Advice needed on 70-200mm F4 IS

[sixshot76]

Hi,
I need some advice from all canon user. I had manage to raise fund for 70 to 200 mm IS F4. But now i am thinking is it necessary. Below are some options,

a 70 - 200 mm IS F4

b 70 - 200 mm F4 with 420EX Flash(second hand)

c 70 - 200 mm F4 with Tarmon 17 - 50 mm F2.8

d 24 - 105 mm IS F4

Please advice me on this.

Currently, I am using 400d with canon 50mm F1.8, 17-40 F4, Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 and Tamron 90mm macro F2.8. I like to take portraits and macro Photos.

Hope somebody can advice me on this.

[Snoweagle]

Originally Posted by sixshot76 Hi, I need some advice from all canon user. I had manage to raise fund for 70 to 200 mm IS F4. But now i am thinking is it necessary. Below are some options, a 70 - 200 mm IS F4 b 70 - 200 mm F4 with 420EX Flash(second hand) c 70 - 200 mm F4 with Tarmon 17 - 50 mm F2.8 d 24 - 105 mm IS F4 Please advice me on this. Currently, I am using 400d with canon 50mm F1.8, 17-40 F4, Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 and Tamron 90mm macro F2.8. I like to take portraits and macro Photos. Hope somebody can advice me on this.

When it comes to portraiture, u'll need a flash so option 2 is preferred.

[cerebrus]

You might want to consider a grip. I have used the same lens (great lens!!) on a 350D before. It just feels strange, hanging that thing off such a small body. Also, will make life easier for you when you shoot in portrait mode.

[Frijj]

Originally Posted by sixshot76 Hi, I need some advice from all canon user. I had manage to raise fund for 70 to 200 mm IS F4. But now i am thinking is it necessary. Below are some options, a 70 - 200 mm IS F4 b 70 - 200 mm F4 with 420EX Flash(second hand) c 70 - 200 mm F4 with Tarmon 17 - 50 mm F2.8 d 24 - 105 mm IS F4 Please advice me on this. Currently, I am using 400d with canon 50mm F1.8, 17-40 F4, Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 and Tamron 90mm macro F2.8. I like to take portraits and macro Photos. Hope somebody can advice me on this.

With the lenses you have, all you need is a flash. Save yourself $$$ and just get a 580EX.

Alternatively, sell off your 17-40 and get the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8

[pokiemon]

if u like taking portrait, the 50mm is good enough or u can get the 85mm 1.8 or even the 100mm for macro and portraits.

i would use a 70-200 for sports or objects that require distance. also u don't really need IS
if u r just taking portraits.

[yehosaphat]

Why do you need the 70-200 when you already have the 70-300? I'd rather you spend the $$ on a prime lens for portraiture or macro lens!

[Dream Merchant]

I or we can't tell you the answer, because you know your shooting style and needs better than anyone else.

If I were in that fortunate position, I would ask myself a few questions (assuming you're not shooting for money):

Which of my present equipment I don't use at least once a week? Get rid of that for more $$$.

When I'm out shooting, what kind of conditions I always encounter that gets me in a jam? When that happens, what do I wish I had that would make life so much easier? It could even be a better rain-coat or if you shoot your macros near swamps where there may be poisionous snakes, a better bite-proof pair of boots.

In all likely-hood (good chance of happening, not just a mabbieee sometime later I tink I try try lor), what other sort of photography will you take up, and what equipment would you need for that? Some types of photography (like macro), camera and lenses only form like 20-30% of the equipment needed. The rest all lights and other die die must have accessories.

Next, ask yourself, if I never ever have any more money to buy equipment after this purchase, what from my existing line-up would I get rid of, and what would I really NEED, not want?

Then what about $$$ for repairs, replacements and maintainence?


I had saved up over 3 or 4 years. I always used a cheapo 70/80-200 before, so I got the 70-200L 2.8 IS. Absolutely gorgeous lens! Weight was NOT a problem. In the end, the lens ended up in the drycab more often than not as my shooting style and subjects slowly changed - I didn't look hard enough at what I really NEEDED and think ahead. No money no choice so I sold it off in still like MINT condition and got prime lenses instead.

