What would you do?

squizza

squizza

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What would you do?

Keep the Canon L 70-200mm f4 IS USM

Or

Flog the above and get the Canon L f2.8 Non IS USM

Baring in mind I shoot wldlife which can be either moving or still.

Many thanks in advance guys!

Sarah
 
IS doesn't freeze movement in your subject, only removes it from the photographer.

If you use some kind of support when shooting, go for the non-IS one.
 
I bought the F4 IS and had the same dilemma for a while, thinking maybe I went the wrong way and should have got the 2.8 non-IS.

In the end I decided that, if I switched, I'd only end up hankering after the IS instead of the extra stop. I decided instead to wait until I could do what I really wanted and get the 2.8 IS :)
 
Vertigo1 said:
I bought the F4 IS and had the same dilemma for a while, thinking maybe I went the wrong way and should have got the 2.8 non-IS.

In the end I decided that, if I switched, I'd only end up hankering after the IS instead of the extra stop. I decided instead to wait until I could do what I really wanted and get the 2.8 IS :)
Click to expand...

That is what I REALLY want :lol:
 
:agree:

If the 70-200/2.8 IS is out of your price range then the 100-400 is likely to be too. However, the 400/5.6L should be around the same price as the 70-200/2.8 and is the ideal compliment to your 300/4 IS when the weather's bright enough. It takes the 1.4x very well if you're happy to focus manually.

Bob
 
I'm going along with Bob.
Alby has the 400 F5.6, and it is utterly beautiful!
Some of the shots he produces with it are out of this world..........

However, to answer the OP, I personally would go with the 70-200 F2.8.
I'm starting to think that IS isn't strictly necessary.
 
You would have the option of using a 1.4x or 2x TC on a f2.8 Non IS for extra length.
 
Mmmm, I see you have the 300f4Lis, that will take a 1.4 t-con so why not use that for wildlife? keep the 70-200f4 and buy a t-con for the 300.
 
Well, firstly thank you all for your input - I guess its because when I go down the meadows where I live, is quite dark where I go looking for the smaller birds because of trees are like arches over th valley walk, which cuts out an awful lot of light. I find that the f4, and when the 1.4x is on f5.6 is too slow, especially at the moment with it being overcast a lot too.

3595376536_6f980f353e.jpg


There are an awful lot of birds along this walk, robins, a huge range of tits, chaffies, jays, etc.
 
In that case, the 2.8 would obviously help, as would IS.
(But you know that, of course :bonk: )
 
malla1962 said:
Mmmm, I see you have the 300f4Lis, that will take a 1.4 t-con so why not use that for wildlife? keep the 70-200f4 and buy a t-con for the 300.
Click to expand...

Would have to agree, save your money and buy the TC. I've taken some great shots with that combo, ok you need the light to achieve the best performance and autofocus speed does get hit, but for a £200-300 investment, its 2 lenses in 1. 300mm f4 or 420mm f5.6 (with 1.4x TC).

The 70-200mm F4 IS is a great lens and I think the V4 IS system would probably come close to the performance of the 70-200mm f2.8 handheld.
 
pete.rush said:
Would have to agree, save your money and buy the TC. I've taken some great shots with that combo, ok you need the light to achieve the best performance and autofocus speed does get hit, but for a £200-300 investment, its 2 lenses in 1. 300mm f4 or 420mm f5.6 (with 1.4x TC).

The 70-200mm F4 IS is a great lens and I think the V4 IS system would probably come close to the performance of the 70-200mm f2.8 handheld.
Click to expand...

Thankyou

I do have the 1.4x converter :) - sorry I should have pointed that out.
 
I'm so confused :( :bang:

I now want a 400mm f5.6 but then I wouldnt have a 'standard' telephoto. What to do :bang: I hate camera equipment at times :lol:
 
Hmm, how much do you use the 300mm?

