70-200mm f4 L IS lens

[Stoned]

actually, if u dun need the IS, the previous f4L is a darn good buy now. and this is coming from an ex-canon user. had this beauty and, IMO, the best 70-200 ranged zoom lens i've ever owned.

and, no, i'm not interested in any flamewars. just my own personal opinions after using 4 lenses from both systems within this range. if they have a EOS-nikon converter, u'll see this on my DSLR.

The f2.8 Non-IS is also a pretty good bet since prices have been cut substantially by Canon. I used to own the F4 non-IS(wow lens, loved it to bits) but when I switched to the f2.8, I still noticed an improvement in IQ(which was really really surprising as I didn't expect anything better than the F4L). In any case, the whole 70-200L range from Canon is stellar, you can't go wrong with any of them.

 

[kenkoh]

I own the 70-300 IS USM and used to own the 70-200 F4L. I sold the 70-200 F4L the moment the IS version was announced as it was my intention to buy the IS version. At the time, I was having a lot of problems with my 70-300 IS USM (it was one of those with the portrait problem). I had brought it back to Canon twice, and even after the 1st swop with the new internals, the portrait problem still remained. For the 2nd swop, I spoke to the Canon engineer, showed him my pics and he assured me that he would personally find me the sharpest copy in house). My lens was with Canon almost 6 weeks, but I am happy to report that I finally have a good copy. I'm in the same boat as you as I am now hesitating to buy the 70-200 F4L IS lens.

Pros of the 70-300IS for me: I hike/bike/kayak for many days with my camera, so weight is a major factor. the 70-200 F4L IS is 130g (1/4lb) heavier than the 70-300IS. The 70-300IS can take the closeup lens 500D for a lightweight macro setup. Its a lot cheaper than the L, so if its stolen or broken, well... that's my excuse to upgrade to the 70-200 F4L IS... hee hee. This is my primary wildlife lens, and if shooting wildlife, I need all the range I can get within my lightweight setup (300mm equals 480mm on my 1.6 crop 350D).

Cons for me: I love the 'white' L lenses and the build quality of the 70-300IS sucks... but you know that already. Image quality is higher, but the 70-300IS is pretty damn good already... Shorter range - one of the major drawbacks for me. To get additional range, you need to add a TC... added weight, cost and compexity. Constant F4 aperture... hooyah... at 200mm, the 70-300IS is about 2/3 stop slower. Non-rotatating and extending barrel... this sucks on the 70-300IS... but you know that already.

Just my 2 cents... Good luck!

 

[unseen]

actually, if u dun need the IS, the previous f4L is a darn good buy now. and this is coming from an ex-canon user. had this beauty and, IMO, the best 70-200 ranged zoom lens i've ever owned.

and, no, i'm not interested in any flamewars. just my own personal opinions after using 4 lenses from both systems within this range. if they have a EOS-nikon converter, u'll see this on my DSLR.

Personally i think the IS version trashes the no IS one by a fair bit.
Maybe it's just bad experience with the 70-200 f4l, but I find the f4l IS version giving much better image quality than the non-IS version.

To the thread starter
If you're asking me about a choice between 70-300IS and the 70-200 f4l, 70-300IS would win. Hands down. No fight at all.

Against the 70-200f4l IS... I must say if you can afford it, it doesn't hurt your wallet, go for the f4lIS. After much thinking, given a choice between the f2.8 and the f4lIS, i'll take the f4lIS version. the weight is amazing, and so is the IQ.

If you're just a casual photographer, the 70-300is is good enough. keep it ba. Even if published, it's unlikely you can tell any difference anyway. And the extra 100 is :heart: :heart:
If you plan to go around dropping your lenses, then.. 70-200f4l has higher chance of surviving. otherwise, don't worry about the build. Treat them with care, both lenses will out last you and your children.

 

[thw]

I had brought it back to Canon twice, and even after the 1st swop with the new internals, the portrait problem still remained. For the 2nd swop, I spoke to the Canon engineer, showed him my pics and he assured me that he would personally find me the sharpest copy in house). My lens was with Canon almost 6 weeks, but I am happy to report that I finally have a good copy.

Wow, my experience nearly mirrors yours except my copy went to Canon Singapore THREE times before they finally got it right. :angry:

Pros of the 70-300IS for me: I hike/bike/kayak for many days with my camera, so weight is a major factor. the 70-200 F4L IS is 130g (1/4lb) heavier than the 70-300IS.

I have both lenses with me now and I can assure you when you slap the lens on the camera, you won't notice the difference. It's unlike the 17-85 IS vs 17-55 IS whereby the difference is VERY pronounced.

Cons for me: I love the 'white' L lenses and the build quality of the 70-300IS sucks... but you know that already. Image quality is higher, but the 70-300IS is pretty damn good already... Shorter range - one of the major drawbacks for me. To get additional range, you need to add a TC... added weight, cost and compexity. Constant F4 aperture... hooyah... at 200mm, the 70-300IS is about 2/3 stop slower. Non-rotatating and extending barrel... this sucks on the 70-300IS... but you know that already.

Looks like we both have nearly identical views about the 70-300 IS vs 70-200 f/4L IS. :bsmilie:

 

[rexscooby]

Thank you guys . Thanks a lot .

