ewoody Loc: N.E. Ohio

Would like to purchase the 70-200 L f2.8 BUT, the price seems a bit high for me at this time.... Does anyone have the f4 L 70-200 or both ??? and did you notice THAT big of a difference for $600.00 more ?? I am almost ready to just buy the f4 , but just couldn't press the purchase button... lol

LPigott Loc: Monterey Peninsula, CA

I debated this issue a year ago and decided on the f/4 ... and haven 't looked back. I often use it with a 1.4x teleconverter. I also prefer the lighter weight of the f/4. The images are tack sharp. It does everything I need.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Ewoody, I have the f4 non IS model. I've had it for 5 years. I've never felt I need an F2.8, as I use it outdoors, and consequently don't need IS.
The f4 is very small and portable, which is the reason I chose it. The 2.8's are the same size as a 100-400.
Also, if it matters to you, except for the new mkll zoom, the f4 is the sharpest or equal to the other 70-200's. Good luck. ;-)
SS

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Canons 70-200mm f4 is truly a bargain lens that produces very nice results at a very fair price. Andthe lighter weight makes it easy to carry along, even on a long day.

Big Stopper Loc: London

I too have the Canon 70-200 f4 non IS and I love this lens because it is both sharp and lightweight.

ewoody Loc: N.E. Ohio

Thanks everyone, This makes the decision a lot easier. I've done numerous weddings and senior portraits without an "l" lens. But I do feel the need to move up to the better glass.Now I won't feel so bad about pushing the confirm icon on the screen.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Look for a good used EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM (non mark II) and you will have a fine piece of fast glass.

Photogdog Loc: New Kensington, PA

I agree. I have the f4.0 & I have no regrets. It's a GREAT lens!!! I also have the 100-400 & SS is right. The weight's about the same between it & the f2.8 which is why they both come files to with a lens collar ring

mldavis2

The Canon 70-200L f/2.8 is generally acknowledged to be one of the finest medium zoom lenses ever made and razor sharp. I have the first version (not the II) and it is an excellent indoor lens due, of course, to the lens opening. The advantages of the extra f-stop gives you better focusing in low light and the IS model is very quick. The newer II model has an even more improved AF motor system but the I works great. I use mine primarily for indoor candid portrait shots without flash. I've never used the f/4 version which is lighter if that is a factor.

juanderfulpics Loc: central jersey

The 70-200 f4 is an excellent lens.
However if you ever shoot basketball indoors or football Friday night, you're going to wish you bought the 2.8 is version. It can be had used for around 1g. Either way you're gonna be happy.

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

I have the older non IS 2.8 and it's a great lens but I rarely shoot it at 2.8.
I expect the f4 would work out fine for you.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I have both the 70-200/2.8 IS "Mark I" and the 70-200/4 IS... and I've used other versions. I mostly shoot sports events and this is probably my most used lens, which is why I have two.

Both the versions I use are excellent lenses. In fact, all five of the Canon 70-200s are top notch. So, which ones are you asking about? Four are in current production: f4 with and without IS, and f2.8 with and without IS (the current f2.8 IS is the "Mark II", which has set a new price level among these lenses). Only the f2.8 IS original version (Mark I) has been recently discontinued but is still an excellent lens, widely available used and can even occasionally be found new.

- The 70-200/2.8 non-IS is the oldest of the bunch and the later models tend to be a bit sharper.

- The 70-200/4 non-IS and the 70-200/2.8 IS give similar quality, but of course the lens with the larger aperture can potentially blur down backgrounda a bit more.

- The 70-200/4 IS and 70-200/2.8 IS Mark II are the best of the bunch, with the newest version (the Mark II) being the cream of the crop. Both these lenses have newer versions of IS that are a bit more effective and both offer top IQ. The f2.8 lens probably is a wee bit the sharper lens and, of course, has the strongest potential background blur.

But really all five are very capable, you have to really look for differences in images made with them. It is more down to the differences in features... IS vs non-IS, f4 vs f2.8, size and weight considerations.

I swear by IS on these focal lengths (and longer), particularly using the lenses on crop cameras a lot. Some will say that IS isn't needed for sports like I shoot, but I can tell you from using these and other IS lenses for as much as ten years or more, that there have been plenty of shots I wouldn't have gotten or would have struggled to get as easily, without IS. Tho it's nice to have on any lens, I don't go looking for IS on shorter lenses, but anything 100mm and longer it's especially nice to have and would always be my preference (macro lenses excepted).

The f4 lenses are about 2/3 the size and 2/3 the weight of the f2.8 lenses. If size and weight are a consideration, you might want to go to a store that carries them and compare.

The f2.8 lenses are all originally supplied with a tripod mounting ring (removeable). The f4 lenses do not include that ring and it's sold separately (also removeable, of course). Last time I looked, this accounted for about $160 of the difference between the price of the lenses. The f4 lenses use Canon Tripod Ring A II (w). There are third party clones that sell for considerably less than the Canon OEM. Can't say how well the clones fit... I have the Canon OEM ring on my f4 IS.

Some like one tripod ring over the other.... The f4 ring is hinged, making it more easily removed (can be done without unmounting the lens). But it doesn't tighten down as snugly as the f2.8 tripod ring.

The f2.8 lenses have "tulip" lens hoods. The f4 do not, they use a standard hood design. All of the 70-200s are L-series lenses, so the hood is included.

The f2.8 lenses use 77mm filters and the f4 lenses use 67mm.

I don't tend to use my 70-200s for portraits a whole lot. More often I use a prime lens for that purpose (most typically 50/1.4 and 85/1.8 on crop cameras, 85/1.8 and 135/2L on full frame). On crop sensor cameras, I sometimes use 24-70/2.8 for portraits, when I need a zoom. But if a 70-200 zoom will work better for you, then the Canons are all good choices ranging from very, very good image quality to excllent and real "workhorses" with top quality build.

Have fun shopping!

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

Even more of a bargain Refurbish at discount pricing. At this time they are sold out.

I have seen many pros use this lens because of the weight.

J. R.

Reddog Loc: Southern Calif

I have the F4 and love it, easy to carry and very sharp!