Disapointed with 70-200mm 2.8 IS =(

[SgtOneill]

Hi everyone.

I believe this is one of my first posts here so bear with me.
Today I asked my brother to bring his Canon 70-200mm 2.8 IS USM L from work so i could test drive it (in my Canon 40D). I love how the shape, color and everything on this white lenses. I was really eager to try it out so i took it outside and started shooting a few birds, a few details nothing much.

Im a bit disapointed. The lense is extremely expensive, extremely heavy, the pictures are... dull, i cant get a Nice sharp and that "woah" factor i get from my 50mm 1.8 (90€ lens). I dont know if its me and my technique or whatever.

I've read a bunch of reviews about the 70-200mm 2.8 IS / F4 IS / F4 and pretty much all of them stated that the 2.8 IS is a good all around lens, not too sharp but a nice aperture. the F4 is probably the best, Very sharp and much lighter. I dont think my photography really needs that 2.8 aperture so i could ditch that. hte f/4 IS twice as much as the standard F4 wich sucks because i do have some shaky hands at 200mm.

Anyway. What do you guys think, is it my technique / lack of knowledge. Maybe the lens needs some calibration... i dont know. Here are some photos from today.

I'd like to hear your opinion. I know there's ALOT of people that are tottaly fanatic about this lense. I'm not saying its a bad lense, because its not. Just trying to figure out why i get the "woah" factor on my 1.8 50mm and not from this 2000€ lense =/.


Gallery with 70-200mm 2.8 IS USM Photos

[Sterling]

Let's see... on one hand is one of the most popular pro lenses in the world. On the other is your technique. Which one is more likely to be faulty...?

Slapping an expensive lens on the camera won't instantly transform your shots into award winners. Could it be that an afternoon in the back yard might not be enough time to learn how to use it properly?

[codewarrior00007]

Looks like you've some lighting issues there bud. Tried shooting in various hours of the day.

[cphoniball]

Originally Posted by Sterling

Let's see... on one hand is one of the most popular pro lenses in the world. On the other is your technique. Which one is more likely to be faulty...?

Slapping an expensive lens on the camera won't instantly transform your shots into award winners. Could it be that an afternoon in the back yard might not be enough time to learn how to use it properly?

Different strokes for different folks.

Not saying it's not a fantastic lens, just saying that there are people that don't love it. Like me, for example. I'm just not much of a telephoto guy.

That said, he's got a point - check out your technique and try shooting in various situations. Also keep in mind that there is variation copy to copy.

[RichardTaylor]

Your shooting in what looks like very poor lighting.
That doesn't help.

I can't see any exif data on your pics so that doesn't help to make an objective assesment.

Yes it is big & heavy - the specs will tell you that.
As for cost ..... If you need F2.8 and are shooting hand held in relatively poor lighting., and/or you want the exteemly shallow DOF then I don't think the cost is excessive.

What do you want to use the new lens for, and in what shooting conditions?
There may be "better" alternatives that meet your needs.

[OsmosisStudios]

From this Im gonna say your technique left to be desired. Even outdoors, there's some pretty heavy motion blur.

[photog1107]

You say your photography doesn't need a 2.8, but the lens you like is a 1.8? My guess is youd miss those extra stops in no time. But on the other hand, the types of shots you provided really don't tell me much about what you want it for... so I think it's a bit off base to disregard the utility of the lens when you don't say anything about what you might use it for.

I do own one myself, and in certain circumstances (indoor or low lighting sport events, for example) it's a downright necessity. I have always found its quality and performanceto be superb.

ds

[SgtOneill]

True, the photos are a poor selection from what i've tried and i only tried it on the backyard on an afternoon. I'll upload new ones from that afternoon and also i'll take it for a spin someday and see what i cant get.
That bird shot is an 100% crop. I took it with a shutter speed of 1/500 or so f/8 (thought i cant remember exactly because the EXIF was lost with compression.

I'll upload new ones with EXIF in a few hours for better analysing.

About the f1.8 Yes i do love the shallow DOF and wide aperture, but thats the reason i got it. And from the first shot i took, to the last one i still get the "wow" factor when taking photos in a hurry in Aperture Priority mode. The colors are great and its sharp when it has to be.

but remember, the lens is not mine and I *AM* an amateur / hobby photographer. I'm sure my brother puts it to good use since he is a professional photographer and has a hell lot more experience =)

[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!

[Raoul Isidro]

A telephoto lens is quite unforgiving for the slightest camera motion blur compared to a 50mm. Your pulse, breathing, and shaky hands will reflect significantly on the higher focal lengths.