, will it be auto focus or manual only? or should I hang on and save a bit extra for Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 APO EX DG Macro HSM II which again would be used for the same purposes listed above. All help appreciated.
 
I have an older 70/210, I cant get a realy sharp shot below 1/500, unless I'm proped against something, so for me IS will be a must if I'm going to spend that sort of money on a lens, or it will be a waste of money, have you tried one yet to see at what speed you can hand hold?
Just a thought.
1.4 converter works fine, from what I have read.

Matt
 
the 70-200 f/4 non IS is a stunningly sharp lens and it is compatible with the 1.4x extender however it then becomes a f/5.6 lens.
i would reccomend this lens wihout hesitation if you don't feel that you need the f/2.8. all my aircraft pictures, bird pictures and most of my horse pictures on my flickr are taken with it if you wanted to take a look. and the helicopter pics were taken with it with the 1.4x extender.

with a monopod i have used this lens with the 1.4 extender (280mm) at 1/20th of a second though it was hit and miss, 1/60th with the monopod was far more reliable.

remember that IS won't help stop motion just camera shake, and if you are saving up for the IS version i would recommend just getting the f/2.8 version as it is not much more then and you get f/2.8 which helps for focusing etc
 
I'm with Alistair.
The F4 L is an incredible lens.
Same say it's even sharper than the 2.8 IS. But weather that's true or not.....

Much better option than the Sigma 2.8.
The 70-200mm F4 L has a VERY good reputation, for a reason!
 
Stunning lens, you would be hard pushed to find better.

Expect a short learning curve with it though, then all will be golden :thumbs:
 
without a doubt the sigma. got 2 now and without a doubt they are phenominal for the price.

you can shoot a f2.8 at f4 but not the other way around, and youll normally need it in those gloomy forest rally stages.
 
So given that Rally GB takes place in murky weather normally, with my luck anyway, is the f4 going to do the job? looking at shutter speeds above 1/100
 
No problems, I have documented a film shot in a forest, lots of cloudy day mountain sports and early evening rugby games with the f/4 and with stunning results.
 
Also, I know it isnt weatherproofed, but is it fairly water resistant? talking drizzle/shower not torrential downpour.
 
i have used mine in horrendus conditions and it has been fine. by this i mean torrential rain which was making it hard to see through the viewfinder due to water getting in the way.
but i am aware that it isnt weathersealed and always keep it in a warm dry environment after to ensure any moisture that worked its way in gets out.
i need to get a weathersealed lens to go with my weathersealed body lol :P
 
alastairb said:
i have used mine in horrendus conditions and it has been fine. by this i mean torrential rain which was making it hard to see through the viewfinder due to water getting in the way.
but i am aware that it isnt weathersealed and always keep it in a warm dry environment after to ensure any moisture that worked its way in gets out.
i need to get a weathersealed lens to go with my weathersealed body lol :P
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The photos you have from Cad on flickr, the were taken with the F4 with the 1.4 extender? I'm impressed if they were. Didnt get many that good when I had the Canon 100-400.
 
i've used one for about 12 months and when i manage to get things right (not often), this lens produces contrasty images that are sharper than stephen fry. however, on a crop body, i find it occasionally just a little long for rallying. i mean you can use it in forests but i wish i had a full frame body to reign it in a little. works extremely well with a 1.4x BUT this slows autofocus a lot.
 
Thanks for all the help, going to try one out next time I venture into town but I'm 90% sure I'm going for the F4.
 
andy_fozzy said:
I'm with Alistair.
The F4 L is an incredible lens.
Same say it's even sharper than the 2.8 IS. But weather that's true or not.....

Much better option than the Sigma 2.8.
The 70-200mm F4 L has a VERY good reputation, for a reason!
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I'd agree with that the f4 is a superb lens (and is amazing value for money), nice fast AF and sharp wide open. I've also heard that it's sharper than the f2.8 IS but don't know if it's true (will get the chance to test them side by side in a week or two). I do know that my f4 is significantly better than the Sigma f2.8 that I had before, faster AF and much better IQ. I know the Canon is a stop slower but unless you need an f2.8 lens then I'd definitely go for it instead of the Sigma.
 
70-300 IS? Just a thought. Very good lens for not much money. You won't need the telecon and it's got IS which frankly I wouldn't want to be without.
 
