Canon 70-200mm F4 L USM :: Should I buy?

cbay

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Hey All!

Well I am planning on purchasing the Canon 70-200mm F4 L USM Lens tomorrow to add to me gear, I would love see example pics and opinions on this lens if possible. Does anyone use or own one of these lenses?
 
It will seem amazing when you first get it but later on down the line you will regret not getting the 2.8, not too put a downer on the lens or anything.
 
Have you considered the Sigma lens? I know that the Sigma 70-200 F2.8 is much cheaper than the Canon 70-200 F2.8. I don't know if it's cheaper than the F4 version though...probably not.

I agree with Will, that 2.8 would come in very handy....epsecially for sports.
 
I hear its a great lens. Unfortunately, people can't help but compare it to its f2.8 siblings which are often touted as one of Canon's best zooms. As such, it often gets a bum rap. In my opinion, the 70-200mm f4 L lens serves a different purpose in the Canon line up. Its about 1/2 the weight of the f2.8, its shorter in length, thus a better walk around lens. Lets not forget it is significantly cheaper too. Short of its smaller max aperature, its Image quality is known to be excellent.

Everyone always states that you ~need~ those extra stops the f2.8 gives yah... its really up to you to decide. If indoor or low light sports is what you need to shoot... then plan on spending the cash.. tough situation needs the proper equipment. Hell.. I'd rather go with a longer and faster prime for those times. Now I think about it, 200mm is really not enough for a lot of indoor sports anyways. If you need a general, all purpose, practical lens, don't see why you should not get the f4 lens. I have a 70-200 f2.8 USM IS lens... I absolutely love it.. There are times that I wish I had the f4 lens instead.. especially after walking all day lugging around a heavy bag.
 
i use the 70-200f4L and dont regret not having bought the 2.8.. love it!
lots of advantages of the 4 over the 2.8 plus my pocket didnt allow it and i'd rather spend the extra cash towards a wide
slightly late for class will post pics later on in the day (when im bored in class :lol:)
cya and goodluck...
 
Consider this....
The price difference puts you 1/3 to a 24-105 f4 USM IS L. Another great walk around lens that compliments the 70-200 f4 quite nicely and a step up from your 28-105mm. Its another lens that is often compared to its f2.8 cousin but it too has somewhat a different purpose.
 
ok here goes.. i am bored in class :mrgreen: ...
posting a few pics you may have seen around here (from what i already have uploaded)... hope it helps

50237437_3d953d4d7a_o.jpg


92116249_4111666649_o.jpg


50226732_0c29fc8cc6_o.jpg



mansi
 
I use the f2.8 version and love it.
Bear in mind that the UK is often overcast and the extra stop can and often does make a difference.
My only regret is that i didn't get the lens with IS

Chaffinch.jpg


goldeneagle.jpg


Both these shots were taken with a Canon 20D and 20-200 f2.8 L USM lens at 200mm.
 
Look at any telephoto shot on my website, and it's taken with that lens. It is a great lens, despite any of the drawback's mentioned. It does serve it's own purpose, and if you can't afford a faster lens, then you buy this one.

Losing a stop to it's cousin the 2.8 is not really a big deal. Not having IS is.
 
nicely put Matt! yeah loosing a stop is no biggie...


Nice Pics, What camera did you use to take these with using the F4 lens?
same as yours.. the 350d... then again i havent put the lens to its fullest use... restricts me while shooting street... good for birdies and animals and sometimes portraits... so now i need a wide... but then the freakin crop factor! :(
anyway back on topic... it is an awesome lens... have heard on focus issues if you shoot AF... i shoot manual all the way so it hasnt really bothered me...
 
Well! Thanks Digital Matt & Mansi your advice has been brillant. I have just purchased my the 70-200mm F4L Lens and it comes tomoz i cant wait! :D Hopefully it be better than what everyone has said. :D Pro Lens here i come! :p
 
cbay, it's a great lens. I had it for about 7 months before trading it in for a 100-400mm. Performs well in good lighting even in low light it's not too bad, but can hunt. AF is quick, light weight and compact easily hand holdable. USM is a jewl and sharp images to boot. If you mostly shoot outdoors it's a great lens to have in your bag. It's always beneficial to have a faster lens and IS but you will pay the price! If I had the money I would've kept mine but had to sell it to pay for the 100-400mm L.

here's some pics I took when I had it.
Using Canon Digital Rebel XT
http://www.monzoncreative.com/geese01.jpg
http://img400.imageshack.us/img400/7366/gull17sg.jpg
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/3189/bird58sd.jpg
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/9941/duck18kn.jpg
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/5379/duck28ox.jpg
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/9690/duckframe1gv.jpg


With 1.4 Kenko TC in low light
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/9507/bird77eh.jpg
http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/637/bird93mf.jpg
http://img333.imageshack.us/img333/7779/blackcap10xi.jpg
http://img333.imageshack.us/img333/5062/blackcap24xv.jpg
http://img304.imageshack.us/img304/334/duck35sq.jpg
http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/7531/mallard15cy.jpg
http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/139/bird39lh.jpg

late evening almost no available light with on board flash ISO 1600 my only Heron capture
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/9932/heron17lq.jpg


Some bball pics from the gold seats, most are crops using 800-1600 ISO
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/9941/nj0tq.jpg
http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/762/raptor19eh.jpg
http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/8338/raptor29vx.jpg
http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/8678/raptor36xw.jpg
http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/381/raptor45br.jpg
http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/4921/raptor61qc.jpg
http://img461.imageshack.us/img461/491/raptor81rn.jpg
http://www.monzoncreations.com/ratpack2.gif
http://www.monzoncreations.com/ratpack4.gif


crop of the moon
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/2677/moon27ez.jpg

Last but not least with Kenko pro DG extension tube Kit (all stacked 68mm)
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/6862/lbug1nf.jpg
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/2383/caterp017hb.jpg
http://img278.imageshack.us/img278/2605/orbweaver38br.jpg
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/8095/spider15sg.jpg
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/5721/insect25pa.jpg
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/6254/grasshopper5yu.jpg
http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/3234/wasp2if.jpg




Hope that helps :) It's a beautiful lens!!!
 

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