canon ef 70-200mm f4 L

[stevenD]

sorry never shot that one, but based on the number of used ones being sold over on Fred Miranda and the fact that I have the 70-200L 2.8 IS,

I would vote for NOt getting the F4 version, remember:

"The Cost only Hurts Once"

after that you are enjoying the best.

PS: All of Andy mcFarland's outdoor shots are with a 70-200 2.8 Lens 9not sure if it is a IS version though)

[jimmyd]

[ QUOTE ]
Better yet, look at the 135mm f2.0 L lens.. it's one of my favorite lenses in my bag..

[/ QUOTE ]

hmmm.... my 135mm *was* my fave amongst my FD lenses.... you might have a a good idea there.

[Fish]

70-200 f2.8L (EOS 10D, ISO 200, 1/180s, f/5.6 at 98mm)

I don't know why this happened, but the period at the end of the link: http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/eosfaq/eos3af.html on my original post seems to have prevented the page from coming up.

I probably should have used the URL code included with this forum rather than just typing the link in. Boring stuff, but may be of interest to Canon shooters. Anyway, if you are interested and had trouble with my original link try clicking here Bob Atkins Page with High Precision Auto Focus information .

John

[jimmyd]

okay, i'm shooting with a canon 20d and i always have it set to only use the center focus point. if i'm reading what you wrote right, i'd be okay shooting the f4 cuz the 20d DOES have a high precision focus point (if its set to the center focus point) right?

but the 20d does still have the undersized sensor, so will that make a difference?

[Fish]

70-200 f2.8 (82mm, f4.5, 1/640 sec., ISO 100)

The center focus point on the 20D only operates in the high precision mode (auto focus to 1/3 the depth of field) with f2.8 lenses or faster. The 1 series cameras offer high precision with the center focus point for 4.0 lenses and faster (including extenders). All this said, I have shot forever with a 10D (which has no high precision focus point) and the f2.8 70-200 and have been thrilled with the results. In fact, I shoot a lot with a consumer 24-85 f3.5-4.5 zoom and for the most part have been happy with the results.

Jimmy, everyone I've spoken to who has used the f4.0L 70-200 zoom has reported excellent results. I've never used the lens, but I doubt you'd be unhappy given the normal use you have for the lens. It is quite a bit lighter than the 2.8 version (half the weight) and takes a 67mm filter rather than 77mm, so polarizers will also be cheaper. Canon now offers a complete series of value priced 4.0L zooms. These include the 17-40 f4L, the new 24-105 f4L, and the 70-200 f4L.

John

[jimmyd]

thanks, fish. i'm pretty sure i won't need to put an extender on it as i have no plans to shoot sports or wildlife or such. going past 200mm in focal length doesn't happen much in glamour photography... at least the kind of glam photos i shoot.

but then, JP suggested the 135mm f2 L and now i have my eye on that one as, when i was still shooting film with an earlier (FD lens using) canon, my favorite lens was my 135mm portrait lens.

decisions decisions...

ya know, i have the 85mm consumer f1.8 and i gotta say, that's a fairly sweet lens as well. but i'm already thinking i'm gonna buy a 5d when it comes out and i know i'm gonna want to upgrade to L glass when i buy that... but then there's that harley i want to buy and... uhhh... sheesh.... so much stuff i want, so little money left over from paying for just living.... plus i just bought the new sony HD video camera to the tune of $5K... plus a bunch more lighting and grip that i'm always buying. i need a sugar momma with a fat bank account!!! yeah! that's what i need.

[Fish]

85mm f1.8, Angela Price, Virginia Key (ISO 100, 1/2500s, f4.0)

Jimmy, as many know, you could have welded an 85 f1.8 on my film bodies and I would have perfectly happy. I probably shot 90% of all my work with that 85 (and by the way, most of us think the 85 f1.8 is Canon's best version of that lens. The f1.2L is so heavy the auto focus is as slow as molassas). The 85 f1.8 is so sharp it's silly, it just tends to be a little long for full lengths in a studio on a camera with a small sensor.

God Bless Canon, and God Bless the 5D! I can't wait!

Fish