How about selling the 300mm & 70-200 and using the money to fund a 70-200 F2.8 IS? You've then got the 70-200 you really want and could use it with the 1.4x to give 280mm F4, which is close to the 300mm you'd have sold, although admittedly the quality won't be quite as good.
 
Vertigo1 said:
Hmm, how much do you use the 300mm?

How about selling the 300mm & 70-200 and using the money to fund a 70-200 F2.8 IS? You've then got the 70-200 you really want and could use it with the 1.4x to give 280mm F4, which is close to the 300mm you'd have sold, although admittedly the quality won't be quite as good.
Click to expand...

Actually its got to the point where I question how often the 70-200 has been on the camera. I've hardly used the 70-200mm since i got the 300mm :bonk:
 
Ah in that case scratch what I said :)

Mate of mine had the 100-400 but then bought a 300mm f/2.8 IS and sold the 100-400 the other week as he hadn't used it once since getting the 300 :)

Another possible option - sell the 70-200 f/4 IS but buy a 200mm f/2.8 IS prime?
 
I think I've just realised my situation and reason for confusion.

I have the

70-200 f4 IS

300 f4 IS

Now both with the 1.4 on (or without) would give the same settings. Which i suppose is why the 300mm is constantly on the camera - why have the same settings in a shorter length.
 
Vertigo1 said:
Another possible option - sell the 70-200 f/4 IS but buy a 200mm f/2.8 IS prime?
Click to expand...

I don't mind primes in terms of the longer lenses. But I want the ranges covered. I.e i have a 17-55, then a 70-200. I would feel lost without the 50-200 range
 
You have sort of answered you question. The 300mm f4 + TC is on par with the 400mm f5.6. The 70-200mm f4 IS is a great lens optically.

SO.......How about keep the 70-200mm f4 IS and the 300mm f4 and save up for the 300mm f2.8 + 2x TC or 500mm f4 :D instead
 
pete.rush said:
You have sort of answered you question. The 300mm f4 + TC is on par with the 400mm f5.6. The 70-200mm f4 IS is a great lens optically.

SO.......How about keep the 70-200mm f4 IS and the 300mm f4 and save up for the 300mm f2.8 + 2x TC or 500mm f4 :D instead
Click to expand...

500 f4 ....nice :lol:
 
Don't overlook the cropping ability, instead of using a 1.4x tc which obviously costs in shutter speed terms.
 
squizza said:
Everything sorted apart from the funding :D
Click to expand...

What a coincidence thats the same minor detail holding me back from getting one :thinking:

To be honest Sarah I would stick with what you have for now, I never wish that I had a 70-200 when I am out photographing the birds, too short on the long end.

The leaves will be all gone soon anyway, which will help with regard the light.
 
Martyn... said:
What a coincidence thats the same minor detail holding me back from getting one :thinking:

To be honest Sarah I would stick with what you have for now, I never wish that I had a 70-200 when I am out photographing the birds, too short on the long end.

The leaves will be all gone soon anyway, which will help with regard the light.
Click to expand...

Well If I win the lotto (I mean 6 numbers, not a tenner :D) I'll buy you a 500mm f4 is :D
 
Well this dilemma has been going around my head aaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllllll day.

And I'm still none the wiser :cuckoo:
 
Why not narrow down your choices, then hire them out for a test in the field, and see which one works best for you ?

Think of it as an investment towards picking the right lens.
 
Nutty667 said:
Why not narrow down your choices, then hire them out for a test in the field, and see which one works best for you ?

Think of it as an investment towards picking the right lens.
Click to expand...

Good idea, thank you :)
 
You say you have a 1.4 tc? If so personally I would stick with that and the 300f4.......it gives you 420mm at 5.6 on a 50D that means it`ll autofocus and you have the IS too. This way you can keep your 70-200 f4 Is (which is a beauty) and save up for that 500 f4 :D they come up quite frequently on birdforum and are normally in good condition ;)
 
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