70-200mm lenses

[boBQuincy]

I carry a XSI and sometimes have a 70-200 f/4 on it. The combination is not too heavy to carry on your shoulder although I rarely carry it that way, preferring to wrap the strap around my wrist and hold the setup by the lens.

One more point, I do not like using it on a tripod with all that weight hanging off the front of a camera with a plastic body so I highly recommend getting the lens tripod collar. The black one works as well as the white one, for a lot less $$$ (but also less cool points).

 

[Shutterbug]

I have it on my 40D and like it very much. This was my walk around lens at the Honda Indy 200 last summer. I had it around my neck all day long and did not find it to be all that heavy. For the price it is a great lens!

Now having said that....there might be some that will say to save up and get F4 IS (which is double the price) and some even more to spring for the 2.8 IS model.

For me when I bought mine. My budget mandated just F4 non IS. Plus at the time most of the stuff I shot at that distance was moving objects, like cars.
IMO IS will not help you with moving objects, only stationary.

Then the 2.8 version of the lens...way to heavy to have around my neck all day long.

Now though, having more money I would get the IS version..but if I had waited till now to get that lens I would have missed thousands of shots in that time period.

So my opinion, if your budget can handle it get the F4 IS.
If you can only afford the F4 I think you will enjoy the shots you will get with it. I know I do

The other option is...renting the lens for a week or two to try it out.
Thats what I did. I rented from lensrentals.com

 

[Shutterbug]

One more point, I do not like using it on a tripod with all that weight hanging off the front of a camera with a plastic body so I highly recommend getting the lens tripod collar. The black one works as well as the white one, for a lot less $$$ (but also less cool points).

Is that the canon tripod collar or an offbrand?
I am looking to get one myself.

 

[boBQuincy]

Is that the canon tripod collar or an offbrand?
I am looking to get one myself.

I like OEM stuff so I bought the Canon collar. To get the "cheap" one buy:

"Tripod Mount Ring A(B)" for 200mm f/2.8L II.

 

[annnewjerz]

I know, it's the same old story as usual. I get a lens, I try the lens and ultimately I'm not satisfied it. I have been literally DROOLING over this lens for two years since getting my first dSLR and now that I've got it---I'm kind of not in love with it.

Do I like the IQ of the lens? Indeed, this can be RAZOR sharp. Can it produce nice lovely bokeh? Yep. Unfortunately it just didn't click with me like my Sigma 30 did. Heck, even my newly acquired manual focus 50mm f/1.2 has "spoken" to me more, with its extremely shallow DOF.

Chances are, I just need to give it some time, but here are some things I'm not particularly crazy over:

1. The fact that it's a zoom. Because I haven't used a zoom in such a long time (my last real zoom was my kit lens), it just seems awkward to use.
2. The fact that it's 70mm at the widest end. I am not a particularly wide shooter, but I feel like in a lot of situations where other people are around or I don't have a lot of room to work, 70mm is a bit tight on a crop sensor.
3. The color and contrast the lens produces is nice, but not nearly as contrasty as my Sigma 30, which I LOVE.

When we are currently trying to pay off credit cards, do renovations at the house and buy me a new car---does it really make sense to hold onto an expensive piece of camera equipment that doesn't really get much use?

I want to love it, I reeeeeeally do, but at this point it's just something that is taking up a lot of room in my camera bag and not much else.

Ugh.

 

[lap3]

Wow! You're the first Nikon user I've heard that doesn't like this lens. But, you've got your valid reasons so I can understand that. For me, I love it. It's the one lens I find myself starting the day off with and ending the day with.

Whatever you decide, good luck in your decision!

 

[Suburbanmom]

Ann, you know I love mine. My kids call it, "mom's other baby".
But if you are not digging it, and you think the money it's worth could help somewhere else, I think you have a valid reason to sell it. You are terrific photographer and have a very cool style. Just because you don't love the lens everyone else does, doesn't mean a thing. Be true to yourself.

