Lens advice: I shoot a variety of photos primarily wildlife and nature. I am considering this lens for my Canon Rebel T5. Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR...

bhad

I shoot a variety of photos primarily wildlife and nature. I am considering this lens for my Canon Rebel T5.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Can those on this forum give pros and cons of this lense?
Thank you!

BTW- the loons have returned to north-central Minnesota.🙂

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I have the f4 version of the lens. It, like your planned purchase, is sharp and fast. But.... I rarely if ever use it for wildlife where range is king. Even with your crop factor, effective range is only 340mm. Unless you need that 2.8, I’d opt for a refurbished Canon 100-400 ii for about the same $$. Good luck.

Jack47 Loc: Ontario

bhad wrote:

I shoot a variety of photos primarily wildlife and nature. I am considering this lens for my Canon Rebel T5.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Can those on this forum give pros and cons of this lense?
Thank you!

BTW- the loons have returned to north-central Minnesota.🙂

I’m not a canon shooter but I think you’ll need more than 200mm to shoot wildlife since in most cases you will not get very close. There are some great canon shooters on here so I’m sure you’ll get some good suggestions.

bhad

Thank you! From where do you purchase refurbished gear?

ELNikkor

KEH in Atlanta is very reliable. I also agree that the 100-400 version II would be a better purchase.

bhad

Thank you!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I too think you'll be unhappy with a 70-200 as being too short for wild life. The 100-400L is a better choice, if not outside your price range. Be careful about ideas of 'extenders'. Your T5 will lose autofocus above f/5.6. The EF 300mm f/4L IS is an excellent lens and can be extended to 420mm at f/5.6, although a prime might be less useful than a zoom covering 100-400mm. Also the EF 400 f/5.6L is very sharp at a relatively modest price to other ideas, but here with your model Rebel, you can't extend and retain AF.

MountainDave

For wildlife, you would be better off with something longer and/or IS. For about the same amount of money, there is a 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS. There is a non L USM II 70-300 as well for less money. Among the 70-200s, a better choice for your purposes would be the f/4L IS II version which is a great all around lens and extremely sharp. The 2.8 versions are more for portraits and indoor shooting. Google pro reviews of the various models.

Dave

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

ELNikkor wrote:

KEH in Atlanta is very reliable. I also agree that the 100-400 version II would be a better purchase.

I bought the original version of that lens from KEH. Looks and works as good as new. Can't go wrong with version ll

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

bhad wrote:

Thank you! From where do you purchase refurbished gear?

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/lenses-flashes/refurbished-lenses

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I have that lens and you will be disappointed using it for wildlife even if you add an extender. I have bought two lenses that I am using that work wonderfully. I have been using them for my recent posts so you can see the results if you want. Canon 500 f4, and Canon 400 f4 DO II. BnH has those and others in that range in their used department.
The 500 f4 is heavy, you will need a monopod or tripod.
The 400 f4 is light enough that you can walk around taking hand held pictures for quite a while.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=canon%20lenses%20400&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma

bhad

I have learned so much from all the responses! Collective wisdom. Grateful!

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Pro - a very good lens
Cons - heavier than the f/4
more expensive than the f/4
only 200mm at long end

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

bhad wrote:

I shoot a variety of photos primarily wildlife and nature. I am considering this lens for my Canon Rebel T5.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Can those on this forum give pros and cons of this lense?
Thank you!

BTW- the loons have returned to north-central Minnesota.🙂

All pros, no cons on the quality.
Reach is a bit short though and the 100-400mm MII would serve better unless shooting in very low light.
The 100-400 focuses much closer as well and at 400mm seems like a macro lens for small flowers and creatures.
That said the lens has no con and is one of the best made. So if reach is not needed or very low light is required it is a superb lens and worth the investment.

jerseymike

bhad wrote:

Thank you! From where do you purchase refurbished gear?

From the camera/lens website. Also B&H and Adorama both in NYC. They will ship all over. B&H I believe will be closed for Passover. Not sure if the sam holds true for Adorama.