Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 USM L - IS or no IS?

B

Bradlo

Messages
4
Name
Bradley
Edit My Images
No
Hey, im finally plucking up the courage to buy my first L Series lens this weekend online (Eeeek!)
The lens in question is the 70-200mm f/2.8 however, my question to those that have used these lenses is this:

Given the fact i would be using the lens mainly for motorsports and paintball photography (Along with other sports), what would you recommend. The IS version of the lens, or none IS version? I may use the lens for the odd portrait work also. (I'll link to the two lenses im looking at purchasing second hand, price doesn't vary that much, below.)

I've googled this and had so many different varying results. Some people say that the lens isnt capable of panning and tracking subjects with IS, some saying the IS is a necessity, some saying its not need because the f/2.8 is so fast, some saying that they preferred the none IS over the IS and vice versa!

It would be used on a 7D body - and im not concerned about the weight that everyone keeps talking about.

IS Lens on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320804765...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648#ht_4631wt_1234

None IS Lens on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220905271...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648#ht_4613wt_1234

Cheers!
 
I love my non-IS but I would love it to be weathersealed. Both Mk1 & Mk2 IS models are. That might help with the decision.

Also, people bitch and moan about the Mk1 IS being soft but back when there was no Mk2 I'm pretty sure it was considered the dog's whatsits!
 
Last edited:
rssmrry said:
I love my non-IS but I would love it to be weathersealed. Both Mk1 & Mk2 IS models are. That might help with the decision.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, do you have much trouble with quality @ full extension on the Non IS? This is another factor in the argument for it.

The price is a little nicer on the non IS so would prefer that for that reason, but if theres a real problem with the full extension quality then i may have to reconsider!
 
What you mean image quality at 200mm f/2.8 I'll see if I can find you a few photos that meet that criteria. Two ticks!
 
Sorry for the delay, I have a couple of really sharp photos of my dog running recently, but I can't find them on any hard drives at the moment (reinstalled my OS twice this summer so it'll be there somewhere but I can't find it just now!).

I can guarantee that this was taken at 200mm f/2.8
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rssmrry/6482818393/sizes/z/in/photostream/

I'll keep looking cos this is going to annoy me!

Bah didn't find them but discovered I could get exif by downloading and viewing properties
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rssmrry/5880965601/sizes/z/in/photostream/ 200mm @ f/3.5
 
Last edited:
Ok, not to worry, great shot of the duck! This is really helping me so far! Thanks :)
 
Thanks it's a superb lens great AF speed and I've never really missed the IS personally, but I wouldn't mind it being weather sealed (especially given the recent weather!)
 
Cheers, thanks for your help! Anyone else got any opinions on these lenses?
 
rssmrry said:
Sorry for the delay, I have a couple of really sharp photos of my dog running recently, but I can't find them on any hard drives at the moment (reinstalled my OS twice this summer so it'll be there somewhere but I can't find it just now!).

I can guarantee that these are taken at 200mm f/2.8
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rssmrry/5851999071/sizes/z/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rssmrry/6482818393/sizes/z/in/photostream/

I'll keep looking cos this is going to annoy me!

Bah didn't find them but discovered I could get exif by downloading and viewing properties
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rssmrry/5880965601/sizes/z/in/photostream/ 200mm @ f/3.5
Click to expand...


The duck is f/4.

Still a good shot though.
 
Yeah, for the benefits of the IS and weather sealing I'd go for the IS version.

Might not be quite as sharp as the non-is, but as mentioned it always did the job before the mkii.

I upgraded to the mkii and whilst there is a noticeable difference, it's not massively significant. I'd personally always go for the best version I could afford though otherwise you may regret it later on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top