Is IS worth the extra cost and weight?
Jun 13, 2014 09:28:04 #
I am planning to buy a 70-200 mm Canon L lens in the next couple months.
I plan to shoot indoor college volleyball with it as well as drag racing, perhaps some portraits and outdoor close up stuff.
My plan is the 2.8 version but I am wondering if the IS is worth the extra $1000 cost. After all, $1000 goes a long way toward another very nice lens. I will be shooting at higher shutter speeds to stop motion with the volleyball and drag racing, so would IS be of any value. I understand that IS can also slow the focus speed, but I don't know for sure because I have never experienced IS personally. It also seems that you can shut the IS off with a switch on the lens and limit the focus range to speed auto focus.
I will be using this lens primarily with a 1D Mark III so I am ready for the overall weight issue. I'm a big ole boy but I also have a nice monopod if needed. I could also see my daughter using this lens for some portrait and assistant wedding work on occasion too.
I'll look forward to your input and any similar experiences.
I plan to shoot indoor college volleyball with it as well as drag racing, perhaps some portraits and outdoor close up stuff.
My plan is the 2.8 version but I am wondering if the IS is worth the extra $1000 cost. After all, $1000 goes a long way toward another very nice lens. I will be shooting at higher shutter speeds to stop motion with the volleyball and drag racing, so would IS be of any value. I understand that IS can also slow the focus speed, but I don't know for sure because I have never experienced IS personally. It also seems that you can shut the IS off with a switch on the lens and limit the focus range to speed auto focus.
I will be using this lens primarily with a 1D Mark III so I am ready for the overall weight issue. I'm a big ole boy but I also have a nice monopod if needed. I could also see my daughter using this lens for some portrait and assistant wedding work on occasion too.
I'll look forward to your input and any similar experiences.
Jun 13, 2014 09:37:29 #
IS will help with your movement but not your subjects...I don't shoot Canon but Nikon and none of my lenses are stabilized. ..
Jun 13, 2014 09:43:35 #
wilsondl
Loc: Lincoln, NE
I have an f/4 instead of the f/2.8 and think that it is great for all the things I do. I do not shoot indoor spors. Since $1000 is involoved I would rent an f/4 and see if it will do what you want it to. If not go for the f/2.8. The other thing to think about if you go with the f/4 will you always feel your are using a 2nd rate lens. If in your heart of hearts this is the way you are going to feel get the f/2.8. - Dave
Jun 13, 2014 09:45:56 #
It would be nice to have, but none of my lenses are stabilized either. I can't see spending the money for it, but you may be different. Have you considered renting some IS and Non-IS lenses and shooting a couple of events to see if it is worth it to YOU? What works for me, and for Screamin Scott, may not work for you.
Jun 13, 2014 09:49:15 #
The longer the lens, the more you will notice the benefit of stabilization. In general, I would state that if you are using a monopod and/or high shutter speed that IS will be of lesser use to you then if you are shooting hand held, especially at lower speeds. If you are shooting under a variety of conditions then my preferance would be to have it. You can always shut it off in situations where it is unnecessary.
Jun 13, 2014 09:53:41 #
When you mentioned you'd be shooting portraits, yes, it's worth it to have IS. That way you can easily shoot at 1/60-1/200th of a second with IS and have no camera shake blur.
Notorious T.O.D. wrote:
I am planning to buy a 70-200 mm Canon L lens in t... (show quote)
Jun 13, 2014 09:57:47 #
DavidPine
Loc: Fredericksburg, TX
The f/2.8 is much better for indoor sports. I love mine. Good luck.
Notorious T.O.D. wrote:
I am planning to buy a 70-200 mm Canon L lens in t... (show quote)
Jun 13, 2014 10:03:01 #
You may wish to consider the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/70-200mm-f4-is.htm
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/70-200mm-f4-is.htm
Notorious T.O.D. wrote:
I am planning to buy a 70-200 mm Canon L lens in t... (show quote)
Jun 13, 2014 12:33:33 #
I have the 2.8 IS version and it's fantastic. I use it indoors at my daughter's volleyball games with my 5DIII and no flash. It works super! I had the 4.0 version without IS and I didn't care for it nearly as much. They are pricey, I agree.
Chris
Chris
Notorious T.O.D. wrote:
I am planning to buy a 70-200 mm Canon L lens in t... (show quote)
Jun 13, 2014 12:38:00 #
Chris,
If I may ask, what ISO and shutter speeds are you shooting indoors for volleyball?
Thanks!
If I may ask, what ISO and shutter speeds are you shooting indoors for volleyball?
Thanks!
Jun 13, 2014 13:24:23 #
I shoot in shutter priority for volleyball usually at 1/500, sometimes maybe a little slower. The 5DIII is super under low light conditions (light conditions vary on the court as each school can be very different) so I leave the ISO on auto which will bump up the setting a bit to as high as 1600 and little to no noise.
Chris
Chris
Notorious T.O.D. wrote:
Chris,
If I may ask, what ISO and shutter speeds are you shooting indoors for volleyball?
Thanks!
If I may ask, what ISO and shutter speeds are you shooting indoors for volleyball?
Thanks!
Jun 13, 2014 13:35:38 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
Notorious T.O.D. wrote:
I am planning to buy a 70-200 mm Canon L lens in t... (show quote)
Yes.
For indoor volleyball, turn off IS and use the monopod. I used the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR, and with the VR on, there was a slight extra shutter lag. Turning it off helped get the timing right. But when I use the same lens when shooting a wedding, I absolutely want the stabilization option. Stabilization is also helpful with portraits. I think if you are panning at the drag races, the IS can also help.
Jun 14, 2014 06:30:19 #
sueyeisert
Loc: New Jersey
Wait for a sale or rebate and get what you really want. The worst is to buy then regret the purchase.
Jun 14, 2014 06:35:17 #
IS definitely makes a difference and it's worth the extra money, specially for telephoto lenses.
As other suggested, if you can't afford the extra $1,000 go for the f4L IS that is as good and sharp as the f2.8L IS II. it's a better cost-value relationship.
As other suggested, if you can't afford the extra $1,000 go for the f4L IS that is as good and sharp as the f2.8L IS II. it's a better cost-value relationship.
Jun 14, 2014 06:39:34 #
Notorious T.O.D. wrote:
My plan is the 2.8 version but I am wondering if the IS is worth the extra $1000 cost.
I'll look forward to your input and any similar experiences.
I'll look forward to your input and any similar experiences.
I always like to get stabilized lenses, but I wouldn't pay $1,000 more for it. Any way you look at it, $1,000 is a lot of money for, basically, hand-holding.
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