Canon 70-200mm F/4.0 L
Discussion
Chaps, I require some advice.
As I'm not able to go on holiday this year I've decided to spend the equivalent cash on a decent lens. I preferably want a zoom lens and I didn't realise I could get entry level L glass within said budget. I want a lens that can get crisp pictures (I'm currently using Canon's worst lens of all time - the 75-300mm) when photographing wildlife / motorsport. Is there a better option? I intend to at some point get a teleconverter to push it to 400mm.
Is my cash better placed in a different lens?
Cheers
As I'm not able to go on holiday this year I've decided to spend the equivalent cash on a decent lens. I preferably want a zoom lens and I didn't realise I could get entry level L glass within said budget. I want a lens that can get crisp pictures (I'm currently using Canon's worst lens of all time - the 75-300mm) when photographing wildlife / motorsport. Is there a better option? I intend to at some point get a teleconverter to push it to 400mm.
Is my cash better placed in a different lens?
Cheers
Sorry to throw a spanner in the works, but you won't be able to put a 2x teleconverter on the f/4.0 lens and still have working auto focus. It will also make the minimum aperture f/8.0, so a very slow lens. If you want a 70-200mm lens that work with the x2 teleconverter, then you need the f/2.8 version. What budget have you got?
Could be worth looking the the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 for a cheaper alternative. So long as you make sure you get a good one, it's a very nice lens (but not in the same league as the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS II L)
Could be worth looking the the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 for a cheaper alternative. So long as you make sure you get a good one, it's a very nice lens (but not in the same league as the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS II L)
MartinP said:
Sorry to throw a spanner in the works, but you won't be able to put a 2x teleconverter on the f/4.0 lens and still have working auto focus. It will also make the minimum aperture f/8.0, so a very slow lens. If you want a 70-200mm lens that work with the x2 teleconverter, then you need the f/2.8 version. What budget have you got?
Could be worth looking the the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 for a cheaper alternative. So long as you make sure you get a good one, it's a very nice lens (but not in the same league as the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS II L)
Ah I read that the teleconverter (Canon's one) maintained AF even with the F/4. Ok, nevermind.Could be worth looking the the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 for a cheaper alternative. So long as you make sure you get a good one, it's a very nice lens (but not in the same league as the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS II L)
My budget is around the £400 mark but I will push a little over (as I need to for the 70-200mm F/4 L non IS). There's absolutely no way I can get close to the F2.8; I'd love to!
I thought about the Sigma. Any ideas what the quality difference would be between the Canon 70-200mm F4 L and the Sigma 70-200 F/2.8 is? I would obviously prefer a lens with a F2.8 but what's the cost in image quality I guess?
I have the 70-200 F4L... Even if you like looking at Raw photos at 100% size, you'll never need to stop down. It's pretty much as sharp as it can be wide open. That's with a 50D, if you have higher pixel density maybe you'll notice a difference, but I can't see any improvement by stopping down.
Saying that, there are times I wish I'd gone for the Sigma. Sharpness isn't everything, and having the option of F/2.8 would be nice.
Saying that, there are times I wish I'd gone for the Sigma. Sharpness isn't everything, and having the option of F/2.8 would be nice.
I was going to ask if you could stretch to a Sigma 100-300 EX F4 but it looks like it's been discontinued.
Edit:
Can you live with second-hand? Found a couple on MPB Photographic, who I've not used but have a good reputation on here. It's a cracking lens, very sharp at F4 and perfect by about f5.6, built like a russian shot-putter and focuses fast and near silently. It's been my wildlife lens for the last couple of years and I couldn't be happier with it.
Edit:
Can you live with second-hand? Found a couple on MPB Photographic, who I've not used but have a good reputation on here. It's a cracking lens, very sharp at F4 and perfect by about f5.6, built like a russian shot-putter and focuses fast and near silently. It's been my wildlife lens for the last couple of years and I couldn't be happier with it.
Edited by Dogsey on Saturday 9th June 17:48
Hi
Mine came in the post this morning... I wanted a bit more reach on a crop body than my current lenses and knowing my reluctance to carry stuff that i deem too large and heavy around i went for the "basic" 70-200 L f4. I am very pleased (albeit early days) and using the standard garden subject matter (the cat) it somehow seems sharper than my 24-105 L that i have had as my main lens to date. FYI: I do "only" have a 350D body so maybe my lack of pixels and older sensor etc hardly tax the lense.
Enjoy choosing!
Mine came in the post this morning... I wanted a bit more reach on a crop body than my current lenses and knowing my reluctance to carry stuff that i deem too large and heavy around i went for the "basic" 70-200 L f4. I am very pleased (albeit early days) and using the standard garden subject matter (the cat) it somehow seems sharper than my 24-105 L that i have had as my main lens to date. FYI: I do "only" have a 350D body so maybe my lack of pixels and older sensor etc hardly tax the lense.
Enjoy choosing!
I LOVE my 70-200 F4!!
My first L lens and it is such a joy to use and get some fantastic results from.
A couple from today with the F4 and Canon 550d combo.
