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[WillCAD]

Actually, my buddy the wedding photographer just bought the faster 2.8 IS version of this lens this week.

I dunno about the F4 version, but the 2.8IS version is built like a tank. That lens weight more than my entire camera bag full of stuff, and it feels like it's made out of wrought iron fence posts. But it focuses almost faster than you can push the button, and is amazingly bright and sharp.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I dunno about the F4 version, but the 2.8IS version is built like a tank. That lens weight more than my entire camera bag full of stuff, and it feels like it's made out of wrought iron fence posts. But it focuses almost faster than you can push the button, and is amazingly bright and sharp.

That's the one I use. It's heavy as hell and sharp as a tack, but actually, set at f/4, the 70-200 f/4 is still sharper than the f/2.8 version (I used to own the f/4, stupidly I upgraded to f/2.8 by selling my f/4)

 

[lovwdwalot]

Sharp indeed

Taken from a moving safari vehicle on an overcast day at 200mm. 'very slow'? f4@200 isn't slow. Of course there's faster, but as Kelly said, it sure comes at a high price. I couldn't imagine carying around a 2.8 all day in a theme park.

grim

Sure at the time of day that you had taken that photo it's not slow, but let me see you hand hold that lens at night at the magic kingdom with fireworks going on. Than tell me it not slow, as for size this lens is the same weight as the 70-200 2.8.

 

[lovwdwalot]

Slow?? f/4 at 200mm on a zoom lens is quite fast. Thats why the list price is $1300+ (although Ritz has it for $740). Find a 70-200 zoom lens faster than that for less than $600.

I know Nikon has a 2.8 70-200 that is over $1500 and looking at Canon's site, their 2.8 70-200 goes for a minimum of $1100 (used) on ebay.

I think for the average amature photographer, this would be a great deal for a great lens.

Nice pic Grimgrinnin

The reason it is so pricey is because it is a "L" series len, these lens use the best glass that canon offers on their lens.

 

[grimgrinnin]

Sure at the time of day that you had taken that photo it's not slow, but let me see you hand hold that lens at night at the magic kingdom with fireworks going on. Than tell me it not slow, as for size this lens is the same weight as the 70-200 2.8.

1st, it's obvious you've never held both lenses:

2.8:
Weight 3.2 lb without tripod collar
Weight 3.5 lb with tripod collar

4.0:
Weight 1.56 lb


2nd, why would I ever want to handhold fireworks pictures, with a 70-200 lens nonetheless? Of course you can find examples where 2.8 would would be the better choice. That's not the point. The point is that f4@200 is not 'very slow', but is actually quite fast.



grim

 

[Kelly Grannell]

You still need to hold the lens for at least 1 second to get the bloom. f/5.6 vs f/4 vs f/2.8 vs f/1.2 won't make a lick of difference in terms of hand holding the lens at 1 second shutter speed.

How you can hand hold a lens that steady for 1 second is beyond me. Kindly share your tip for us mere mortals.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

What kind of lenses do you use anyway? I assume nothing "slower" than f/2.8?

 

[geetey]

WOW! Very nice price and it's white too!! I heard the white ones are good!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

THe white ones screams "steal me" like there's no tomorrow.

 

[Lancer]

Well, I am not sure if you can call this an impulse buy or just good timing. I always wanted a longer lens than my 28-135, sometime in the future(just financially, wasnt planning on today). Just to kill some time, I logged on the boards today and found this thread. After reading everyones opinions, I took the plunge and ordered one for my 20D. Should have it by wenesday.

A thank you to all ,that takes the time to post and provide advice and info!!!!!!!

Lancer

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Congratulations! Welcome to the "White" family. You are, henceforth, be called Lancer White

 

[grimgrinnin]

Congrats Lancer! You won't be disappointed.


grim

 

[handicap18]

Sweet! Good for you. I wont be buying any more lenses for a while. Next purchase will actually be a flash. And even that wont be probably till after summer and it will be less than $200 to boot. So for now I'll just live vicariously though pictures of new lenses and others that are actually buying them.

 

[lovwdwalot]

What kind of lenses do you use anyway? I assume nothing "slower" than f/2.8?

