70-200mm usefulness

[kenkht]

Having had this lens (70-200mm) for a while but I find it difficult to get any good use out of it, for me at least. May be good for portrait but I use my primes for that mostly. At the long end 200mm, it's not long enough for wildlife. I have an extension lens but we're not talking about that right now.

So, I would like to know from fellow forumers what you use this lens for mostly.

 

[augiow]

I find it very useful for candid portraits. Unless you have a 200mm prime, then you probably won't find it useful. But I don't really like changing lens all the time, pretty troublesome.

 

[kenkht]

The reason I'm asking this is I'm planning a couple of trips/treks overseas this year and wondered if I should bring this lens along after having the 24-105mm.

 

[zac08]

The reason I'm asking this is I'm planning a couple of trips/treks overseas this year and wondered if I should bring this lens along after having the 24-105mm.

Do you use it most of the times?

Else, set aside 1 day or 2 and try using this lens ONLY for some shoots, see if you like it. Then you can decide if you wanna bring it or not.

 

[waiyean]

If there is time for me to change lens, would prefer to use primes + extended. Otherwise zoom will be better. Also need to be mindful of total weight of equipment.

 

[whizzard]

Having had this lens (70-200mm) for a while but I find it difficult to get any good use out of it, for me at least. May be good for portrait but I use my primes for that mostly. At the long end 200mm, it's not long enough for wildlife. I have an extension lens but we're not talking about that right now.

So, I would like to know from fellow forumers what you use this lens for mostly.

I use it for capturing sports. The fast lens coupled with the ability to zoom btwn 70-200 gives me a versatile range for capturing sporting action, whether at the track, the field or even indoors.

Cheers!

 

[andretan]

If you are gonna shoot wildlife, why not consider something from Sigma? I think they got those super-telezooms...

 

[giantcanopy]

Individual preference. I love the flexibility and is one of my walk about lenses. landscapes , streets ..

Ryan

 

[thenomad]

Owned the canon 70-200 before, but like you, I didn't find a lot of things to shoot with it..

I think it's good for sports, wildlife, candids and nature, which I don't do much. For portraits I tend to use primes.

So depends on your shooting style..

 

[frankchn]

The 70-200 f/2.8s from all the lens manufacturers are for sports, candids and probably the ultimate lens for event/wedding photography.

 

[geeteethree]

Photojournalism, including War photography, weddings.
Anything and everything except for specialty types like Birding, Wildlife.

 

[Yapster]

Having had this lens (70-200mm) for a while but I find it difficult to get any good use out of it, for me at least. May be good for portrait but I use my primes for that mostly. At the long end 200mm, it's not long enough for wildlife. I have an extension lens but we're not talking about that right now.

So, I would like to know from fellow forumers what you use this lens for mostly.

Agree with zac08 on the method. I did it about 5 times and i decided to sell it to fund other lens/body.

By the way, i used it for streets mainly. For portrait, it is cheaper and maybe lighter to go for the primes (such as 85mm f1.4) as thenormad mentioned.

And ya, like giantcanopy mentioned, depends on your shooting style.
But since you are going trekking, you may wanna go light.
For tour which is less physical demanding, ya, the 70-200 may come in handy.

Do you use it most of the times?

Else, set aside 1 day or 2 and try using this lens ONLY for some shoots, see if you like it. Then you can decide if you wanna bring it or not.

Individual preference.

Owned the canon 70-200 before, but like you, I didn't find a lot of things to shoot with it..

I think it's good for sports, wildlife, candids and nature, which I don't do much. For portraits I tend to use primes.

So depends on your shooting style..

 

[Akatsuki]

own a 3rd party 70-300mm... mostly use it for street candid.. Also use it for portrait occasionally, but usually use prime... and yeah... it's my most underutilized lens :sweat:

 

[coolradx]

The reason I'm asking this is I'm planning a couple of trips/treks overseas this year and wondered if I should bring this lens along after having the 24-105mm.

Recently went to seam reap with my 70-200. It was definitely worth it lugging this heavy lens along. Captured most of my favourite pics using this lens. Used it for candid portraits and the lens proved indispensible when I was on a boat tour as most of the subjects will be quite far away. If you can take the extra weight on your trip, you should bring it.

 

[devilboy]

To be frank, I bought 70-200mm because I see it as a highly recommended lense. But it's not a specialise lense for whatever purpose, not long enough for sports (be it on DC or FF), quite OK for candid and modelling but after using it for 1 year, I think it's best for covering indoor/outdoor event like talks and seminars. And yes... unless you really have hands that does not shake, shooting this lense indoor with handheld is really tough... really really tough especially you want to have high clarity by not pumping up the ISO. This lense works it magic when you are on monopod.

 

[woojacky]

Hmmmm I used mainly for walkabout shoots these days replacing the 18-200 VR (minus those tight areas where it can focus no longer)
But I do realised it's a very good portrait / event glass to use. Otherwise I would use 14-24 instead.
Weight wise to me is negligible because I'm very heavy to begin with hehe but nonetheless I'm used to lugging
heavy things and still able to walk around for a whole day, so no biggie to me

 

[elmzarcega]

It all depends on your shooting style... in my case, this is my well used range, I used it often for portrait, product shoot, macro, etc.
but for walkabout lens, I'm still prefer using my Kit lens due to its light weight...

 

[night86mare]

Having had this lens (70-200mm) for a while but I find it difficult to get any good use out of it, for me at least. May be good for portrait but I use my primes for that mostly. At the long end 200mm, it's not long enough for wildlife. I have an extension lens but we're not talking about that right now.

So, I would like to know from fellow forumers what you use this lens for mostly.

the 70-200 range is pretty alright, to be honest.

now, 400, 500mm, these are really too long for general use. but anything from 18-200 tends to be usable.

 

[parampita]

Had a holiday last December, was so glad I brought my 70-200mm along. Turned out I took most of my shots with it! You should try to shoot more with it.

 

[kenkht]

Looks like lots of candid portrait like street shots use for this lens. I guess I have to use it more to find out what "angle" I can use this lens for myself.

Landscape peaked my interest. How do one use it for landscape with such a long lens, I mean what landscape do you shoot?