Which 70-200mm...?

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THE-BIG-MAN-SAYS

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Stevie
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Which 70-200mm...?

I am purchasing a Canon 50D tomorrow...and am buying a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8...but also want a 70-200mm...so here goes...


Ok this would be the ideal lens...but twice the cost...so just here for comparison sake...
-Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM Lens (non-IS)


These are the real choices:

-Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM Lens (non-IS)
http://www.onestop-digital.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=24_26&products_id=83

OR

-Tamron SP AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro Lens for Canon
http://www.onestop-digital.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=24_29&products_id=465

OR

-Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO MACRO HSM Lens
http://www.onestop-digital.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=24_28&products_id=45


They are all comparitively priced...so...does anyone out there have good or bad tales to tell...fore-warnings...or recommendations...

I may as well say that from this bunch...although it is f4...the L Glass of the Canon would be my favoured choice...but if you think that I am DAFT...or...BRILLIANT...tell me...

Again...as usual...THANKS to all who throw their tuppence-worth in...


STEVIER
 
Sure...not much in it though...but I am off to visit Kerso Tomorrow for the Camera...

More into the actual lens performances than the prices here...

STEVIER
 
I had the canon f4 and it was a brilliant lens, nice and lightweight and very sharp. I only swapped it for the 2.8 version which is a heavy old lump! but worth its weight.

The Tamron apparently is quite slow to focus and if its anything like my tamron 180 macro it will be slow.

No idea about the sigma to be honest.

Out of those 3 it would be the canon f4 every time.
 
Ive been looking at these myself and not got one just yet but ive decided on the Canon with it being a L glass and i thought seemed best alround from what ive read "not tried them though myself" the Tamron was better than the Sigma optically yet its slower focusing and the the Sigmas in general have bit of a mixed quality about them :thinking:

So id go and will do eventually for the Canon 70-200 F4 L id like the Canon 2.8 but i can't really buy the F4 just this min so 2.8 is defintely not a option for me this min :lol:
 
I've had the F4L IS and the F2.8 non-IS. Both brilliantly sharp right across the frame, both brilliantly fast focusing, and both horribly white! IS is very good indeed.

At F4 the subject isolation is limited (especially on a crop body). For that reason, the F2.8 is worth the extra weight and lack of IS for me personally, it is simply awesome.
 
Thanks guys...been thinking about picking up the Canon from Kerso tomorrow...bit I might just wait Xmas & Birthday not too far away...and get the f2.8...!!!

STEVIER
 
THE-BIG-MAN-SAYS said:
Thanks guys...been thinking about picking up the Canon from Kerso tomorrow...bit I might just wait Xmas & Birthday not too far away...and get the f2.8...!!!

STEVIER
Click to expand...

Personally I would go for the f4 with IS, unless you absolutely have to have the wider aperture.
 
...or the f4 with IS...

I am afraid its just a wee bit dear just now...unless the numbers come up on Wednesday...or Fridays...or Saturday...or Wed..........................

STEVIER
 
Definitely recommend f4 with IS, I am getting mine from HK in Jan. £700 brand new :D
 
F4 is good, but I really got spoilt by 80-200 and 200mm f/2.8 and the difference is obvious. Subject isolation and bokeh are massively nicer at f/2.8 and the sharpness is outstanding. Needless to say I will be upgrading back to f/2.8 when I can afford it.

The above is valid for Canon, I couldn't say the same about the brand new Sigma I tested.

IS would really help at f/4. It is the best lens in the range for travelling and landscapes.
 
My 70-200 f/4 never fails to impress me when used in anger.

For portrait work with lights it's stunning.
 
THE-BIG-MAN-SAYS said:
Which 70-200mm...?
Click to expand...

What are your requirements? Which features of a lens in this focal length are more important to you e.g. AF speed, maximum aperture, brand perception, weight, etc?

Knowing what needs you have to fulfill should make choosing the right lens for you much easier. All you're getting otherwise, is other people's opinions on what might be the better choice for them.
 
I have had the canon f4 and it is a superb lens but I would try and get the IS version or the f2.8
 
All of the Canon 70-200's are very good, its just a matter of choosing which features you need and matching it to your pocket.

I don't know why there are always so many "is the Canon 70-200 good?" threads on here.
 
I had a 70-200 F4L (non IS) and it was an awesome lens. The quality just blew me away. I sold it in the end though because I bought a 100-400L and the 70-200 never got used :*( It did hurt to get rid of it.
 
I've got three at the moment (which will become one in the next two weeks! as I'm upgrading)

I have the Canon f4, the Sigma f2.8 and the Canon f2.8 IS

The Canon f4 is quite light compared to the 2.8s and is an absolute joy to use. Sharp as a tack. The only reason I'll sell it is to get f2.8 for the wedding work.

The Sigma has been my mainstay for the last two years and I honestly can't fault it either. It's a good handling lens, focus is reliable but not quite as quick as the Canon 2.8IS

The Canon 2.8 IS is a tank of a lens. Rather heavy but focus is lightning quick and the quality is superb.

I have tested them all on a tripod and looked at the 100% crops at f4 (level playing field. I found the colour rendition a little better on the f4 compared to the Sigma but then the Sigma still has more to offer at f2.8.

So it really depends what you want to use it for and how deep your pockets are. If f4 is adequate then the Canon f4 is one really sharp bit of kit. If you need f2.8, the Sigma is a good budget option and if you want the best there is then the f2.8IS is the daddy!
 
AliB said:
So it really depends what you want to use it for and how deep your pockets are.
Click to expand...

Is there anyway the forum could have this as an auto-reply for every "which lens" thread, it would save a lot of time & bandwidth :)
 
2.8 2.8 2.8, I love this lens, it's a tank, highly conspicuous, and you'll be a liitle jelous whenever you see the f4 on a camera because it's so much smaller

But the extra seperation you get on the 2.8 is worth the extra weight and expense - if it's a choice I'd give up the image stabalisation on the f4 and go for the 2.8 without IS, if you can spare the cash get the 2.8is - it won't leave you wanting more - let's face it you will trade up eventually - why not just get it now and not lose those shots
 
70-200 IS my favourite lens, if you need faster the 2-8 non IS is the cheaper option, so say the sharpest of all.
 
OK.......

I went to pick up my 50d from Kelso today...and instead of the nifty fifty......

You may guess what I am about to say here...I got a 70-200 l f4...non IS...but looks like it will be awsome...

Results to be posted...


STEVIER
 
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