[USM]

Originally Posted by sixshot76 Currently, I am using 400d with canon 50mm F1.8, 17-40 F4, Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 and Tamron 90mm macro F2.8. I like to take portraits and macro Photos.

I believe that your current setup is good enough.

EF 50mm f1.8 can be used for portraits.

Tamron 90mm can be used to take portraits and macro.

EF 17-40mm f4L for landscape, etc.

Sigma 70-300mm can also be used for macro and street photography, etc.

I would suggest that you continue to use your existing gear to take more good pictures until you have found limitations in your setup.

[binot]

buy only one item. don't compromise coz you will end up regretting. either the 70-200 f4 IS or the flash. just one at a time, whichever you need first. save $$ again for the next one.

[buabua]

take the flash only!

u will need it!

[Halfmoon]

Concur... get a flash....

[Love_sky]

Flash or Grip

Holding a "dai pao" without a grip is very uncomfortable to yr hand ..

Anyway, i'm agree with most of the senior here ... save up for other purposes

The 70-200 really make no difference when you already have 70-300

[midicity]

You have quite a decent range of lenses. If you like to take portraiture, consider the following

- Upgrade 50mm f1.8 to 50 f1.4 - the bokeh is better.
- Get get a 85mm f1.8 - different range, but one of the favourite portrait lenses
- Get a flash, either 430EX or 580 EX

[blueskye168]

Originally Posted by sixshot76 Hi, I need some advice from all canon user. I had manage to raise fund for 70 to 200 mm IS F4. But now i am thinking is it necessary. Below are some options, a 70 - 200 mm IS F4 b 70 - 200 mm F4 with 420EX Flash(second hand) c 70 - 200 mm F4 with Tarmon 17 - 50 mm F2.8 d 24 - 105 mm IS F4 Please advice me on this. Currently, I am using 400d with canon 50mm F1.8, 17-40 F4, Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 and Tamron 90mm macro F2.8. I like to take portraits and macro Photos. Hope somebody can advice me on this.

You might consider a Vert.-Grip & 430EX or 580EX first, then upgrade/change to a "Portraits"-lens eg. 85f/1.8=136mm & 50f/1.4=80mm (1.6X crop+Bokeh)

[zj2000]

How come no one mention 70-200 2.8? Creamy bokeh and shallow dof at 200mm 2.8... great for portraits....

If you don't have enough money now then try to save up and get the best else you'll be itching to upgrade like what is happening now.... end up costing you even more.... get the best and that will be the end of it....

[An drew]

Since everyone has already given you very good reasons NOT to buy the 70-200 f4IS, perhaps I should think of some reasons for you to go for it.

The 70-200 f4 (non-IS) has always been used by Canon as a bait for non-pro to buy into L lenses. It is great value for money, producing incredible sharpness, it is also probably one of the cheapest lenses that uses fluorite. This lens is about as sharp as L primes (e.g. 200L), only thing is the f-stop, which is its main weakness. Shooting at 200mm without handshake is no easy task, so in the past, the only solution is to go to the monstrous 2.8 IS, which is a pain to travel or backpack with.

Now, Canon has given you a way out. A lighter but well constructed 70-200L that eliminated most but not all of the weakness of an f4. It's size and weight are much more convenient so you ARE likely to use it more. Since you have saved for it, why not.

If you dun use it, there will be buyers waiting at the BnS here.

[sixshot76]

Thanks for all the advises. Had sold my 50mm F1.8 and 70-300mm F4-5.6. Had brought 70-200mm F4 and 430EX. Think is a good setup for me at the moment. Thanks again.

[raptor84]

Been using this combo for a long time now. Good choice

[sixshot76]

Originally Posted by raptor84 Been using this combo for a long time now. Good choice

Thanks. Now maybe looking at 24 to 70mm F2.8 to cover all the range.

[yehosaphat]

Originally Posted by sixshot76 Thanks. Now maybe looking at 24 to 70mm F2.8 to cover all the range.

This is never-ending! Haha