Canon 70-200 f2.8 L USM

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Gents,

I shoot sports and I am looking at the 70-200 f2.8 L USM.

I can't afford the latest greatest II IS version and with the shutter speeds I use for action, IS would not be beneficial.

Has Canon changed the optics of the non-IS 70-200 f2.8 since its introduction? I am looking at getting one second hand and hope that it's not a lemon of a lens!

It'll be mounted on a 1D MKiii if that alters the advice in anyway.

Thanks,
Chris

[RobDickinson]

I had one until recently.

Optics are fine.

Better than the mk1 IS, not as good as the mk2.

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RobDickinson said:

I had one until recently.

Optics are fine.

Better than the mk1 IS, not as good as the mk2.

Sweet - thanks Rob. That's all I need to know!

[theboss]

Do you need the versatility of zoom? Just thinking if you are into sports and shoot mostly at the long end of that lens then it might be worth looking at the 200mm f/2.8L II USM prime which will be cheaper, substantially lighter, optically better etc. It strikes me as a lot of lens for the money.

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theboss said:

Do you need the versatility of zoom? Just thinking if you are into sports and shoot mostly at the long end of that lens then it might be worth looking at the 200mm f/2.8L II USM prime which will be cheaper, substantially lighter, optically better etc. It strikes me as a lot of lens for the money.

Thanks - I already use the 200mm f2.8 USM II but the lack of zoom is very frustrating as when action gets too close it's a nightmare.

Also - I have been a little disappointed with the optical quality of the 200mm at 2.8, at 5.6 onward it's very sharp but as the aperture opens up - I am not convinced.

[Craikeybaby]

It is a great lens, especially on a 1.3x cropped sensor.

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Craikeybaby said:

It is a great lens, especially on a 1.3x cropped sensor.

Thanks Craikeybaby - It arrives Monday 16th April - I'm looking forward to it!