Has there been a comparative review of the 70-200L f4 IS and the 70-200L f2.8 IS?

Canonized · 22nd September 2007

I think the pair of lenses have got a great reputation but it appears that some view that the f2.8L actually loose out on IQ. I find that quite hard to believe though but I am open to being convinced. Hope that some here have stories to tell or reviews to links.

Thanks.

contaxable · 22nd September 2007

Originally Posted by Canonized

I think the pair of lenses have got a great reputation but it appears that some view that the f2.8L actually loose out on IQ. I find that quite hard to believe though but I am open to being convinced. Hope that some here have stories to tell or reviews to links.

Thanks.

Honestly, get a f2.8 if your budget permits. During low light, it should not focus hunt as bad as an f4.

Question for you to consider: Do you need to depend on IS technology? If not, u can try out the old f2.8. Just remember the IS does not make a scene brighter and focussing hunt may still occur in a f4. Marketing terms can be confusing sometimes to make people want to switch to new gears.

Above are only my humble thoughts. YMMV.

zj2000 · 22nd September 2007

Originally Posted by Canonized

I think the pair of lenses have got a great reputation but it appears that some view that the f2.8L actually loose out on IQ. I find that quite hard to believe though but I am open to being convinced. Hope that some here have stories to tell or reviews to links.

Thanks.

You can compare the mtf from the 2 lenses here:

www.photozone.de

f4 sharper than f2.8

fz30_user · 23rd September 2007

here's a site that compares the IQ based on real images.

http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/15lbsd

tonylim · 23rd September 2007

I have owned both lenses. Both lens are sharp but the F4L is slightly shaper and has higher contrast. The 2.8L will produce much better bokeh and it is useful in low light action photography but it is HEAVY.

JamesW · 23rd September 2007

I had the choice to choose the 70-200 F4 IS and the F2.8 IS. I chose the F4 IS as I would definitely shoot less with a heavier lense.

frodo · 23rd September 2007

Originally Posted by Canonized

I think the pair of lenses have got a great reputation but it appears that some view that the f2.8L actually loose out on IQ. I find that quite hard to believe though but I am open to being convinced. Hope that some here have stories to tell or reviews to links.

Thanks.

Think you can check the comparsion of IQ here But then again it also depends wether you bought a good copy.

Canonized · 24th September 2007

I found the information and links most helpful. I purchased the f2.8 IS over the weekend but no regrets. I like the option of having a telecon on to extend the length of reach esp on 1.6 crop. Great for birding and wildlife.

I have the f4 non IS version but may plan to release that to acquire the f4 IS version since it has such a great review. I shoot mainly indoor events and some times outdoor birding for fun (where the f4 proved to be useless for me). Should I bother with the f4 IS version?

BTW - I still use and carry the f4 for holiday trips as its lighter. I also know that the old non IS version is now dirt cheap and the new IS version is more than double the new price. Tough.

Redsun · 24th September 2007

Since you have the 2.8 already why bother getting the F4?
unless you have spare cash to spend,no one's stopping you

yehosaphat · 24th September 2007

Used both the lens before and I must say the bokeh for the f2.8 is certainly remarkable. But in terms of sharpness and weight, I decided on the f4 IS!

disar · 4th October 2007

Has anyone tried both 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM and 70-200mm F2.8L USM? Any significant difference in term of speed it needs to focus and stabilize?

FilterFunk · 5th October 2007

how is the 70-200 f2.8 non-IS going to 'stabilise' without any IS module in it?

unless you are talking about AF lock

yehosaphat · 7th October 2007

One has the ability to stabilise the other not

Anyway, since both have the same aperture, should technically have the same focusing speed.

disar · 7th October 2007

Originally Posted by FilterFunk

how is the 70-200 f2.8 non-IS going to 'stabilise' without any IS module in it? unless you are talking about AF lock

Sorry I should have asked "is there any significant delay in which the IS needs to stabilise before we can hoot a shot"

22nd September 2007	#1
Canonized Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: PLANET EARTH Posts: 361	Has there been a comparative review of the 70-200L f4 IS and the 70-200L f2.8 IS? I think the pair of lenses have got a great reputation but it appears that some view that the f2.8L actually loose out on IQ. I find that quite hard to believe though but I am open to being convinced. Hope that some here have stories to tell or reviews to links. Thanks. __________________ My Sites: http://watchinghorology.com http://htfotos.com *My Gear List*

23rd September 2007	#4
fz30_user Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 358	Re: Has there been a comparative review of the 70-200L f4 IS and the 70-200L f2.8 IS? here's a site that compares the IQ based on real images. http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/15lbsd

23rd September 2007	#5
tonylim Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,321	Re: Has there been a comparative review of the 70-200L f4 IS and the 70-200L f2.8 IS? I have owned both lenses. Both lens are sharp but the F4L is slightly shaper and has higher contrast. The 2.8L will produce much better bokeh and it is useful in low light action photography but it is HEAVY.

23rd September 2007	#6
JamesW Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Singapore Posts: 575	Re: Has there been a comparative review of the 70-200L f4 IS and the 70-200L f2.8 IS? I had the choice to choose the 70-200 F4 IS and the F2.8 IS. I chose the F4 IS as I would definitely shoot less with a heavier lense. __________________ A camera cannot teach you how to see.

24th September 2007	#8
Canonized Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: PLANET EARTH Posts: 361	Thanks Everyone! I found the information and links most helpful. I purchased the f2.8 IS over the weekend but no regrets. I like the option of having a telecon on to extend the length of reach esp on 1.6 crop. Great for birding and wildlife. I have the f4 non IS version but may plan to release that to acquire the f4 IS version since it has such a great review. I shoot mainly indoor events and some times outdoor birding for fun (where the f4 proved to be useless for me). Should I bother with the f4 IS version? BTW - I still use and carry the f4 for holiday trips as its lighter. I also know that the old non IS version is now dirt cheap and the new IS version is more than double the new price. Tough. __________________ My Sites: http://watchinghorology.com http://htfotos.com *My Gear List*

24th September 2007	#9
Redsun Member/Tangshooter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Jurong West Posts: 6,347	Re: Has there been a comparative review of the 70-200L f4 IS and the 70-200L f2.8 IS? Since you have the 2.8 already why bother getting the F4? unless you have spare cash to spend,no one's stopping you __________________ Flickr DeviantART Tangshooters

24th September 2007	#10
yehosaphat Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: North Posts: 2,599	Re: Has there been a comparative review of the 70-200L f4 IS and the 70-200L f2.8 IS? Used both the lens before and I must say the bokeh for the f2.8 is certainly remarkable. But in terms of sharpness and weight, I decided on the f4 IS! __________________ Canon 5D mkII\|24-105mm F4 IS L\|70-200mm F4 IS L\|580EX\|and more coming! :P

4th October 2007	#11
disar New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 10	Re: Has there been a comparative review of the 70-200L f4 IS and the 70-200L f2.8 IS? Has anyone tried both 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM and 70-200mm F2.8L USM? Any significant difference in term of speed it needs to focus and stabilize?

5th October 2007	#12
FilterFunk Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: 卧龙岗 Posts: 2,660	Re: Has there been a comparative review of the 70-200L f4 IS and the 70-200L f2.8 IS? how is the 70-200 f2.8 non-IS going to 'stabilise' without any IS module in it? unless you are talking about AF lock

7th October 2007	#13
yehosaphat Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: North Posts: 2,599	Re: Has there been a comparative review of the 70-200L f4 IS and the 70-200L f2.8 IS? One has the ability to stabilise the other not Anyway, since both have the same aperture, should technically have the same focusing speed. __________________ Canon 5D mkII\|24-105mm F4 IS L\|70-200mm F4 IS L\|580EX\|and more coming! :P