Canon EF 70-200mm L IS F2.8 vs F4

[KrisCarnmarker]

Cem, I think one thing that has been mentioned but is not given enough weight is the actual improved focusing ability with the f2.8 version. Since I got my 100-400 there has been numerous occasions (in low light) where the AF simply will not lock. Switching to the 70-400 and there is no problem whatsoever. Mind you, the max aperture of the 100-400 is f4.5, but still...

 

[Tim Armes]

I did have a look at some 100 pictures and noted how much would they be helped by one of the following features

Cem, do you really think that you can judge your needs by looking at 100 photos? Such a tiny number is probably not going to help you to make an informed decision.

Furthermore, such an analysis tells you what you needed, not what you will need. How will you evolve? What are you aiming to do? Think about the type of photos that you want to take in the years ahead.

This is asking a lot, I realise. If you're anything like myself, you're probably asking for help because a) you like to make a good investment, b) you can't afford to make the investment that your heart's telling you to and c) you're worried about regretting your decision.

So, perhaps a good solution would be to buy a second hand 70-200 f/4 IS, knowing that you should get back what you paid for it. This will allow you to test it free of charge for a year After a year or so of use, you'll be able to answer these questions for yourself:

1) Is the focal length what you need?
2) Could you carry a heavier lens?
3) Did you use IS a lot?
4) Were you frustrated by the low-light capabilities?
5) Did you need to isolate your subject more than f/4 would allow you too?
6) Did you use all the range, or are you butting up at either end?
7) Would primes meet you needs better?

Etc.

By buying it second hand with the knowledge that you will change it if needed, you take all the stress out of trying to make a decision that you simply can't reliably make today.
[/quote]

Tim

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

...This is asking a lot, I realise. If you're anything like myself, you're probably asking for help because a) you like to make a good investment, b) you can't afford to make the investment that your heart's telling you to and c) you're worried about regretting your decision. ...

Hi Tim.

You are absolutely correct on all three .

I have searched for second hand F4 IS for sale on the web (in Benelux) but could not find any, no one is parting yet.

So if I buy one, it will be a new one I'm afraid (or not so afraid)....

Thanks for your help.

Cheers,

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

Cem, I think one thing that has been mentioned but is not given enough weight is the actual improved focusing ability with the f2.8 version. Since I got my 100-400 there has been numerous occasions (in low light) where the AF simply will not lock. Switching to the 70-400 and there is no problem whatsoever. Mind you, the max aperture of the 100-400 is f4.5, but still...

Hi Kris,

Thanks a lot for this info. Not being able to AF is one of my least worries actually since I am rather good in adjusting the focus manually. So that will not be a showstopper for me .

Cheers,

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

Cem, rather than making the choice you will ultimately have to make yourself, let me add some things to contemplate. ...
...
- Do not underestimate the usefulness of IS!
....
- Do not underestimate the usefulness of IS (can't stress that enough at longer focal lengths.
....
....
- Did I mention the usefulness of IS?
...

LOL, thanks Bart. Did I mention that you've helped me a a lot?

I guess I should be off to the shop for an F4 IS then, without the extender or the monodpod for the time being <smile>.

Cheers (en hartelijk dank),

 

[Tim Armes]

Hi Tim.
You are absolutely correct on all three .
Cheers,

In that case I can only offer you one piece of advice: wait and save. Enjoy what you have now and buy what you really want when you can afford it.

I've made many such compromises myself and most of the time I end up with a nagging regret in the back of my head that never goes away.

Tim

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

In that case I can only offer you one piece of advice: wait and save. Enjoy what you have now and buy what you really want when you can afford it.

I've made many such compromises myself and most of the time I end up with a nagging regret in the back of my head that never goes away.

Tim

Oh my, this I read a little bit too late I'm afraid ;-).

I've bought the F4 IS this afternoon. And then went to Antwerpen to try it out. I'll share some pics here soon.

