Aaargh can't decide - IS vs f/2.8

[miniman]

OK, so it's either:

Canon 70-200 f/2.8L USM

or

Canon 70-200 f/4L IS USM

Can't decide whether it's better to have the f/2.8 (I love shallow DOF and like the ability to shoot lower light) but I will be using this for motorsport a fair bit so would the IS be more useful to me???

Can't really stretch to the 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM. But tempted to say fcuk it and stick it on 12 months interest free with Warehouse Express.

Help!

Edited by miniman on Thursday 10th May 20:24

[poah]

IS not really required for motorsport and if you want to add a TC the f2.8 would be better. f4 IS is way overpriced

[Typhon]

I have a 70-200 2.8 L IS. imo the IS is useless for motorsport. I leave it turned off unless I'm shooting stationary objects

[Gemm]

It's a hard one. IS can be handy for panning shots (Mode 2), but 70-200mm f2.8 (both IS and non-IS) is one of the best Canon lenses (or one of the best lenses around).

Edited by Gemm on Thursday 10th May 21:48

[gf350]

It has to be the f2.8 its a fantastic lens.

[robdickinson]

Always go for the faster lens over IS unless you can have both IMO. Unless your not ever going to shoot wide open.

[LeoV8]

It has to be the f2.8 eveytime. They hold their value better and designed for pros so generally built tougher.

[TonyHetherington]

What's the cost difference between the two?

[miniman]

TonyHetherington said:

What's the cost difference between the two?

Between the f/2.8 and f/4 - virtually the same price.

f/2.8 non-IS to f/2.8 IS is roughly double (£600ish to £1200ish but there's currently a £130 cashback offer on the IS)

Very close to getting the IS on 12months interest free and worrying about it later

Oh and the f/2.8 non-IS is only available from HK (via onestop-digital) as I believe it's been discontinued. Slightly concerned about the warranty implications of than (i.e. it is a "back to HK" warranty).

Ah fcuk it I've convinced myself. Phone call to Warehouse Express coming up...

Edited by miniman on Friday 11th May 11:13

[TonyHetherington]

Glad I could be of help

(tell you what though, interest free offers and all that...gotta be tempting!)

[miniman]

TonyHetherington said:

Glad I could be of help

(tell you what though, interest free offers and all that...gotta be tempting!)

Definitely Perhaps I should add a 5D plus 580EX Speedlite to that order and worry about that later too! Or maybe a 1D Mk III

[bramley]

I got a 70-200 2.8 IS from HK (ebay) and got change from a grand. It's awesome, and my advice is to save up and get the 2.8 IS. You'll never sell it, you'll never regret it, and as poah said, if you wanna use a converter it helps to have 2.8 as a starting point.

I was umming and ahhing much the same as you a few months ago, until iread all the reviews on fredmiranda.com and one guy said "In 6 months time you'll have forgotten how much it cost" and he was right*. Very glad I made the right choice.

*unless you take 12 months finance on it LOL!

[JonathanP]

I can't comment on the Canon lens, but I have the Nikon equivalent 70-200 2.8/VR and it is a fantastic lens; a bit heavy but the quality of the images means I never regret buying it.

Jonathan

[gf350]

Theres still a few NON IS f2.8's the UK on Amazon but they are not cheap.

www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-Telephoto-zoom-lens-200/dp/B00005LESG/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/203-3304814-2260748?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1178902650&sr=8-3

The IS version is not much more than that with the rebate.

www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-EF7020028L-USM-EF70-200mm-Zoom/dp/B0000C4G4W/ref=pd_bbs_2/203-3304814-2260748?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1178902650&sr=8-2

If you can find one for a good price I'd say get it, I've only used mine the once but the results were stunning. I was considering getting an IS one to see what thats like but I'm not sure its worth the extra.

Edited by gf350 on Friday 11th May 18:55

[Typhon]

LCE still stocks the 2.8 non-IS for £900. I find they generally beat other stores on prices for other stuff too

http://londoncameraexchange.co.uk/sho

[miniman]

Typhon said:

LCE still stocks the 2.8 non-IS for £900. I find they generally beat other stores on prices for other stuff too

http://londoncameraexchange.co.uk/sho

Blimey, £900? The IS version is only £1120-ish with cashback. And onestop-digital.com are selling the non-IS one for £629.

Anyway, the interest-free offer from Warehouse Express was too tempting so now I'll be waiting for the postman every day to deliver my new toy

[gf350]

£629 is a bargain! I sold one a few months ago on amazon used (but only twice) for £750.
I then realized I'd made a terrible mistake and bought another one though.

[miniman]

gf350 said:

£629 is a bargain! I sold one a few months ago on amazon used (but only twice) for £750.
I then realized I'd made a terrible mistake and bought another one though.

I guess the downside is that the warranty means if it breaks, it has to go back to Hong Kong. They do guarantee, though, to refund any customs charges you incur bringing it into the country.

[tertius]

It being discontinued is a disaster - I only decided yesterday to go ahead and get one ... no reply from kerso. But none on his eBay shop.

[gf350]

miniman said:

gf350 said:

£629 is a bargain! I sold one a few months ago on amazon used (but only twice) for £750.
I then realized I'd made a terrible mistake and bought another one though.

I guess the downside is that the warranty means if it breaks, it has to go back to Hong Kong. They do guarantee, though, to refund any customs charges you incur bringing it into the country.

Some sellers on e-bay offer a 4 year warranty on L lenses as they know they don't break, I wouldn't say that was a problem.
I'd be more worried about it being in stock.