Dilemna over 70-200 2.8 IS or Non IS

[Rangie]

Hi There,

I recently purchased a 70-200 f4 out of impulse and now I think I should have got its bigger brother.

I was informed by the place I purchased it that I can return for an upgrade within a few days before my trip.

So, now this is my delima. Should I get the IS version or non IS version of the 2.8? I heard that pictures sharpness is more towards the non IS version, but, having IS sure is advantageous.

I also just bought a Manfrotto 055FM3 with a Gizto Head. Can someone tell me which I should rather get? I only have till tomorrow to change my lens. Or not, I am stuck with the f4.

Cheers,

Richard

[evo76]

Originally Posted by Rangie Hi There, I recently purchased a 70-200 f4 out of impulse and now I think I should have got its bigger brother. I was informed by the place I purchased it that I can return for an upgrade within a few days before my trip. So, now this is my delima. Should I get the IS version or non IS version of the 2.8? I heard that pictures sharpness is more towards the non IS version, but, having IS sure is advantageous. I also just bought a Manfrotto 055FM3 with a Gizto Head. Can someone tell me which I should rather get? I only have till tomorrow to change my lens. Or not, I am stuck with the f4. Cheers, Richard

Do you need the extra aperture? your current lens is already tack sharp. With a tripod, assuming you keep your cam mounted on, its not absolutely necessary to get the IS version.

[Rangie]

Originally Posted by evo76 Do you need the extra aperture? your current lens is already tack sharp. With a tripod, assuming you keep your cam mounted on, its not absolutely necessary to get the IS version.

Well, I will come across situations where I do not have a tripod with me. So, you think its better to get the non IS version of 2.8? Or, stick with my f4?

Thanks,

[evo76]

Originally Posted by Rangie Well, I will come across situations where I do not have a tripod with me. So, you think its better to get the non IS version of 2.8? Or, stick with my f4? Thanks,

With training, you will get used to the weight of the F2.8 version. Its just how much low light situations that you might get into that warrants the IS version.

[GmbH.]

if your budget allows, go for the 2.8 L

[Rangie]

Originally Posted by evo76 With training, you will get used to the weight of the F2.8 version. Its just how much low light situations that you might get into that warrants the IS version.

You've got a point. I guess I will be shooting mainly without the aid of IS most of the time. How much difference in cost bwt the IS and Non IS?

Thanks

[Garion]

Originally Posted by Rangie You've got a point. I guess I will be shooting mainly without the aid of IS most of the time. How much difference in cost bwt the IS and Non IS? Thanks

About $600-$700 difference. (for brand new sets)

[jdredd]

the non IS is around 1900 grey. IS is around 2850 from oracle.

if you can stretch, i would get the IS though. not just for low light shooting, just helps with handholding generally at longer focal lengths even during daytime. if you think about it, at 200mm, on a 1.6 crop, you are looking at 1/300 for good guaranteed results. even at 2.8, that is sometimes not enough even in daylight.

with IS, 3 stops down that will be 1/300 - 1/150 - 1/75 - 1/35 or thereabouts...

[ianpaice]

wow! Can return your f4 to the shop and upgrade? Then your f4 will probably be packed up again and resell as brand new?

Originally Posted by Rangie Hi There, I recently purchased a 70-200 f4 out of impulse and now I think I should have got its bigger brother. I was informed by the place I purchased it that I can return for an upgrade within a few days before my trip. So, now this is my delima. Should I get the IS version or non IS version of the 2.8? I heard that pictures sharpness is more towards the non IS version, but, having IS sure is advantageous. I also just bought a Manfrotto 055FM3 with a Gizto Head. Can someone tell me which I should rather get? I only have till tomorrow to change my lens. Or not, I am stuck with the f4. Cheers, Richard

[saperboy]

Originally Posted by ianpaice wow! Can return your f4 to the shop and upgrade? Then your f4 will probably be packed up again and resell as brand new?

that should not really be an issue... as long as the item looks and feels brandnew. In other countries the customer always have the right to change his mind and exchange or even return the goods, as long as it's undamaged.

Here in Singapore, I notice that a lot of times (not saying always), customers don't have such freedom.

