Canon 70-200mm f2.8, lens...

[xal]

Hi,

I am hoping to save some money, sell the 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS that i am using now and try to get the 70-200mm f2.8 non IS version of the lens for hopefully around $1000 Can in April of this year.

The IS version of this lens is about $2000 right now and even by april i don't think it'll go under $1700 which i really can't afford.

Considering i'll be shooting mostly models/portraits do you guys think it's ok to go with the non IS version, especially since it'll save me over $600 which I can save later in the year and maybe purchase the Canon 7D when it comes down in price. For now I am happy with my XSI but i really want this lens since i'm starting to get more serious about photography and want to start my own photo based business in the summer, and do it at least part time if not full time.

So, in your esteemed opinions do you think the non IS is a good investment, or should I try to get another lens cheaper, although I've seen most pro photographers that shoot models use this lens.


Thanks!

[chimphappyhour]

Not on the Canon side but all of my long glass is now non-VR lenses, 80-200 AF-S f2.8 and 300 AF-S f4. Both are sharp enough to leave just about wide open. If I need to, I bump up the ISO. I only seem to have issues exactly when you would think I would, when the light gets to be not so nice and I'm still stubbornly trying to hand hold my shots.

The only thing I would look into is coatings and the glass formula. Some older lenses lack the right coatings to keep ghosting down because they were meant for film. Digital sensors are like having a mirror at the end of the tube and can cause issues. My 80-200 is a design from the film days and has ghosting issues. So I just try to avoid pointing it towards strong light sources.

[sabesh]

George,

Version II of this lens has been announced. Once it's released, v1 will come down in price (used).

IS will be handy if you use the lens @ Gigs where lighting may be an issue.

Cheers,

Sabesh.

[xal]

Yeah, I noticed you guys were talking about it, that's why i was going to wait until April anyways to get the version 1. I'm not sure i need IS especially if its' $600 more expensive, then again it depends on how much it goes down in price and how much money i can save.


I'm mostly going to use for indoor model shoots, if i go outdoors i'll probably use another lens, also my hands are pretty steady (another bonus of going to the gym regularly).

[chimphappyhour]

Again, not sure how Canon will do it but when Nikon intro'd the new 70-200VR to replace the old one, the old one held its price and they just marked up the new one quite a bit. Just to brace you for what might come.

[xal]

Still waiting for the price to come down, I can wait until about late April, early May to get this lens...still undecided about IS or no IS, but it may end up that I can only afford the non IS one anyways. Hopefully it'll be close to $1000 used or less than $1400 new.

[xal]

Seems I won't be getting much for my tax refund, and this lens is still super expensive, i think i'm going to go for the f4 non IS instead for now, and if I have more money later in the year and the f2.8 goes down by christmas maybe i'll get it then.


Edit- pulled the trigger and bought a slightly used 70-200mm F4 non IS lens today...I am very happy and looking forward to a lot of amazing shots to be taken with this lens. Now time to sell my 55-250mm f4 one.

[Freddy Flash]

I have that same 70-200mm. Very very nice lens, I love the pictures I've gotten out of it

[xal]

Originally Posted by Freddy Flash

I have that same 70-200mm. Very very nice lens, I love the pictures I've gotten out of it

I'm loving it so far...also I'm hoping it's a good quality one since the person I got it from bought it brand new in 2007. So, the lens is 3 years old, i'm hoping they made them better back then as opposed to say a 2009 one. Also the colour is grey not really white like the new ones.

[Freddy Flash]

Mine's from around that kind of timeframe. Good deal man

[sabesh]

Congrats George! Hope to see some pics from that lens. Sammy.

[chimphappyhour]

Probably a good idea that you did. It looks like waiting for prices to drop on the others could be a long wait. I just read an article about the newest 70-200 being waaaay back ordered. They had no idea that there would be so much interest in it, so I suspect dealers are fetching a good price on the new and superseded one.

[xal]

Yeah, the deal came up and that's pretty much what I can afford right now so i went for it.

I'm mostly using my tokina 19-35mm...which is weird but i love it for some reason. I was thinking of getting a 16-50mm f2.8 tokina as well, since it's cheaper than the Canon 17-85mm by far and it has pretty good reviews.

I still have my kit lens 18-55mmIS but i'd rather have the f2.8 that the tokina has and it's a bit better on the wide end as well.

[KrisTeli860]

There are three different versions of it, the NON IS, the IS and the IS II. To answer your question to whether to buy an IS or non IS solely depends on your use of the lens. I would recommend buying the IS or the IS II if you take most your shots handheld rather than using a tripod. If you use or plan on using this lens for wedding shoots, it is also one good reason why you should by the one that has IS on it as it will allow you to take shots with better composition allowing you to move freely during the event rather than having to position your tripod in defferent spots at different time during the event. IS or no IS, tripod or handheld, I can assure you one thing, that every composition will be unique with every shot you take with that glass !!

[xal]

Anyone bought the 70-200mm f2.8 Mark 2 lens yet, if you have it how is it? Is it that much sharper than the Mark1 version and is it worth the extra money?


Thanks!