Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM Lens Question

[ACTURY]

I am shooting Canon Rebel XS. A friend of mine is trying to cut me a really good deal on this lens.

I am new to photography, not sure what purpose this lens will serve.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Regards

 

[AlexColeman]

I don't really get what you are asking, if you are asking what you can photograph with the lens, it is a telephoto, for taking shots of long distance objects.

 

[Overread19 7]

Its avery fine lens and a lot of people use the 70-200mm focal range - however if you have no use for a lens then no matter how good it is its not worth getting!

You say your friend is trying to cut you a good deal on this lens - so I am assuming that it is not a lens that he owns and thus it might not be possible for you to try out the lens in person. If this is the case then try getting to a local photography store - the 70-200mm is a popular and affordable lens so its a good change that a store might have one in stock which you can try out in the store. Getting a feel for the focal range is important and might give you ideas for its use.
I know its used all over the place - weddings, street, walkabout, studio, wildilfe in zoos (hey some of us do! ) so the focal length is very versatile.

 

[Buszaj]

As long as the lens is in good condition and you're sure about the deal, go for it. Its definitely a good lens, great for outdoor sports, portraiture, some wildlife; just to mention a few.

 

[Dao]

The EF 70-200mm f/4L is one of the great lens. To see some real life example, you can go to flickr.com and search for "ef 70-200mm f/4L". You will see what photographs other people took with their EF 70-200mm F/4L lens.

Also, the Canon "L" lens usually holds it value. If I were you, and have enough money to buy it, I will do it. Chances are even if you do not have much use of it, you can sell it back on the used market.

 

[ACTURY]

Sorry...I should have mentioned what I was interested in shooting. I spend a lot of time at Car Races, sporting events, and photographing outdooors.

Thanks

 

[Overread19 7]

fiddly then - its not really the best focal length for such subjects - a 300mm f4 prime would be a better target - an f2.8 if your really really keen and can find the cash for one - the faster aperture is worth the investment, but its a lens which is outside many peoples reach. The f4 300mm is more affordable and a very fine and fast lens.

The 70-200mm is a bit of quandry - I use one and my main interest is wildlife - where requirements on kit are almost the same as for sports and racing - and my 70-200m is too short for outside work - at least for getting in close - unless you use hides to very good effect to get close. Mine sees most use in zoos and such where getting close is not a problem and the range of sizes of animal and distances from them favour a zoom construction. However its not my complete kit - in time I hope to be able to add a 300mm f2.8 to my setup for longer work