Thanks everybody for your invaluable advice and patience with me.

Cheers,

PS; If Ray is right, then you'll see an ad for a little used F4 IS in a few weeks' time <LOL>

 

[Don Lashier]

> Since I got my 100-400 there has been numerous occasions (in low light) where the AF simply will not lock. Switching to the 70-400 and there is no problem

My 70-200 f4 is an order of magnitude better at focusing than my 100-400 which was simply horrible. I don't ever recall having focusing issues with the 70-200, even in low light. The 100-400 was so bad even in broad daylight that I eventually got rid of it in favor of a 300 f4.

- DL

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

Here are the initial results...

As promised, here are some pictures from the very first batch I took this afternoon/evening.

All the pictures are taken handheld, IS has been switched on all the time. Camera is 5D.

Firstly, here is one of my cat.
ISO 1600, 200mm, f4, 1/10 s

As can be seen, the bokeh is rather pleasing and there were no issues with auto focus in th dim light.

Next, a trial shot to push the lens to the limits.
ISO 1600, 200 mm, f4, 1/5 s

To me, this is amazing; 1/5 sec handheld at 200mm!

And some more.....

This one was the interior of an old loft, I "pushed" the lens through a small hole in the old door to take it. I like this a lot, even if I say so myself
ISO 400, 70mm, f8, 1/30s

ISO 400, 70mm, f5.6, 1/60s

More to follow in the next post....

Cheers,

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

...and more pictures...

...the saga continues:

ISO 400, 200mm, f8, 1/250s

ISO 400, 121mm, f8, 1/640s

ISO 400. 144mm, f11, 1/200s

ISO 400, 169mm, f8, 1/250s, B&W conversion via channel mixing in LR

Thanks for looking.

Cheers,

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

And finally....

OK, I'll stop now. It's just that this lens has made me so enthusiastic, unbelievable!

ISO 400, 70mm, f8, 1/640s

ISO 400, 70mm, f8, 1/400s

ISO 400, 200mm, f10, 1/50s

ISO 400, 200mm, f5.6, 1/100s

Cheers,

 

[nicolas claris]

Fine! enjoy!

Congrats Cem for your new purchase, alas not ƒ2.8 !-)

now, use ƒ4 so we see the bokey…

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

...now, use ƒ4 so we see the bokey…

Merci Nicolas,

Did you see the picture of my cat, the first one? That is taken with f4, shows a nice bokeh if you ask me.

Cheers,

 

[Don Lashier]

Wow Cem! Show us how to use a telephoto why don't you.

btw with a tele f4 is usually wide enough for bokeh as splendidly illustrated by your cat portrait. Where I ran into problems is in stadium situations where both the subject and background are relatively far and f4 just doesn't provide enough separation.

Don't you just love the crispness and color of this lens?

- DL

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

Thx Don, <blush>

I understand what you're saying. I have taken a few pictures today in which the separation is not enough just like you describe, but that's a price I'm willing to pay ;-).
In the end, the lens is just amazing! I thought the stories about the sharpness were just exaggerations, but they were actually true. Happy, I am....

Regards,

 

[Kathy Rappaport]

Love those images...

While that copy of the F4 is seems to be pretty good, I have a feeling that in looking at your images, your skills are pretty good too....don't forget to factor in the photographer's skills in how a lens works!

Excellent, Cem!

 

[Don Lashier]

> While that copy of the F4 is seems to be pretty good ...

Like Lake Wobegon children, and unlike most lenses, all copies of that lens are "above average". (I think Cem is an above average photographer too

- DL

 

[Ray West]

Methinks we have one happy chappie here ;-)

Can I use the word 'nice' ?

Best wishes,

Ray

 

[nicolas claris]

Merci Nicolas,

Did you see the picture of my cat, the first one? That is taken with f4, shows a nice bokeh if you ask me.