 

[mom2rtk]

As I recall, you got a pretty decent deal on it, so I'm sure you can get your money back on it, and you can always find another deal if you regret that decision later.

I personally love having a zoom. With 3 kids, my mind is always on something OTHER than swapping to the right prime.

It's funny you mention that 70 being a little tight for your taste though. I went back and forth just recently on getting a 2.8 zoom telephoto. After thinking it to death, I ended up getting the Sigma 50-150 f2.8. After taking it to yet another track meet yesterday, I decided I had made just the right choice. I find the 50 end just slightly tight for some situations, but not bad at all. I even had the thought "I'm sure glad I didn't go with the 70-200."

I'm sure I'll wish I had that 200 end when my other son graduates high school next year in a huge auditorium, but for now this one is perfect.

 

[Chikabowa]

If you decide to sell, let me know, I'm looking to pick up another copy of this lens.

 

[WDWFigment]

I think you should sell it--to me. As best I can tell, market value for this lens is currently hovering around $250. However, I'm a good sport and am willing to pay $350.

In all seriousness, if you have any credit card debt and you even have slight misgivings about the lens, I would sell it. You're better off paying that debt and buying the lens again later from a financial perspective.

 

[NLD]

I think you should sell it--to me. As best I can tell, market value for this lens is currently hovering around $250. However, I'm a good sport and am willing to pay $350.

In all seriousness, if you have any credit card debt and you even have slight misgivings about the lens, I would sell it. You're better off paying that debt and buying the lens again later from a financial perspective.

I'll top that offer and give you $500!

Really though, no, you're not crazy to sell it if you're not using it and have other bills.

 

[Icemann]

Looks you might have a bidding war on your hands for this lens.I'll go 550.If you are not going to use It and you want to pay your debt down which is a smart thing to do sell it.

 

[Master Mason]

That's one of the reasons I always suggest to people to decide what pictures they want to take, that they can't, and then get a lens that will allow them to. You can have the best lens in the world, but if you don't use it because it doesn't fit your shooting style or needs, then it pretty much worthless to you.

 

[spinetnglr]

Ann .. If you feel you will never get your money's worth out of the lens I wouldn't hang on to it either. If my part time photo job would have started earlier and I had the money already set aside I'd take it off your hands. And if I bought it from you .. you wouldnt have to pack it for shipping, I could just meet you in Philly for a day of shooting first Good luck with which ever decision you make!!

 

[Gdad]

I don't keep anything that collects dust for very long. If you don't use it or don't like using it then get rid of it and get something you like.

So that's a +1 for selling it- uh- and a -1 for using the cash to pay bills. (Sorry bills.... )

 

[Bstanley]

OK, so my bonuses are not as large as some

But rumbling it's way from New York City to me is my first 'serious' lens - a Canon 70-200L (the non-IS version).

I've got a big vacation to a far distant land coming up and I've been eyeing the 70-200 lenses for some time. I decided against the 2.8 version this time because it weighs more than I wanted and I just couldn't convince myself to part with the cash - if the F4 turns out to be a too much of a limit I can upgrade later.

Well today Adorama had a $45 instant rebate on the non-IS version and that pushed me over the edge. I am SO going to be taking pictures this weekend!

 

[mabas9395]

Congrats. The only down-side is that you have now raised the bar on the quality you'll expect from your lenses. I never realized how bad some of my lenses were until I got the 70-200 L.

 

[Frantasmic]

exactly. you will be spoiled with the quality and only want l lenses from now on

 

[Bstanley]

I never realized how bad some of my lenses were until I got the 70-200 L

I hear you.

That is actually my clever plan m'Lord. I'm looking forward to buying a Canon 5D MK II body in a couple of years and I want the glass in place to support it.

In the meantime all I need to do is learn how to take photographs instead of snapping pictures

Should be able to handle that in a couple of years - right?

 

[jeffb]

Enjoy the new glass - the 70-200 is a beautiful lens!