70-200 L advice

bernard0368

I have finally managed to get the money together to buy the canon 70-200L. I was wondering If the IS or Non Is is the better option. I do little or no indoor shooting. If I was going to go for the IS version will I need to hurry up considering the MK II is now out and this is way out of my budget.

Ballyman

If you do little or no indoor shooting then the IS is a waste of money. However when you have to do some indoor stuff will you be sorry you don't have it?

The non IS is incredibly sharp and lighter than the IS version. I have the non version and have no complaints. I'd like the IS version as I do the odd wedding but it hasn't really been a problem so far as i've used a monopod.

The only person who can decide this is you as all versions will be recommended to you here. If cost is an issue then the non is is the winner as you should be able to pick one up second hand for about €750.

Ricky91t

bernard0368 wrote: »

I have finally managed to get the money together to buy the canon 70-200L. I was wondering If the IS or Non Is is the better option. I do little or no indoor shooting. If I was going to go for the IS version will I need to hurry up considering the MK II is now out and this is way out of my budget.

If anything wait a while ( I know, it's tough) But with the release of the new MKII people who are the type who can't live unless they have the newest equipment will soon be selling used but mint condition glass, Also consider the used Market or even buy from a used lens from a UK shop..

I can say that mifsuds.co.uk(bought a camera from these) offer a great service and
By this evening I'll also be able to comment on mpbphotographic.co.uk(lens from these)

pullandbang

bernard0368 wrote: »

I have finally managed to get the money together to buy the canon 70-200L. I was wondering If the IS or Non Is is the better option. I do little or no indoor shooting. If I was going to go for the IS version will I need to hurry up considering the MK II is now out and this is way out of my budget.

f2.8 or f4 ?

I have the non IS f4 and it is incredibly sharp with good saturation and contrast. It's rated as one of Canon's best lenses - incredibly light, relatively small and fast focus. €400'ish second hand.

Borderfox

Depends on your subjects, even if you shoot portraits IS will help lower iso on a static portrait. For weddings I always use it and can shoot as low as 1/30th at 200mm. Only applies if you have a 1 series body but the IS version is weather sealed too

bernard0368

I could wait, a little and see if any come up on the second hand market. I am however a little wary in buying s/h gear. pullandbang I am inclined to go for the f2.8 just for the extra speed not sure why though as I have a 28-70 f2.8 and I can honestly say I have never used it at f2.8. I suppose its a bit of "looking at it rather than looking for it"

Ballyman

Well if you are wary buying second hand gear then you have no option but the IS as the non-IS is no longer manufactured as far as I know.

Borderfox

bernard0368 wrote: »

I could wait, a little and see if any come up on the second hand market. I am however a little wary in buying s/h gear. pullandbang I am inclined to go for the f2.8 just for the extra speed not sure why though as I have a 28-70 f2.8 and I can honestly say I have never used it at f2.8. I suppose its a bit of "looking at it rather than looking for it"

The reason I buy an f2.8 lens is two fold

1: to use it at f2.8
2: better image quality if you stop it down a bit, at f3.5 its stopped down but still under an f4 lens wide open

swingking

pullandbang wrote: »

f2.8 or f4 ?

I have the non IS f4 and it is incredibly sharp with good saturation and contrast. It's rated as one of Canon's best lenses - incredibly light, relatively small and fast focus. €400'ish second hand.

Glad to see my old lens was given a good home

pullandbang

swingking wrote: »

Glad to see my old lens was given a good home

....and it's getting plenty of use

It is a cracker of a lens though and light enough to carry as a walkabout.

ThOnda

Cannot wait to get mine from my boss as a quite delayed Christmas present! And because he waited, there is only MkII in shops now

.Longshanks.

^ lucky sod:D