Cheers,

Hi Cem
Sorry I didn't as my browser showed me a new page with your last post, and I didn't guess there where a lot (even more fine and interesting)… pardon me!
I'm with Don with his comments, including t

problems is in stadium situations where both the subject and background are relatively far and f4 just doesn't provide enough separation

but you've answered already!
Have a nice long lens week-end!

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

...Have a nice long lens week-end!

Hi Nicolas,

LOL, was that an intentional pun?
Long weekend + long lens = long lens weekend....

Have a nice weekend as well,

Regards,

 

[nicolas claris]

LOL, was that an intentional pun?
Long weekend + long lens = long lens weekend....

Well I guess it was the best hop' for ya!

 

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

As promised, here are some pictures from the very first batch I took this afternoon/evening.

All the pictures are taken handheld, IS has been switched on all the time. Camera is 5D.

Hi Cem,

Congratulations with the new lens. I have to say, you've already made some great images with it. It looks like this lens is boosting your creativity and eye for composition, 1+1=3 for sure. These first 'tests' look very nice, kudos.

I know you don't have a direct side by side comparison with its f/2.8 IS Goliath sibling, but how would you describe the f/4 IS' focus speed on the 5D? On my 1Ds2 it's marginally slower than my other f/2.8 lenses, not by much but just noticable. Any problems with dimly lit scenes?

Looking forward to seeing future results,
Bart

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

...I know you don't have a direct side by side comparison with its f/2.8 IS Goliath sibling, but how would you describe the f/4 IS' focus speed on the 5D? On my 1Ds2 it's marginally slower than my other f/2.8 lenses, not by much but just noticable. Any problems with dimly lit scenes? ..

Hi Bart,

Wil come back to you on this soon, currently I don't have an answer.

Thanks for your ongoing support and encouragemement. Also thanks to your input I'e decided to buy this great lens .

Cheers,

 

[Kathy Rappaport]

There you guys go again...

Talking about size and performance again....(sorry, I had to ...)

 

[Ralph Eisenberg]

Congratulations on the purchase. You have not been idle and one can see that you have put the lens to excellent use already. Certainly encouragement for those of us who have also been contemplating getting this lens.

 

[nicolas claris]

Talking about size and performance again....(sorry, I had to ...)

But don't that count to for you to? (sorry, I had to ... too)

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

But don't that count to for you to? (sorry, I had to ... too)

Oh my! Who are you and what have you done to our kind and gentle Nicolas? <LOL>

Cheers,

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

Congratulations on the purchase. You have not been idle and one can see that you have put the lens to excellent use already. Certainly encouragement for those of us who have also been contemplating getting this lens.

Thanks Ralph. Once I have narrowed my decision, I had to do something. Remaining idle was not an option for me.

Re. the lens, I can certainly recommend it. I did a small test this afternoon with a friends F2.8 (non IS) on my 5D and my new F4 IS. I'll share my thought on that later.

Cheers,

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

...I know you don't have a direct side by side comparison with its f/2.8 IS Goliath sibling, but how would you describe the f/4 IS' focus speed on the 5D? On my 1Ds2 it's marginally slower than my other f/2.8 lenses, not by much but just noticable. Any problems with dimly lit scenes? ..

Hi Bart,

Guess what, I just ran into a friend and he had his F2.8 (non IS) with him (lucky us). So I did some quick tests with both lenses on my 5D. This is not scientific of course, but my feeling re. the focussing speed is that the f4 is marginally slower than the f2.8. How much slower I can not say. Gut feeling is that it is around 20% slower. Just noticeable as you said yourself.

I did not encounter any AF problems with dimly lit scenes so far but it is early days yet. I did some tests in a dark church this afternoon. All was rather well and I am glad.

Later I can share some side-by-side shots of the f2.8 and the f4, if you want me to (re. the bokeh differences).

Cheers,

 

[nicolas claris]

Oh my! Who are you and what have you done to our kind and gentle Nicolas? <LOL>

But this IS kind and gentle! long lol <>