Disapointed with 70-200mm 2.8 IS =(

[SgtOneill]

Originally Posted by candidrachel

I find that using a new lens is a bit like driving a new car for the first time - it takes a bit of getting used to. Perhaps the back garden wasn't a good first time. I'm sure your bro will let you borrow it again Maybe if there is a carnival or fair in the future you could borrow it then that'll be cool!

Yeah, i agree with that. I really need to take it for another spin and try different things.

I would like to get those kind of shots where the subject is razor sharp and the background is so soft that it looks like a gradient. I think this lens is able to come close to that but i havent figured out the best settings for that effect.

Also would like to try some portraits with this lens and some action photos for the panning effect.

I cant find a Lens Rental store near me, the F/4 has alot of good reviews and recommendations but due to the lack of IS and "small" aperture, i definitly need to try it first. My shaky hands wont help for those 200mm range shots.

Any suggestion for a subject / settings to try out and see the awesome power of this lens? Would love to understand what im doing wrong.

[GadgetRick]

I'd second what a lot of people have said around here. The 70-200 f2.8 L is one of the better pieces of glass you can stick on the end of your camera body. If it wasn't, so many pros wouldn't use it.

I'd also say it can take some time to warm up to a new lens. I recently picked up a (used) 28-70mm f2.8 L and, at first I was like, "This is nice but..." However, after shooting a lot with it since then, I've come to really love the lens. Not for everything but, what it's good for it's great at. I'm picking up the 70-200mm f2.8 L in the next month (or so) for some work I have coming up and I expect the same curve with this lens.

[SgtOneill]

I understand that it is a great Lens. It is (period).
But you cant avoid the fact that (based on reviews) the IQ drops alot a 200mm. Maybe that was my problem. I sticked the lens on 200mm and got trigger happy. Maybe i should try 135mm that is supposedly the best choice. That and F8.

I believe some other lenses like 28-70 2.8 are great but the Focal Length is alot less. And like someone else said, Zoom Lenses wont forgive that handshake at the max Focal Lenght.


*Note to self: Try 135mm f8 settings*


Also, here are some more picture of that afternoon.
http://www.dropbox.com/gallery/17390...andom?h=4f670f