Just how good is the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens?

[mogul]

Just about to pull the trigger on this lens.

I shoot everything from family to wildlife and motorsport to airshows. Before I part with the money is it the one to have?

I know there was a recent thread but a simple yes or no would do!

Sorry if this is a repost!

[Gemm]

How good? Very good.

[Andy M]

I shot this a couple of hours ago:



Shot wide open, ISO400 and with minor PP.

[jagdpanther]

the old 70-200mm F4L was fantastic, sharp, silent, quick, not too heavy for handheld stuff...I can only imagine how good the F2.8L IS USM is going to be

[bramley]

It may not be long enough for motorsport or airshows (depending on your sensor size) but yes, it's a superb lens.

[mogul]

bramley said:

It may not be long enough for motorsport or airshows (depending on your sensor size) but yes, it's a superb lens.

I'll be using it with my 400D.

Edited to say thanks so far for the comments!

Edited by mogul on Tuesday 4th December 14:14

[bramley]

mogul said:

bramley said:

It may not be long enough for motorsport or airshows (depending on your sensor size) but yes, it's a superb lens.

I'll be using it with my 400D.

Edited to say thanks so far for the comments!

Edited by mogul on Tuesday 4th December 14:14

Will probably be ok on a 400D I'd have thought - and you can always add a converter later if you need it.

[mogul]

bramley said:

mogul said:

bramley said:

It may not be long enough for motorsport or airshows (depending on your sensor size) but yes, it's a superb lens.

I'll be using it with my 400D.

Edited to say thanks so far for the comments!

Edited by mogul on Tuesday 4th December 14:14

Will probably be ok on a 400D I'd have thought - and you can always add a converter later if you need it.

If I add a converter is it still fully automatic or would I loose the auto focus?

[bramley]

mogul said:

bramley said:

mogul said:

bramley said:

It may not be long enough for motorsport or airshows (depending on your sensor size) but yes, it's a superb lens.

I'll be using it with my 400D.

Edited to say thanks so far for the comments!

Edited by mogul on Tuesday 4th December 14:14

Will probably be ok on a 400D I'd have thought - and you can always add a converter later if you need it.

If I add a converter is it still fully automatic or would I loose the auto focus?

Fully auto. f/2.8 lens retain autofocus.

[350Wedge]

Quite a bit more discussion here...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I've just bought the non IS version and love it to bits, results are super sharp.

[rex]

Had mine for a couple of years now. Brilliant lens. Just do it.

[Chris71]

Nearly bought one of these last night! I'm hoping to get some shot at the Race Of Champions in a few weeks (anyone else going?) and the basic 18-55mm lens isn't going to begin to cover it I don't s'pose. Decided I didn't have enough cash to buy it on the strength of one event so I'm going to see if the need comes up more often.

Jesus - just seen the price of that one:
http://camerapricebuster.co.uk/prod35.html

....maybe it's not exactly the same as the one I was looking at last night!

[Scoobydougie]

Chris71 said:

Nearly bought one of these last night! I'm hoping to get some shot at the Race Of Champions in a few weeks (anyone else going?) and the basic 18-55mm lens isn't going to begin to cover it I don't s'pose. Decided I didn't have enough cash to buy it on the strength of one event so I'm going to see if the need comes up more often.

Jesus - just seen the price of that one:
http://camerapricebuster.co.uk/prod35.html

....maybe it's not exactly the same as the one I was looking at last night!

That's the one you want, it's ace! I bit the bullet in the summer and never looked back, the quality is amazing.

[MonkeyHanger]

mogul said:

I shoot everything from family to wildlife and motorsport to airshows.

Too short IMHO, particularly for Airshows & Wildlife.

"Motorsports" is a bit of a wide-sweeping description too. The 70-200 is a perfect Rally lens on a 1.6x body but even with a 1.4xTC you'll struggle at most UK circuits. If you plan on running mostly with a 2x TC you'd be better off looking at a 100-400L or Sigma 120-300, 1.4x TC and a good monopod.

Edited by MonkeyHanger on Tuesday 4th December 17:11

[mogul]

Thanks guys.

Bought and looking forward to having a play!

[SpydieNut]

mogul said:

Thanks guys.

Bought and looking forward to having a play!

top lens - on my wish list.

enjoy it. we'll be waiting to see pics taken with it

[mogul]

Well, it's arrived and had a play.

I am not a good photographer and learning almost with every shot!

I have also been very busy at work and had no opportunity to go outside because it's always dark when I get home!

The lens appears to be so much better than anything else I own and in it's own league. Here's one of my 2 year old (complete with dodgy fringe as cut by my fair hand!)



This was taken indoors with a 430 flash @ 200mm. The white mark on Indi's cheek is yoghurt. No playing with the image apart from auto noise reduction.

I'm really looking forward to a break over Christmas to have quality time with my new toy!

Edited by mogul on Friday 21st December 21:47

[mogul]

Well, it's arrived and had a play.

I am not a good photographer and learning almost with every shot!

I have also been very busy at work and had no opportunity to go outside because it's always dark when I get home!

The lens appears to be so much better than anything else I own and in it's own league. Here's one of my 2 year old (complete with dodgy fringe as cut by my fair hand!)



This was taken indoors with a 430 flash @ 200mm. The white mark on Indi's cheek is yoghurt. No playing with the image apart from auto noise reduction.

I'm really looking forward to a break over Christmas to have quality time with my new toy!

Edited by mogul on Friday 21st December 21:50

[Gemm]

Congrats!!!

Hope you didn't sleep with it.

[toothlessjim]

tis a good lens that one...ive got the 55-200mm usm myself, pretty good for motorsport (dankemp.co.uk) would like a 100-400mm lens for when im at a circuit n cant get track side. Cost is a big issue tho, its alot of money to say i dont earn anything with my photos.