Anyone used this lense

[mystictonka]

I am looking at getting the Ef70-200 f4 L lense, has anyone used this lense

[zan]

Yup, I've got the IS version and it's fast becoming one of my favourite lenses! I work on fishing boats quite a lot, and was finding that the 300mm lens was too long to get decent shots as the birds came in close. The 70-200 is ideal for that, and very nice for (relatively far-away) landscapes too. The image quality is absolutely spot-on and the focus (even on a 400d) will track swooping birds no problem.

[GerryNick2]

Originally Posted by mystictonka

I am looking at getting the Ef70-200 f4 L lense, has anyone used this lense

A very nice lens and one of Canons best value lenses producing superb images. A good walk about lens and given the build quality quite light at 705g.
A good all purpose lense and suitable for general wildlife photography, but for smaller subjects you really need to be looking at 400mm. Will take a x1.4 extender without loss of AF. which will give you a max.280mm focal length.

Traded mine in on the new version with 4 stop image stabilization, image quality identical but the IS gives greater flexibility. The IS comes at a cost though approx. £280 if my memory serves me right.

If you don't see a need for IS or budget is restrictive and the focal length meets your needs then go for the EF 70-200 f4 L USM model, you won't be disapointed.

Gerry

Gerry

[Rob Jones]

I have the same lens only the F2.8 IS. Personally If you're not buying an IS lense I would go for the Sigma 50-500 because you have a longer and shorter focal range for a one F stop sacrifice.

Again a personal opinion if you stick 1.4xTC on the 70-200 giving you 280mm you lose an F stop so it becomes a f5.6. Put a 2xTC it becomes an f8 at 300mm, this is not the best option.
I recently shot some Deer using the F2.8 IS 70-200mm with a x1.4 and x2 TC's together in bright conditions with a fast shutter speed and they were terrible quality wise.

However if 200mm is all you need then it's a smashing lense.

[zan]

I agree that 200mm may be a bit short for a lot of wildlife but it depends what you shoot. You also shouldn't get a huge drop in quality with a teleconverter - there will be some, but it shouldn't be huge. However if you use a 2x converter on the f4 version (giving you effectively an f8 lens), you'll lose autofocus which is worth bearing in mind.

[Mumby]

I've got the 70-200 F4 L IS and as everyone says it is very good, but you do miss those extra millimeters sometimes. Image quality is fantastic though, and it has encourage me to take more pictures of subjects that I would not previously have thought of, so that's got to be good.

Paul

[RickClick]

I was in Tampa, Florida last week at the Professional Photographers or America annual trade show and stopped by the Tamron booth. They have introduced a new image stabilization lens which might meet your needs. It is the AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC (Vibration Compensation) lens. US prices is in the $600 range. I got a chance to use it on a Canon and it was exceptionally sharp and very well made. Tamron also introduced a new 70-200 f2.8 for under $700. This lens is compact and very light. Both lenses should be shipping soon.

I hope this information is useful.

Rick

[mystictonka]

Thanks for the replies guys, im afetr a high end walk around lense & this seems to fit the bill happily. I did look at the sigma 100-300 but I have had problems with sigma in the past & once bitten twice shy so I now stick to canon

[beckiscott]

ive got the 70-200 f4 (non is) and its great.
im finding im using it more than my 100-400 IS when out and about.

i managed to get the 70-200 with cashback & it only cost £280! to me it was an absolute bargain and i wouldnt be without it!

if you dont need 300mm + length and are on a small budget then i cant recommend it enough!

[mystictonka]

I think I will go for the 70-200, already have a 400 & 500 lense, thanks for everyones opinion