70-200 F/4L IS or 70-200 F/2.8L?

silvr · 17th November 2007

Hi all,

noob question:
Given a budget in that price range, give or take a bit, which lens would you recommend and why? It would appear to me that both lenses help to reduce blur caused by camera shake - one through IS and the other simply by offering a faster shutter speed. Am I over-simplifying? What else should I consider?

Please give me some words of wisdom... I'm all ears.

P.S. Got any lens with similar price/performance kindly feel free to recommend also.

ahbian · 17th November 2007

Welcome to clubsnap

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthrea...ighlight=200mm

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthrea...ighlight=200mm

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthrea...ighlight=200mm

Personally, i have rented both to try out. I decided on the F4-IS due to its weight and the fact that I most likely wouldnt need F2.8 in the first place. So it also depends on the type of shooting you are into.

silvr · 17th November 2007

Paiseh... I tried to search.... I swear!

I typed 70-200 and i got no results. 70 200 comparison also nothing.

Anyway thanks for the tip... I'll think about whether I wanna carry the extra weight around... however reading through one of the threads you posted is making me lean more toward the f4 IS.

bellamy · 17th November 2007

I've personally tried the 2.8 at the shop before and it was too heavy for my liking :P I'm a casual hobbyist and since the lens is not for my bread and butter, i went for the F4 non-IS

gd luck!

ahbian · 17th November 2007

Originally Posted by silvr

Paiseh... I tried to search.... I swear! I typed 70-200 and i got no results. 70 200 comparison also nothing.

Anyway thanks for the tip... I'll think about whether I wanna carry the extra weight around...

Its' ok. Happens to us sometimes. The post is not meant to make you feel bad.

Just a way to avoid repeating what was said by others. My advice as usual, rent them both if you can, try them out.

unseenshadows · 18th November 2007

the 70-200 f/2.8 also has an IS version, just in case you've missed out.

err, personally i would get the f/4 IS, its lighter, more compact and i don't need that extra stop of light since i wouldn't using that lens to shoot sport.

but if you have the money to spare and don't mind carrying a bit of extra weight around, then go for the f/2.8 IS.

Koelsch · 18th November 2007

personally, it comes to that point of time when you need that extra stop ( not that it really makes that much of a difference ) but yes, i would go for the 2.8 IS anytime. especially since i'm more into shooting events and lowlight events. if weight is a problem to you, get the f4 IS. it's really decent as well.

elixir · 18th November 2007

I have the 135L and the 70-200L F4 IS. Personally, I still think the 70-200 IS is more practical for my usage, although the 135L offers better image quality and faster speed. I dun usually need the fast speed to freeze a subject.

When I need the bokeh, I will then use the 135L.

That said, I think the IS is a MIRACLE!!! At 200mm, I can still shoot at 1/15th of a second. For the 135L, I need at least 1/125th second. If Canon comes out with a 135L IS, I will buy it without a wink!

So you should evaluate what is the usage for the lens.....

scrappy · 18th November 2007

Well honestly, like many have said and even more will say, it depends on your personal needs. If you feel you'll ever need the extra f-stop (e.g. shooting indoor sports), then by all means go for the f2.8, and maybe get a monopod to help you with the weight. Otherwise, for sure, the F4IS is for you - lighter weight means you'll be more willing to bring it out and use it, plus it's wayyyyyy less tiring.

silvr · 18th November 2007

Thanks for all the advice, people. It is much appreciated! So far, for all that's been said, I'm starting to really think about the f/4 IS instead of the 2.8, as it more or less fits the profile of the stuff I shoot - mostly outdoors, not sports, hand-held etc. Currently using the good ol' Sigma 70-300 APO DG (non OS)... and frankly, unless it's a bright sunny day with a blazing sun, the keeper rate at 300mm f/5.6 is... erm... shall we say... not very good.

P.S. In response to those who recommended: Thanks, and yes... I am aware of the 2.8 IS, however being in the 2+k range it is simply not within budget of a hobbyist like me... yet.

elixir · 18th November 2007

You will be impressed by the 70-200 F4 IS!!! I love it!!! I am always looking for opportunity to bring it out as it is very light. The built is great and yet it is as light as the 135L. The hood is big and cumbersome though.

17th November 2007	#1
silvr New Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 38	70-200 F/4L IS or 70-200 F/2.8L? Hi all, noob question: Given a budget in that price range, give or take a bit, which lens would you recommend and why? It would appear to me that both lenses help to reduce blur caused by camera shake - one through IS and the other simply by offering a faster shutter speed. Am I over-simplifying? What else should I consider? Please give me some words of wisdom... I'm all ears. P.S. Got any lens with similar price/performance kindly feel free to recommend also.

17th November 2007	#2
ahbian Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,637	Re: 70-200 F/4L IS or 70-200 F/2.8L? Welcome to clubsnap http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthrea...ighlight=200mm http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthrea...ighlight=200mm http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthrea...ighlight=200mm Personally, i have rented both to try out. I decided on the F4-IS due to its weight and the fact that I most likely wouldnt need F2.8 in the first place. So it also depends on the type of shooting you are into. __________________ myflickr Last edited by ahbian; 17th November 2007 at 10:56 PM.

17th November 2007	#3
silvr New Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 38	Re: 70-200 F/4L IS or 70-200 F/2.8L? Paiseh... I tried to search.... I swear! I typed 70-200 and i got no results. 70 200 comparison also nothing. Anyway thanks for the tip... I'll think about whether I wanna carry the extra weight around... however reading through one of the threads you posted is making me lean more toward the f4 IS. Last edited by silvr; 17th November 2007 at 11:14 PM.

17th November 2007	#4
bellamy Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 386	Re: 70-200 F/4L IS or 70-200 F/2.8L? I've personally tried the 2.8 at the shop before and it was too heavy for my liking :P I'm a casual hobbyist and since the lens is not for my bread and butter, i went for the F4 non-IS gd luck!

18th November 2007	#6
unseenshadows Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Marine Parade, Singapore Posts: 718	Re: 70-200 F/4L IS or 70-200 F/2.8L? the 70-200 f/2.8 also has an IS version, just in case you've missed out. err, personally i would get the f/4 IS, its lighter, more compact and i don't need that extra stop of light since i wouldn't using that lens to shoot sport. but if you have the money to spare and don't mind carrying a bit of extra weight around, then go for the f/2.8 IS. __________________ I shoot film.

18th November 2007	#7
Koelsch Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Land of the Teddy Bear Posts: 1,464	Re: 70-200 F/4L IS or 70-200 F/2.8L? personally, it comes to that point of time when you need that extra stop ( not that it really makes that much of a difference ) but yes, i would go for the 2.8 IS anytime. especially since i'm more into shooting events and lowlight events. if weight is a problem to you, get the f4 IS. it's really decent as well. __________________ I Love You :)

18th November 2007	#8
elixir Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Katong Posts: 363	Re: 70-200 F/4L IS or 70-200 F/2.8L? I have the 135L and the 70-200L F4 IS. Personally, I still think the 70-200 IS is more practical for my usage, although the 135L offers better image quality and faster speed. I dun usually need the fast speed to freeze a subject. When I need the bokeh, I will then use the 135L. That said, I think the IS is a MIRACLE!!! At 200mm, I can still shoot at 1/15th of a second. For the 135L, I need at least 1/125th second. If Canon comes out with a 135L IS, I will buy it without a wink! So you should evaluate what is the usage for the lens.....

18th November 2007	#9
scrappy Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 199	Re: 70-200 F/4L IS or 70-200 F/2.8L? Well honestly, like many have said and even more will say, it depends on your personal needs. If you feel you'll ever need the extra f-stop (e.g. shooting indoor sports), then by all means go for the f2.8, and maybe get a monopod to help you with the weight. Otherwise, for sure, the F4IS is for you - lighter weight means you'll be more willing to bring it out and use it, plus it's wayyyyyy less tiring.