Author Topic: Canon 70-200mm F4.0 L (Read 10952 times)

casper · « **on:** February 08, 2009, 09:22:29 AM »

Wondering if anyone owns one of these - could possibly purchase one in the next week or so and was wondering what it's like. I just like the thought of owning an L series lens

Dave · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2009, 10:09:01 AM »

It's ment to be one of the best lens money can buy so it would be well worth it. There are two versions of the f4.0 L lens if I remember rightly. One with, and one without Image Stabiliser and there is a few hundred pounds between the price difference. Most people I talked to said the IS did not warrent the extra money.

Personally I have never used one although I have heard many great things about it so it must be worth a good investment. Insurance might be a good idea for it if you get one.

I found it extremely helpful to look at pictures taken with a lens before taking the plunge so a search on airliners.net (or jetphotos.net) ight help you decide.

http://www.jetphotos.net/showphotos.php?aircraft=-2&airline=-2&country=-2&photog=-2&category=-2&year=-2&keywordrange=all&keywordlimiter=2&keywords=70-200mm&sort=1&genre=1&size=-2&mainsearch=search&displaymode=1&display=15

The difference between your current lens and the 70-200mm would be immense and well worth the cost. A 1.4x teleconvertor (nothing higher such as the x2) will work well with the 70-200mm and most photographers prefer this combination over the 100-400mm.

I also cant remember as to whether the zoom is push or twist however either is easy to live with so should not be a worrry. Good luck with whatever you decide!

casper · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2009, 10:14:44 AM »

Many thanks for the feedback. Never thought of looking on AL.net to see what is possible with it. I'm also looking at
a Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens but as I don't get out that often to shot planes I can't really warrant it. I would shot more portrait so the 70-200mm is a much better choice.

Dave · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2009, 10:30:19 AM »

The Sigma 150-500 is a great lens but is indeed abit limiting. You're wise to think about the type of shots your using shooting. Think of Portrush and the lake photos etc Hopefully the 70mm should be adequate enough for such shots.

Another choice is the Canon 28-300mm L but thats £1400

By the way, flickr is also another option for viewing all types of photos taken with the lens.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/70-200mm/

http://www.flickr.com/groups/24978006@N00/

http://www.flickr.com/groups/canon-l/

I'm not sure if you need to be a flickr member to view them or not but worth a try anyway.

casper · « **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2009, 11:21:57 AM »

Again thanks for the links. Wish I had it today - I have a christening to shot this afternoon.

Angry Turnip · « **Reply #5 on:** February 08, 2009, 02:37:48 PM »

I have a Sigma 170-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG and it is a fantastic lens-only drawback is it is a bit heavy-after a day shooting at an airshow your hand can get a bit sore.

In many ways the weight is useful esp for panning shots at low shutter speeds.I was actually thinking of changing to the 150-500mm model which has a slightly faster autofocus motor than mine.

casper · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2009, 10:54:44 AM »

Oh what do do? I've just come across a Sigma 135-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG Aspherical lens for £369.99

Dave · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2009, 12:43:33 PM »

You'd almost require another lens to cover the lower range up to 135mm if you go for the 135-400mm.

I think the 135-400mm lens might be an older lens having been replaced with the 150-400mm - however I can not be certain about it but a point to investigate.

Personally, despite the fact that I love the longer range lenses, the 70-200mm is a hands down winner for me

Everybody who owns one has not regretted it and is considered the sharpest non prime lens around.

Good luck

Admittedly, I miss the extra 30mm my old 70-300mm lens gave me over my current 100-400mm lens at wide angle. The difference 30mm makes is amazing.

casper · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2009, 12:51:48 PM »

Thanks for that. I'm still edging towards the 70-200mm but keeping seeing others that make me wonder ahhh lol. Wish I had a bottomless wallet

Angry Turnip · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2009, 01:41:37 PM »

Sigma also do a 50-500mm Lens which is well worth considering as it covers pretty much everything.

Retails at approx £750 but you might find a deal or two on it.

Mark · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2009, 10:58:54 PM »

I owned the Sigma 50-500mm lens and as long as you could keep it still, it produced fantastic shots. Its bloody heavy though !!!
I now have the 100-400 L IS and it is a lot lighter and is a lot better. I've considered getting the 70-200 L IS 2.8 , as it's meant to be fantastic, but i am only missing 70-100 in my range of lenses, so it's not a priority.
I use a 24-70 for portrait & a 16-35 for wide

casper · « **Reply #11 on:** February 11, 2009, 08:55:16 AM »

I'll probably settle on the 70-200mm F4 L, could justify the f2.8 or IS versions - wife would kill me

Angry Turnip · « **Reply #12 on:** February 11, 2009, 10:21:37 PM »

You could fib slightly and say you got it at a massive discount

In truth I always recommend you go for what you need and what you can afford-if you can`t afford it then don`t buy it and be happy with what you do get.

