Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS (or Non-IS) USM vs 70-200 f4 IS USM
 

Ok, I am not too sure which one to get and the rebates ends 7/11/2009.

here are the prices I can get for them, after rebates, 8% cashbacks, 8% coupons and what nots.

All in USD.

70-200mm f2.8 IS USM - $1400 shipped (would love this, but the weight AND price is holding me back)
70-200mm f2.8 non IS USM - $1150 shipped (thinking if this would be fast enough to cover the loss of IS for f4)

70-200 f4 IS USM - $1050 shipped. (current preference)

I am pretty sure that I would be using 70-200mm for outdoor shoot (a walk in the park shoot) 90% of the time. Sometimes, I am likely to do some shoots in the gym or pretty decent-lit interiors. So, my preference is to have an IS model.

But, I was testing the 70-200mm f2.8 non-IS at a shop just last weekend, and found out that, with the wider aperture at f2.8, I am able to shoot pretty sharp images at the mall (decent lighting) at 1/60 speed. (and its heavy!! and the f2.8 IS version is roughly another 0.5lb heavier?) So, i began to think if the f2.8 would compensate enough for the IS model of f4...

So, I guess my question is to those who have experience with the above glasses, what are your thoughts and experience? I know ALL of them are GREAT lens, but I am not sure if I want to shell out $1400 or just $1000-1100...

The f4 is sharper than the f2.8, and the non-IS versions are sharper around the edges, as the IS changes the optical path of the light as it works. Turn off the IS, and they should be the same.

those are new prices? thats damn good for a 2.8L IS

+1

Thats cheaper than most of the used prices by $300

What store are you getting these quotes from? reputable I hope?

I am really concerned in "gym" photoshoot, where I'd need reatively fast lens, and I am not sure if f4 is fast enough..


what do you mean new prices?

I found these prices on ebay, and the f4 IS price is $1025 shipped from B&H in New York, one of the largest distributor/store in the US.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...CA702004LIS&Q=


I only buy from reputable sources, for sure, for I am afraid of warranty and quality issue. :)

Right now, the more reviews I am reading, the more I am leaning toward the f4 IS, which is both more economical + lighter weight, light enough for me to carry around.

f2.8 IS is literally twice as heavy as the f4 IS... :(

What body are you gonna be using this lens with? If you camera can handle higher ISO pretty well, then I would go with the F4. I'd actually go with the F4 either way. Cheaper, lighter, sharper.

where you getting 8% cashback? I've only seen 3 so far.

new as in brand new lens. usually used f2.8 IS runs for 1800 ish...

I have the 70-200 2.8 non-is and it's just as sharp as my 50mm 1.4. It's the sharpest out of the lenses I have and it's a zoom! This is at 2.8 too. No sharpening required in pp.

you said "new price", so I thought there was an old price. Of course. All items I mentioned are sealed, brand new, with 1 year original manufacturers warranty.

$1800 for a USED f2.8 IS?? Thats a lot. Then again, we have rebates from Canon right now, and with all the live.com and sales, $1400-1500 for a brand new f2.8 IS can be obtained quite easily (until 7/12)

I cant find the item that I have been checking. I guess the sale ended. (It was a Powerseller with 10,000+ (99.6%) feedback that sells for $1576 on the f2.8 IS.

This is another one I can find, but has a lot fewer rating (though its 100%)

I attached this picture is to show you the 8% on the top when I check out with Paypal, and another 8% coupon can be applied on my paypal account to claim another $100 off.

http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/7964/16056519.jpg

But worst of worst is, I buy from B&H at $1599 shipped

f2.8 IS glass

This is the link for B&H for f4 IS $1025 shipped ! (1 day shipping as well)

f4 IS lens

are you sure? 50mm f1.4L is pretty sharp.... I dont have that glass (and I should have jumped on it when it was still $325 when my friend bought back in April!!!!) It is now $400... :(

Maybe you guys might want to consider ordering a glass and sent to Seattle and drive down and pick them up.. because I think the US prices are better?

Anyway, right now, I am almost almost almost on the verge of clicking that "add to my cart" at B&H for the $1025 f4 IS one.... especially since the one I have been watching is no longer available ($1300 ish f2.8 IS)

I forgot to quote your message.

I have a 50D.

I usually keep my ISO around 300-400 interior wise, or up to 800 at most... anything higher than that, I find too much noise to my liking.. but i guess it depends which glass I was using and the situation.

err.. cant delete my double post...

ah ok. So far best I've found is 3% cashback with amazon, which means i can get a new d700 for ~2200 USD.

Thats actually a very good deal for D700! I havent been checking Nikon since I switched to Canon.

Try live.com and search on ebay. Usually, you get 8% on ebay.

There are quite a few reputable ebay sellers with legit stores. I got my camera body (50D) on ebay just a couple months ago for only $900 (after my 8% + $100 off coupon) !!!!!!! (also includes 2 tripods, a camera bag)


PS. I have just placed an order on the f4 IS !! I cant wait!!:haha:

Thanks for your input. I hope this lens is as sharp as many people say it is. (I have 10 days to refund too if I dont like it. :) )