I was close to buying the f4 L IS but cause i just got started . "I got my camera(400D) and lens not more then 2 months" . so i was not sure if it would be a good thing to like spend another $1800 for another lens . Heard a lot of good things about the "L" lens so thought that the difference would be amazing .

But well , maybe i should just keep my current lens and change the body in the future huh ?

Then get the f2.8 L when i got extra cash . hehe .

But anyway THANKS guys for all the recommendations . really appreciate the help guys

 

[yehosaphat]

Hi all,

Just to ask something related as well, anyone already bought this lens? heard that most of the times, there will be some issues with the first batches... is it true for this new lens??

Can those who has bought it already share their experiences? thanks!

 

[Prismatic]

Just to quote a friend;

if it costs more.. it's sharper
if you don't like the lens, it's softer
if I can't afford it.. it's very soft
if I'm waiting to buy it. it's extremly sharp

:bsmilie:

 

[yehosaphat]

Just to quote a friend;

if it costs more.. it's sharper
if you don't like the lens, it's softer
if I can't afford it.. it's very soft
if I'm waiting to buy it. it's extremly sharp

:bsmilie:

okie... so its extremely sharp ;p .. any other comments?

 

[htthach]

okie... so its extremely sharp ;p .. any other comments?

very soft :bsmilie:

 

[yehosaphat]

ok... duh... serious comments?

 

[SQ123]

happened to loan from someone who owns it in CS sometime back when it was 1st out.

Slim and lighter (perfect for weaker gal's arms like mine!) compared to f2.8L, :thumbsup:fits nicely into my small camera bag.

Sharp :thumbsup: .

But I do find the IS mechanism a bit noisy though. :sweat: It continues even sometime after your last shot!

 

[yehosaphat]

happened to loan from someone who owns it in CS sometime back when it was 1st out.

Slim and lighter (perfect for weaker gal's arms like mine!) compared to f2.8L, :thumbsup:fits nicely into my small camera bag.

Sharp :thumbsup: .

But I do find the IS mechanism a bit noisy though. :sweat: It continues even sometime after your last shot!

Hmm.... is f4's IS the same as 2.8L's IS mechanism? I believe they say it is an improved version right? But I dun notice the sound made by 2.8'd IS mech...

 

[SQ123]

Hmm.... is f4's IS the same as 2.8L's IS mechanism? I believe they say it is an improved version right? But I dun notice the sound made by 2.8'd IS mech...

I believe this f4 version comes with 4-stops IS, as compared to the younger generations? :dunno:

or maybe I'm just too sensitive to the noise? :sweatsm:

 

[yehosaphat]

I believe this f4 version comes with 4-stops IS, as compared to the younger generations? :dunno:

or maybe I'm just too sensitive to the noise? :sweatsm:

Yup it is a 4-stop IS. But the IS is louder is it...

 

[mamangrock]

Say is d F/4 IS version better than d F/2.8 non IS ??? Just wondering :think:

 

[mamangrock]

Say is d F/4 IS version better than d F/2.8 non IS ??? Like sharper image or etc. Just wondering :think:

 

[SQ123]

Yup it is a 4-stop IS. But the IS is louder is it...

I'm not sure if it's louder or not, never did any comparison :sweat: .

But the last time I had my hands on the f4L, I thought the spin stop sound ( or whatever technical term it's called:think: , at least it sounds like a spin stop sound to me ;p ) a few seconds after the shots were a bit disturbing. Especially if you want to take pictures in an quiet environment.

or maybe I'm really just oversensitive :sweatsm:

Anyone who has both lens can share experiences on this?

but I guess it's the quality of the pictures that counts. the IS mechanism noise is secondary in importance, yah?
Unless you do not want to annoy the people/animals around you while taking pictures in a quiet environment lah! LOL :sweatsm:

 

[nkhoo]

Hey, did anyone try the back focus test on the lens?? I did a few shots, handheld, at 200mm with a 400D and found that the 10mm mark was sharper than the line that was suppose to be in focus... Does it mean that the lens is back focusing on my cam or is there any other better way to test?

 

[Zplus]

Hey, did anyone try the back focus test on the lens?? I did a few shots, handheld, at 200mm with a 400D and found that the 10mm mark was sharper than the line that was suppose to be in focus... Does it mean that the lens is back focusing on my cam or is there any other better way to test?

Ask and it shall be given!
All you'll ever need for testing focus!
http://www.canon-dslr.com/Canon_Jan05/Canon_SLR_Focus_Test.htm

Simple one:
http://photo.net/learn/focustest/

Canon service center has a bigger target for focus testing. Its basically a big vertical bar of black on a white metal plate.

 

[yehosaphat]

Ask and it shall be given!
All you'll ever need for testing focus!
http://www.canon-dslr.com/Canon_Jan05/Canon_SLR_Focus_Test.htm

Simple one:
http://photo.net/learn/focustest/

Canon service center has a bigger target for focus testing. Its basically a big vertical bar of black on a white metal plate.

Thanks for the links... but dun expect to do that when you are buying lenses! So by the time you tested them back at home... too late :sweat: