canon 70-200 options

[davidd]

Morning folks...

I have, for an age fancied a canon 70-200 2.8 IS... Mainly for fast moving stuff (animals, cars, children etc) outside and the odd event indoors like Childrens assemblies etc.

The mkII is canon version is nearly £2k, if I forgo is then it is about half, or I can look at sigma..

http://www.carmarthencameras.co.uk/product.php/316...

Which seems to be a lot less, and has IS...

I am a wobbly so and so but this will be going on an 5d3 so I can shove the iso up and generally have decent shutter speed..

I would appreciate thoughts from you lot.

cheers

D

[dibbly dobbler]

I would stick with Canon if I was you - whack the iso up and don't worry about the IS. The non- IS is lighter isn't it do that could be regarded as a plus point

Or look for second hand I suppose ?

[dibbly dobbler]

Or try pixel_uk - they have one for around £1500 new I believe. I used them recently - no problems

[MikeGTi]

The 2.8 with IS weighs a ton.

[DavidCane]

The 2.8 IS does weigh a lot. If you're carrying it around all day you will feel the weight.

The F4 is supposed to be a lot lighter, but I haven't used one so don't know how much better that feels in real use.

[richcorsavxr]

i would look on ebay, theres usually some second hand bargins to be had

[LongQ]

The differences in the Canon lenses are not just whether the lens has IS or not. The optics are different too. The f2.8 IS II is a stunning lens. Rent one and give it a thrashing and you will see what I mean.

Yes, it is expensive but you can get deals and it is likely to hold its value quite well for some time.

Yes it is heavy, comparatively, and looks quite large when the hood is fitted. But you get used to the weight quite quickly and the solid feel it gives in return is worth it. In fact the inertia resulting from the weight, especially when teamed with a balancing body - say 5D with a grip attached - makes for a much better shooting experience. However don't expect to walk around all day with it hanging from a neck strap and taking the odd shot or two! If you are really working with it you'll be mostly holding it and that won't be a problem. If you are mainly carrying it and using a few times then invest in a carrying system that will work for you - a bag, case, belt, straps - whatever it takes.

Add an extender or two to the mix and you have a pretty comprehensive set of telephoto zoom options with IS and full f5.6 sensitive AF sensitivity.

If you are into anonymous street shooting - maybe give it a miss. It would be an excellent tool but it's not exactly invisible for stealth operations. I'm not sure even camouflage would help!

[davidd]

A good set of responses here, thanks. What about the optics on a new non is version?

Cheers

D

[dibbly dobbler]

£1599 actually - see here linky

[Podie]

DavidCane said:

The 2.8 IS does weigh a lot. If you're carrying it around all day you will feel the weight.

The F4 is supposed to be a lot lighter, but I haven't used one so don't know how much better that feels in real use.

It is heavy, but you get used to it. I found having a x0D with a battery grip helped to balance it out.

[gjc10212]

£1465.00 here:

http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/canon-ef-70-200mm-f28...

[MonkeyHanger]

MikeGTi said:

The 2.8 with IS weighs a ton.

Strange. When my 2.8IS II arrived i was sure they'd sent the wrong lens until i opened the box. It's nowhere near as heavy as a lot of people claim.

I bought mine from Kerso at flashcamera.co.uk for just under £1500

[Podie]

Nice to hear Kerso is still going.

[LongQ]

davidd said:

I am a wobbly so and so but this will be going on an 5d3 so I can shove the iso up and generally have decent shutter speed..

It's probably worth mentioning that the f2.8 IS II comes with a tripod/monopod mount ring so you have some options if hand holding does not appeal in some situations. That said I use mine as a grip that helps to counteract a tendency to slip into being a degree or so rotated anticlockwise when shooting hand held.

[davidd]

gjc10212 said:

£1465.00 here:

http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/canon-ef-70-200mm-f28...

Blimey, that is tempting... Are these folks alright to deal with? Anyone got any experiences?

[tim-b]

davidd said:

....or I can look at sigma..

http://www.carmarthencameras.co.uk/product.php/316...

Which seems to be a lot less, and has IS...

That lens doesn't have IS, it's the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 EX DG OS HSM that does (the OS denotes this) which comes in at around £900 according to camerpricebuster.co.uk.

I have the one you posted though, it's a great lens for the price.

[dibbly dobbler]

davidd said:

gjc10212 said:

£1465.00 here:

http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/canon-ef-70-200mm-f28...

Blimey, that is tempting... Are these folks alright to deal with? Anyone got any experiences?

I think they are the same lot as pixel_uk which I referred to above - on that basis they should be fine.

See here linky

[IrateNinja]

MonkeyHanger said:

Strange. When my 2.8IS II arrived i was sure they'd sent the wrong lens until i opened the box. It's nowhere near as heavy as a lot of people claim.

I bought mine from Kerso at flashcamera.co.uk for just under £1500

I got a 60D and Tokina 11-16mm from Kerso at the tail end of last year, no complaints with his service here!

[gjc10212]

davidd said:

Blimey, that is tempting... Are these folks alright to deal with? Anyone got any experiences?

Yes they are fine, a few chaps over on AVforums have positive feedback with them.

FlashCamera is another great site.

[5hero]

+1 for Kerso! Great guy to deal with. I was cautious at first due to spending over £5k with him (included a MKII 70-200 f2.8), but really cannot fault him for service. It's better to contact him direct to avoid eBay fees, I'll pass you his email address later if you like?

As for cheap ones on eBay, they are probably the ones that were nicked from my house when it was burgled