EF 70-200

[oblivion]

F 2.8 L IS II USM.

Looking at the above, does it mean you cannot control depth of field at all as you're stuck with 2.8 only? What if I wanted to add more detail in the picture I'm taking?

 

[tijuana taxi]

That's the minimum aperture so fill yer boots from there on up

 

[God]

I mean this in the nicest possible way, but why are you looking at a lens like that and asking questions like that?

I guess what Im trying to say is why not get to grips with something a bit cheaper perhaps, and then learn the ropes?

Of course if you have just won the lotto and want to splash out, then knock yourself out old boy!

 

[Moreorless]

I mean this in the nicest possible way, but why are you looking at a lens like that and asking questions like that?

I guess what Im trying to say is why not get to grips with something a bit cheaper perhaps, and then learn the ropes?

Of course if you have just won the lotto and want to splash out, then knock yourself out old boy!

To be fair if you've got the money to spend you will see clear benefits from using such a lens even its only used with automated modes.

 

[SpikeK6]

I mean this in the nicest possible way, but why are you looking at a lens like that and asking questions like that?

I guess what Im trying to say is why not get to grips with something a bit cheaper perhaps, and then learn the ropes?

Of course if you have just won the lotto and want to splash out, then knock yourself out old boy!

I was thinking this myself, then I thought about the way I think and that is: if you can afford the best then get it and learn with it, if your pics are still carp then its you not the equipment.
I bought a 100-400 about 3 months after getting my first camera, I still need to learn loads but like said if the pics do not turn out good then its me.

To the Op the answer has been said already that is the widest f number but you can change it in camera to suit your needs.

spike

 

[God]

To be fair if you've got the money to spend you will see clear benefits from using such a lens even its only used with automated modes.

I was thinking this myself, then I thought about the way I think and that is: if you can afford the best then get it and learn with it, if your pics are still carp then its you not the equipment.
I bought a 100-400 about 3 months after getting my first camera, I still need to learn loads but like said if the pics do not turn out good then its me.

To the Op the answer has been said already that is the widest f number but you can change it in camera to suit your needs.

spike

You are, or course, both absolutely right. I apologise if my coment seemed narrow minded - I had to skrimp and save for my copy of this lens and it is simply amazing so you wont regret it if you do get it. And like mentioned, if you cannot get good results with it then you at least know its not the kit.

What camera would you be using this with out of curiosity?

 

[acetone]

If the OP can afford the lens then in the long run it's the cheapest way to go about it, better than forever upgrading, I was rasie with the mantra "Buy The Best You Can Afford"

The answer to the depth of field has been posted above, and if you look at the spec of the camera on the canon site it will give you the min and max f-stop f2.8 to f32

 

[oblivion]

Ok firstly I am not looking to buy it, not unless I win the lotto. It was just a curious question and having read your comments I still can't see the answer.

According to the canon website it states that 2.8 is the maximum aperture and does not list any other nor a minimum? Unless I'm on the wrong page as it states it's a 2.8 max constant aperture throughout the zoom. I currently own a 550d with an 18-55mm f3.5 - f5.6. Having read a lens review if it's a constant aperture it will only list the one f stop. This bis where I'm getting confused as this large lens only has the one number listed and it just got me thinking about dof. Am I making sense?

The page I'm looking at is http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Pro...s/Telephoto_Zoom/EF_70-200mm_f2.8L_IS_II_USM/

 

[kieranmcmanus]

my advice is to go and learn the basics of photography before looking at 2k lenses

 

[tijuana taxi]

Am I making sense?

Not really, but we all have to learn

Constant aperture means you can use f/2.8 from 70mm to 200mm whereas your lens can only use f/3.5 at the wide end e.g. 18mm and will have a maximum of f/5.6 at 55mm

You can also use all the other available aperture settings throughout the focal range up to something like f/22 which would give the greatest depth of field available.

 

[Canon Bob]

When a zoom lens is advertised as being "constant aperture" it means that that aperture is available throughout the focal length range. Your 18-55/3.5-5.6 has a max aperture of f/3.5 at 18mm and that maximum drops to f/5.6 when you move out to 55mm.

Bob

Too slow...just as he says above

 

[gembobs]

What it means is that the widest aperture is f2.8 and this will give you a fairly narrow depth of field. This is available throughout the full zoom range, unlike your 18-55 as has been explained above.

However, like the vast majority of lenses (some old fashioned mirror lenses have a fixed aperture I believe), it can be stopped down to whatever aperture you feel like to around f22 and thereby increasing the depth of field.

 

[oblivion]

my advice is to go and learn the basics of photography before looking at 2k lenses

That's exactly why I'm here asking questions.

Thanks for explaining it as I now realise where I was getting confused. Totally makes sense now.