HoppyUK said:
70-300 IS? Just a thought. Very good lens for not much money. You won't need the telecon and it's got IS which frankly I wouldn't want to be without.
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Not really fussed on the IS aspect of things, those cars dont stay still for long. Though I am looking at an IS lens for my secondary lens probably Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM
 
i have owned 3 long lenses specifically for rallying

70-200 2.8 NON IS canon
70-200 4 NON IS canon
100-300 4 Sigma

The 70-200 f/4 is by far the best lens, sharper than the 2.8, focus speed on a (bloody fast) par with the 2.8 and both spank the sigma (which is very good)


Buy the 70-200/4, no problems atall for rallying, unless it's very dark....it's normally either light or dark, no inbetween where you might need f/3.2 or 2.8, it's either beyond 2.8 or over 4 (as a generalisation)

If it does get too dark for the f/4, bump the iso up, if it gets darker, drop the shutter and practice panning, if it then gets too dark....go home, rally's over!

BUY IT
 
c_robinson said:
i have owned 3 long lenses specifically for rallying

70-200 2.8 NON IS canon
70-200 4 NON IS canon
100-300 4 Sigma

The 70-200 f/4 is by far the best lens, sharper than the 2.8, focus speed on a (bloody fast) par with the 2.8 and both spank the sigma (which is very good)


Buy the 70-200/4, no problems atall for rallying, unless it's very dark....it's normally either light or dark, no inbetween where you might need f/3.2 or 2.8, it's either beyond 2.8 or over 4 (as a generalisation)

If it does get too dark for the f/4, bump the iso up, if it gets darker, drop the shutter and practice panning, if it then gets too dark....go home, rally's over!

BUY IT
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YES SIR!
 
Seriously gutted about selling my f4.....sharpest lens I've ever had! Shame I need that extra stop of light for indoor use or else I'd be definitely be keeping it no questions asked!! :thumbs:

Never used the Sigma, but I've heard nothing but good things about it to be honest....seems very good value! :shrug:
 
Roll on the end of the month when everything is paid for and whats left is mine to spend on a new toy. It's going to be damned nice buying instead of selling for the first time in a lng time!
 
Its a brilliant lens, but I find that it isn't long enough for things like small wildlife or sports that you can't stand right next to - however with the 1.4 converter and your 40d over my 350d, you can easily get a much better crop than I can.
 
Slimbert said:
I haven't yet....it's still up for sale in the classifieds, and rather oddly, no one has bought it yet!! :thinking:
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Fantastic price for an L lens. I will hang on to mine as it is an awesome portrait lens too.
 
I've also been looking at this lens but for the four legged type of sport. As it'll be hand held am I better off looking at IS, is there enough difference to warrant the difference in price?:thinking:
 
Slimbert said:
I haven't yet....it's still up for sale in the classifieds, and rather oddly, no one has bought it yet!! :thinking:
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Me to if im honest, its one of the cheapest I have seen it for! There normally snapped up. Its just come at the wrong time for me. :(
 
Treesie said:
I've also been looking at this lens but for the four legged type of sport. As it'll be hand held am I better off looking at IS, is there enough difference to warrant the difference in price?:thinking:
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Depends if you're in low light or not....IS is purely for camera shake when your shutter speed isn't so fast. If your panning a moving subject it won't help much, or if the light is good enough or you can bump up your ISO so you have a fast enough shutter speed, it's probably not needed....IS isn't usually good for action sports but there's exceptions to every rule!
 
no, cos unless you're a spastic 1/200 will kill any camera shake. Horses generally need faster speeds all the time ;)
 
Shoot wide open, up the ISO and IS will be almost redundant.....

IS really only comes in to it's own when you're shooting in really low light, and you need a super steady camera!

If you can afford it, then buy it.....if you can't, don't! :thumbs:
 
david1701 said:
no, cos unless you're a spastic 1/200 will kill any camera shake. Horses generally need faster speeds all the time ;)
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No, Im grateful I'm not but I'm also thinking horses/riders near still.
 
Slimbert said:
Shoot wide open, up the ISO and IS will be almost redundant.....

IS really only comes in to it's own when you're shooting in really low light, and you need a super steady camera!

If you can afford it, then buy it.....if you can't, don't! :thumbs:
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Thats the bottom line:)
Ok david, Slim, Perfect .. you've all had a hand in making my mind up, its non IS, thanks:lol:
Im off to the classifieds :)
 
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