IMG_0156 by nessiemac1, on Flickr
IMG_0407 - Version 2 by nessiemac1, on Flickr
My first L lens and it is such a joy to use and get some fantastic results from.
A couple from today with the F4 and Canon 550d combo.
IMG_0156 by nessiemac1, on Flickr
IMG_0407 - Version 2 by nessiemac1, on Flickr
RobbieKB said:
Ah I read that the teleconverter (Canon's one) maintained AF even with the F/4. Ok, nevermind.
They do, its just that a 1.4 TX adds 1 stop and a 2.0 tx adds 2 stops, so f4 becomes f5.6 with a 1.4 and f8 with a 2.0. Canon bodies wont focus at f8 (non 1D anyhow).RobbieKB said:
My budget is around the £400 mark but I will push a little over (as I need to for the 70-200mm F/4 L non IS). There's absolutely no way I can get close to the F2.8; I'd love to!
I thought about the Sigma. Any ideas what the quality difference would be between the Canon 70-200mm F4 L and the Sigma 70-200 F/2.8 is? I would obviously prefer a lens with a F2.8 but what's the cost in image quality I guess?
The Sigma 70-200f2.8OS is a better overall lens than the old canon mk1 70-200f2.8IS, there are up and down sides to the story. My issue with sigma is that the focus especially tracking is always suspect but then the 120-300f2.8 worked fine for me and I havnt used the 70-200f2.8OS.
The 70-200f4L is a stunning lens,and remember (unless your using supertele's) a tc should be used rarely on zooms.
I thought about the Sigma. Any ideas what the quality difference would be between the Canon 70-200mm F4 L and the Sigma 70-200 F/2.8 is? I would obviously prefer a lens with a F2.8 but what's the cost in image quality I guess?
The Sigma 70-200f2.8OS is a better overall lens than the old canon mk1 70-200f2.8IS, there are up and down sides to the story. My issue with sigma is that the focus especially tracking is always suspect but then the 120-300f2.8 worked fine for me and I havnt used the 70-200f2.8OS.
The 70-200f4L is a stunning lens,and remember (unless your using supertele's) a tc should be used rarely on zooms.
JulianHJ said:
There's one for sale on Talk Phtography's Canon sales forum right now for £360 delivered.
That sounds good. Unfortunately I have only just made an account and classifieds are locked. Would you be kind enough to copy and paste the advert and/or his details in to a pm to me please? Cheers I'll post the details, but you'll need to make 25 posts and have been a member for 60 days to gain access to the classifieds and actually chat to the guy - any off-forum sales chat is forbidden.
This is the ad text:
Having recently bought a 100-400mm I know this lens will see too little use to justify keeping it.
Date code UR
Fantastic condition. I can't find any marks on the body at all. The usual marks to the lens hood.
Comes with the UV filter pictured, it's a Kenko but it seems pretty good. I've had it on there since I've owned it.
The glass is unmarked. There is maybe half a dozen specks of dust inside. Nothing of concern.
Comes complete with box, manual book thingy (never looked inside, don't know what it is...), genuine hood and a third party tripod mount.
Cash on collection welcome, I am in Cambridge.
£360 to include RMSD.
I know they've gone for less, and perhaps newer ones pop up for the same amount every couple of months. But this is in fantastic condition and is worth every penny of the asking. It is currently not advertised anywhere else.
This is the ad text:
Having recently bought a 100-400mm I know this lens will see too little use to justify keeping it.
Date code UR
Fantastic condition. I can't find any marks on the body at all. The usual marks to the lens hood.
Comes with the UV filter pictured, it's a Kenko but it seems pretty good. I've had it on there since I've owned it.
The glass is unmarked. There is maybe half a dozen specks of dust inside. Nothing of concern.
Comes complete with box, manual book thingy (never looked inside, don't know what it is...), genuine hood and a third party tripod mount.
Cash on collection welcome, I am in Cambridge.
£360 to include RMSD.
I know they've gone for less, and perhaps newer ones pop up for the same amount every couple of months. But this is in fantastic condition and is worth every penny of the asking. It is currently not advertised anywhere else.
RobbieKB said:
If anyone can access the classifieds and PM him my email address I would greatly appreciate it and will PM you my email to send him.
The only problem with that is that all discussion and haggling must be done on the forum and only taken to PM when a deal is agreed. They frown on people trying to get round this and will get banned if found out! I bought my 70-200 F4 from a seller on there and was a perfect way to buy but i know if i PM'd matey on your behalf he probably wouldn't want to deal outside their rules!nessiemac said:
RobbieKB said:
If anyone can access the classifieds and PM him my email address I would greatly appreciate it and will PM you my email to send him.
The only problem with that is that all discussion and haggling must be done on the forum and only taken to PM when a deal is agreed. They frown on people trying to get round this and will get banned if found out! I bought my 70-200 F4 from a seller on there and was a perfect way to buy but i know if i PM'd matey on your behalf he probably wouldn't want to deal outside their rules!
Well if anyone knows or can find out his email address and wants to anonymously PM me it, no names shall be mentioned.
Otherwise, if anyone spots another 70-200 F4 at a reasonable price, think of me first!
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