Help buying 70-200 F2.8

[JustSAN]

Hey there -I am ready to step up and purchase the EF 70-200 2.8 and I need a little help deciding which one to buy:

EF 70-200 F2.8L USM
EF 70-200 F2.8L IS USM
EF 70-200 F2.8L IS II USM

I currently have a 7D (which I love), and photograph weddings, portraits, and action sports.

Thoughts and comments from some of you that own one and/or used one, direction on what you would have bought over your choice?

Thank you!

[kirbinster]

Well I am not a Canon shooter, but do have a Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 AF-S VR-I. Based on what you describe it sounds like you will be shooting hand-held a good portion of the time, that said VR (or IS for you Canon type) will greatly help you. Thus, I would avoid the first lens. The question then becomes how much more stabilization or sharpness will you get for the money in the IS-II versus the IS?

[inkista]

It all comes down to cost vs. function. If you weren't shooting weddings and portraits, I'd say get the non-IS one to save the most money--with fast action, you're likely to be above 1/200s anyway. But since you ARE doing portraits and weddings, you're likely to need those slower shutter speeds in the 1/60-1/200s range, so one of the IS versions is probably going to come in much more handy for you.

So, then it's just about whether you want to pony up the additional $400 and blow the $2300 on the Mk II for the new/better optics. From most reports, the Mk II is basically the f/2.8 version of the f/4 IS (which blew everyone away by being sharper than the Mk I f/2.8s).

[JustSAN]

Thanks so much for your help -now I just need to decided on the I or the II.
Is the II THAT noticeable of a difference and worth the extra $$?

[look_yau]

Originally Posted by JustSAN

Thanks so much for your help -now I just need to decided on the I or the II.
Is the II THAT noticeable of a difference and worth the extra $$?

yes it does worth the extra $$, I borrowed my friends new one and played for a day, I am itchy to get my own one asap.

the pictures quality in the non-center area is much much better when wide open, and the IS is slightly more reliable too.