EF 70-200 f2.8 IS vs EF 70-200 f4 IS

[Pipapok]

Hi guys,

I'm planning my next purchase. I already own an EOS500d with 50mm f1.8II and an EF-S 10-22 f3.5-4.5.

Next step is to buy a nice 70-200 for portrait, sport, and concert. The price difference is not the main issue. After reading a lot of reviews and forum, I found that the weight and the image quality with a x1.6 sensor may be a problem.

It seems the f4 version is much recommended for this two points.

Please give me your opinion.

Thanks.

[LoveDSLR]

I have both Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L IS & f/4 L IS and recommend the f/2.8 L IS.

[wanelad]

I would guess the 2.8 is much more expensive as a far better choice so probably comes dow to $ availability. Of course also what you intend to use it for as I note you already have a couple of fast lenses

[Pipapok]

To LoveDSLR :

Could you please elaborate a bit ?

Do you use both on a x1.6 sensor ? How about the weight of the 2.8 ?

Thanks

[sybren]

If you want the best lens, get the f/2.8.

For portraits a small DOF is important. With the same composition and the same f-number you'll get a larger DOF on the APS-C sensor, so you'll need a larger aperture to compensate for that. So if you think sensor size is important in your choice, get the f/2.8.

[inkista]

Tradeoffs:

Cost is roughly the same.

The f/2.8 is much larger/heavier than the f/4.
The f/4 has IS, while the f/2.8 doesn't.
The f/4 is slightly sharper wide open; but wide open on the f/2.8 is a stop wider.

The "on a crop body" thing is mostly people pixel-peeping instead of going out and shooting. They're both fantastic lenses, even on a crop body. And it's not like any of the non-L zoom choices will be sharper.

The reason most of us will tell you to get the f/2.8 is because we know that all IS lets you do is handhold at slower shutter speeds without introducing camera shake. It still does absolutely nothing for subject motion blur--for that you need a larger aperture or higher iso. And you can always stabilize all your lenses the same as IS with a <$100 monopod.

When you said you wanted this lens for portraiture and stage shooting, the f/2.8 became more important than the IS. If by "sports" you're also including indoors sports, then that's in the pile, too, of things that are going to benefit more from the f/2.8 than from the IS. f/4 is simply too slow for available light action shots. And often, if you're freezing faster action, you're going to be shooting at high enough shutter speeds to elminate camera shake blur anyway.

I'd actually recommend the 135 f/2L for the stage and portraits, but I'm a prime afficianado and a hobbyist who doesn't have to lug equipment around all day on a job, and I tend to like spe******t lenses vs. all-rounders.

[LoveDSLR]

Originally Posted by Pipapok

Do you use both on a x1.6 sensor ? How about the weight of the 2.8 ?

I only used the 70-200 f/2.8 L IS on my D30 (1.6x) and now full frame. The f/2.8 is much heavier than the f/4 L IS.

Originally Posted by Pipapok

Could you please elaborate a bit ?

I will not worry about these two lenses with either 1.6x or full frame Canon. Image quality from both of them should be good enough for pro uses.

The concerns are mostly cost, weight, focal length and speed (aperture).

If you're going to buy just one 70-200 then f/2.8 is highly recommended because you can use it @ f/2.8 at low light and shallow DOF for portraits. Higher shutter speed can be use in sports as well with improved AF.

When weight is taking into consideration then the 70-200 f/4 IS L is extremely comfortable to carry around. That is the ONLY reason I bought mine. However, you can also consider Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 (I have one too) or Tokina 50-135 f/2.8.

For lower cost, the Sigma/Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 can be considered as well.

[Sime]

I am full and crop sensor - I shoot a lot of low-light stuff, so I chose the f2.8 but will wait for the MK2 to come out before I purchase... the 2.8 is heavy, I spent five days at a festival carrying it around... But it takes a darn fine photo. (when attached to the right photographer)

[Pipapok]

Thanks to all of you for your reply.

I'm convince that the EF 70-200 f2.8 IS is the best choice, I will just have to exercice my left arm...

[MattWalker53]

Ive use my brother in laws 70-200 f2.8 is on my T1i/500d regularly it is a really good combo, the weight of the lens isnt really that bad and low light shots are great. the 2.8 also comes with a tripod holder if the weight does get to much.