You could always sell some stuff to raise extra funds-that`s what I do.

casper · « **Reply #13 on:** February 14, 2009, 08:04:45 PM »

Called into Jessops in Lisburn today - they had a 70-200mm for sale at £559 - couldn't talk them down from this so I told them I'd buy it elsewhere.
Will be making a call to WareHouseExpress in England on Monday morning - totally confused by them. They have an advert in a photography magazine (March edition) and they have it listed at £411.99 but on their site it's £548.99
Hope the magazine price isn't a misprint.

Dave · « **Reply #14 on:** February 14, 2009, 11:10:11 PM »

Should you need any other places, heres a few camera websites selling the lens. Disregarding Amazon, the cheapest the 70-200mm f4 is at is £498.00 including postage.

http://www.camerapricebuster.com/Canon_EF_70-200mm_f4L_USM_pc.html

Good luck!

Dave

casper · « **Reply #15 on:** February 15, 2009, 10:14:38 AM »

Thanks Dave. I'll wait until tomorrow and phone WarehouseExpress. I'm hoping their advert in the photography magazine is a special price for mail order

Angry Turnip · « **Reply #16 on:** February 15, 2009, 07:16:51 PM »

Casper did you have a sudden rush of blood to the head?

Don`t you know Jessops will rob you blind?

Those guys should wear masks!

Warehouse Express are excellent and offer very good deals-just make sure if you order you leave out "Northern Ireland" from your address or they charge extra for posting.
It will still arrive no-probs but just give your postcode and put United Kingdom instead of N.I.

casper · « **Reply #17 on:** February 15, 2009, 10:15:47 PM »

Quote

Casper did you have a sudden rush of blood to the head? Don`t you know Jessops will rob you blind? Those guys should wear masks!

lol no I knew the Lisburn branch had one is stock and just wanted to hold it

They used to price match but not any more, so they have just lost a sale.

I don't mind paying the extra for postage if it comes way under the Jessops price.

Angry Turnip · « **Reply #18 on:** February 16, 2009, 12:17:22 AM »

Here`s anothe Sigma you might want to consider-

It`s a 28-300mm F3.5
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1010263

Sounds like it would be right up your street without going to silly money.

casper · « **Reply #19 on:** February 16, 2009, 12:28:24 AM »

I currently have a Canon 75-300mm so the 28-300mm doesn't really add much. To be honest I just wanted to get a good quality lens and the Canon 70-200mm L seemed to fit my budget.

Angry Turnip · « **Reply #20 on:** February 16, 2009, 11:38:56 AM »

Seems you have you heart set on the Canon then-personally I think Canon Lenses are very pricey-I would find it hard to justify paying £500 for a 70-200mm lens,but I suppose it depends on what you want to use it for.

I have always used Sigma Lenses and find them to be excellent quality and reasonably priced,so maybe I am biased

casper · « **Reply #21 on:** February 16, 2009, 11:50:16 AM »

Well I did but that may have changed - I phoned WarehouseExpress to enquire about the price difference from the magazine and their website and was told that because the pound is so weak against the dollar Canon have put all their prices up.

I am currently looking at some Sigma and Tamron lenses, even in the lower zoom ranges e.g. 28-75mm. I 'm happy with my 75-300mm for aircraft shots atm and was always looking for a nice portraiture lens as this is something I would shoot more.

Hammerhead · « **Reply #22 on:** February 16, 2009, 06:32:34 PM »

Just wondering if this is of any use to you.......http://www.syndeck.com/items.php?id=588199

casper · « **Reply #23 on:** February 16, 2009, 07:33:20 PM »

Thanks Hammerhead. Fantastic price but it seems it's too good to be true. Did a wee bit of digging and it seems that this is one of many scam sites

Hammerhead · « **Reply #24 on:** February 17, 2009, 11:51:38 AM »

Sorry about that casper.

.... heres one that works out at £420 ,,,,and isnt a scam..... i hope

.....lol http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/183198-USA/Canon_2578A002_70_200mm_f_4_0L_USM_Autofocus.html

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Author Topic: Canon 70-200mm F4.0 L (Read 10952 times)

Hammerhead

Hammerhead