USM or USM II? : 70-200mm

[BioSpark]

I have been lucky enough to come in to some money, and I'm really itching to get a 70-200mm lens. By the time I'm about to order, I'll have about 1500 dollars to buy a lens. I'm wondering if it would be worth it to wait and save another 1000 and get the USM II or if I should just get the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM.

I'll be using it for portrait shots and engagements, with future hopes to do weddings (not anytime in the next six months).

What would you recommend?

[OsmosisStudios]

It's not the USM that changed but the IS. The II at the end of the item code just indicates the version of the LENS, not the USM.

[BioSpark]

Oh, sorry. That's what I meant. I just was keeping the sentence shorter for reading. Would it be worth it to get the newer version or should the older one stand up on it's own?

[ddr]

YouTube - Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS Mark II USM - Hands on Review - DigitalRev.com!

i heard it focuses much faster compared to mkI

[gturner]

I have version 1 and it is so good I would struggle with paying the upgrade without having a commercial reason

[Sime]

I've used both and am waiting for the money for the MKII... My low light stuff may benefit from the added IS functionality and the focus speed (which is mad!) ...That, combined with the new noise capabilities in Lightroom3 and I won't even have to think about the shot anymore.... lol

That said, the version one is a VERY nice lens...

[rodney_hoare]

I spent the additional $ on the II and love it to bits.

I found the its sharper, faster and the IS is awesome under low light conditions. Who needs a tripod with one of these now.. haha

[Nekrose]

I recently bought the non IS version, and I love it!

However, if I had the extra money, I would have gone for the IS, just because I have tremors in my hands.

But the non IS version has performed extremely well in the short time that I have had it.

Many people have suggested getting a monopod or a tripod to help avoid blur.

For now, I am extremely satisfied with the new baby. The fact that it doesn't have IS is not a huge problem for me, because I know how to shoot around my tremors. I plan on getting a monopod with a ball head to go with it.