[+evenstar]

do a search...many discussions on this topic recently..

[Rangie]

Originally Posted by ianpaice wow! Can return your f4 to the shop and upgrade? Then your f4 will probably be packed up again and resell as brand new?

Well, to be honest, the unit was never unpacked. I bought it 2 weeks ago and I didn't have time to use it at all. Well, only to open it and view it, like you would do in a shop. So, its perfectly new in my book, and since I bought a lot of stuff from them in the past, they agreed to do it.

I read some reviews and generally, seems that the 2.8 with IS is nearly optically the same as the non IS. So, I guess I would get the IS version and be done with it and don't look back. Shame, my bank account will say differently

[Rangie]

Originally Posted by jdredd the non IS is around 1900 grey. IS is around 2850 from oracle. if you can stretch, i would get the IS though. not just for low light shooting, just helps with handholding generally at longer focal lengths even during daytime. if you think about it, at 200mm, on a 1.6 crop, you are looking at 1/300 for good guaranteed results. even at 2.8, that is sometimes not enough even in daylight. with IS, 3 stops down that will be 1/300 - 1/150 - 1/75 - 1/35 or thereabouts...

You make an excellent point.

[jcho]

Originally Posted by Rangie Hi There, I recently purchased a 70-200 f4 out of impulse and now I think I should have got its bigger brother. I was informed by the place I purchased it that I can return for an upgrade within a few days before my trip. So, now this is my delima. Should I get the IS version or non IS version of the 2.8? I heard that pictures sharpness is more towards the non IS version, but, having IS sure is advantageous. I also just bought a Manfrotto 055FM3 with a Gizto Head. Can someone tell me which I should rather get? I only have till tomorrow to change my lens. Or not, I am stuck with the f4. Cheers, Richard

I am also in your shoes, call them and they told me it is OK to upgrade, so I switch to IS F2.8, pain for once, else you will still be thinking of upgrading later.

[ianpaice]

Hmmm... May I ask which shop did you purchased from?

Originally Posted by Rangie Well, to be honest, the unit was never unpacked. I bought it 2 weeks ago and I didn't have time to use it at all. Well, only to open it and view it, like you would do in a shop. So, its perfectly new in my book, and since I bought a lot of stuff from them in the past, they agreed to do it. I read some reviews and generally, seems that the 2.8 with IS is nearly optically the same as the non IS. So, I guess I would get the IS version and be done with it and don't look back. Shame, my bank account will say differently

[jcho]

ops, with F2.8 allow you to use TC 1.4/2X if you want more Zoom. But IS is heavy, try shooting with it for 1/2 day...but worth it bro.

[adamadam]

Get the 2.8 IS.
When you don't need the IS, you can turn it off.
When you don't need the f/2.8, you can stop it down.

When you don't need the extra weight, bring your f/4 lens to use.

[madmacs]

Originally Posted by Rangie I recently purchased a 70-200 f4 out of impulse and now I think I should have got its bigger brother.

based on your statement, i think you might as well go for the IS version otherwise you later you may start thinking..."what if".

about the sharpness. though i only have the f/4 version, i doubt the sharpness between both f/2.8 lenses that far apart. i guess only the those will really really good eyes can tell the difference. also consider this...if you are not able to support the camera and lens steadily, the pics you get may turn out to be less sharp than if you had used the IS version.

[haagen_dazs]

Originally Posted by ianpaice wow! Can return your f4 to the shop and upgrade? Then your f4 will probably be packed up again and resell as brand new?

Originally Posted by saperboy that should not really be an issue... as long as the item looks and feels brandnew. In other countries the customer always have the right to change his mind and exchange or even return the goods, as long as it's undamaged.

CLARIFICATION
it is true other countries like the USA take items back.
BUT they DO NOT resell as brand new. They are legally NOT allowed to.
They can only sell it as Refurbished!

[sehsuan]

Originally Posted by jcho ops, with F2.8 allow you to use TC 1.4/2X if you want more Zoom. But IS is heavy, try shooting with it for 1/2 day...but worth it bro.

The lens is not heavy. Really. After you get used to using it.