Kelly,your right I use nothing but 2.8 "L" lens.
This is what I have in my bag. 70-200 f2.8, 28-70 f2.8, 85 f1.2, 15mm fisheye f2.8(not an L lens), and I know you'll flame me on this, 17-40 f4.0.
Now don't get me wrong it's a nice lens, and for someone who's on a budget and who wants to get a "L" series this is a great price and a good lens too.The reason I have these lens also is because I have my own studio in Illinois so I need to use these type of lens.Here's a link to my web site.
www.emriksonstudios.com

 

[Kelly Grannell]

lovwdwalot. No, I'm not going to flame you for that. My response is based on the audience we have here where the general consensus f/5.6 to f/6.4 is still more than acceptable. So f/4 for most of the shooters here are more than fast enough.

I agree, however, when you go pro, you try to have at least f/2.8, but alas there is no walkaround lens that's even f/4 (the closest to it is the 17-40 f/4L and the upcoming 17-55 f/2.8 IS EF-S). Heck, my personal walkaround lens when I travel locally is 70-200 f/2.8L IS, but how many crazy people like us doing that?

 

[lovwdwalot]

Heck, my personal walkaround lens when I travel locally is 70-200 f/2.8L IS, but how many crazy people like us doing that?[/QUOTE]

LOL, your right about that Kelly when we go to Disney my DW is always telling me we're going on vacation to Disney not working there so keep some of that stuff at home!

 

[Razor Roman]

can anyone spot me $500?

 

[makinorlando]

I needed some external storage for my pictures to get them all in one place and off of my three computers. I back all my originals up to CD as well, but I like to have easier to access. Last week I bought 6Gig Gigabank (at Circuit City), which I knew at the time would not hold everything, but it had a $30 rebate - making it $99.00. Today I stopped at Best Buy to see what they had and to just generally kill time (checked to see if they had the wide angle converter for the S2 - they didn't' which I didn't think they would) - I told the sales person what I was looking for and he took me to a '"Western Digital" Passport - External Hard Drive 60 Gig. Regular price $129.99 - instant rebat $79.99..... It plugs into the USB port - no extra power needed (the box says in most cases)..... It's great! This will hold all my pics for a while at least. I think the rebate is on until this weekend.

I bought a mono pod too - still want a tripod, but for somethings I think this will be a good alternative to carry to the parks with me!


I had the Nikon D50 in my hands again........

 

[MICKEY88]

I needed some external storage for my pictures to get them all in one place and off of my three computers. I back all my originals up to CD as well, but I like to have easier to access. Last week I bought 6Gig Gigabank (at Circuit City), which I knew at the time would not hold everything, but it had a $30 rebate - making it $99.00. Today I stopped at Best Buy to see what they had and to just generally kill time (checked to see if they had the wide angle converter for the S2 - they didn't' which I didn't think they would) - I told the sales person what I was looking for and he took me to a '"Western Digital" Passport - External Hard Drive 60 Gig. Regular price $129.99 - instant rebat $79.99..... It plugs into the USB port - no extra power needed (the box says in most cases)..... It's great! This will hold all my pics for a while at least. I think the rebate is on until this weekend.

I bought a mono pod too - still want a tripod, but for somethings I think this will be a good alternative to carry to the parks with me!


I had the Nikon D50 in my hands again........

when you need more storage let me know I can give you a location to get 250 gig for 89,

also, what type of head does your monopod have..??

I had one that just had the screw on top, then one that had a small tripod head, with lever, I bought a small ball head and it's much easier to use,, I can give you a good lead on an inexpensive ball head also..

 

[handicap18]

I had the Nikon D50 in my hands again........

You are too funny Martha. But hey, each time I go into Best Buy or Circuit City I always check out the other camera's too.

I need to get more storage myself. I realized earlier this week that I'm up over 30GIG on my computer now. Only about 8 gig left of free space. Thats really not very good. Between pictures, music and now video, that stuff takes up about 19 gig of hard drive space. I'm looking into getting a 2.0 USB external hard drive. I did have a 2nd 40 gig hard drive at one time, but had to cut it loose due to some bad sectors that were effecting the way the computer operates.