Entry level Canon L series lens: I would like to ask opinions about the Canon 70-200 F4L USM. I will be shooting mostly harness horse racing at county fairs during the day. I don't...

Mauitouch

I would like to ask opinions about the Canon 70-200 F4L USM. I will be shooting mostly harness horse racing at county fairs during the day. I don't have a big budget for a new lens and thought this would be good L series to start with.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

basically there is no such thing as an "entry level" L. The Ls are Canon's professional grade lenses. There are just some like this one that come in more than one version, with the faster ones being more expensive. The f/4 should do fine at the races outdoors under most light. But don't expect to be doing real long shots with a 200 mm. I don't know if you are using FF or APS-C but you might want a little more reach than the 200, say the 300. This is a very good lens and will do fine when the subject is not too far away. In this case say 50 yards and preferably 25-30 yards or less. But then I prefer to be able to frame tightly if I can. Just enough of the scene to tell you what and where.

Mauitouch

Thanks, I will look into the 300mm. Would like to get closer shots.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Mauitouch wrote:

I would like to ask opinions about the Canon 70-200 F4L USM. I will be shooting mostly harness horse racing at county fairs during the day. I don't have a big budget for a new lens and thought this would be good L series to start with.

It is a GREAT lens. I have used it extensively. Make sure you get a third party tripod collar for when using with support and a Tamron SP or Kenko Pro 1.4X to go behind it. For close up work, get a Canon 500D to go in front of it.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

I have that lens as well and as long as you have decent light so you can shoot at high enough shutter speed you should be fine. It was the first : lens I ever bought and I love it! It is relatively light weight too which helps if you are hand holding.

anotherview Loc: California

You cannot go wrong with this fine lens, but make sure you get the version with Image Stabilization. Work with it until its limitations become apparent to you. Then consider adding another lens. Or consider renting a lens as needed. Good luck.

Mauitouch wrote:

I would like to ask opinions about the Canon 70-200 F4L USM. I will be shooting mostly harness horse racing at county fairs during the day. I don't have a big budget for a new lens and thought this would be good L series to start with.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Not sure of your budget, but just a couple of data points from the Canon refurbished site.

70-200 f4L (no IS) $519
70-200 f4L IS $959
70-200 f2.8L (no IS) $1,079
70-200 f2.8L IS $1,219 (KEH Ex condition - none on the Canon refurbished site)

The point being that if you have $500 to spend, then the f4 non-IS is it and a great choice, but if your budget is ~$1000-1200, then a 2.8 might be a good investment compared to the f4 IS for the extra $ (would you rather have IS or the extra stop?) OTOH, in my area, you can find the 2.8 IS for ~$1,100.

Haydon

anotherview wrote:

You cannot go wrong with this fine lens, but make sure you get the version with Image Stabilization. Work with it until its limitations become apparent to you. Then consider adding another lens. Or consider renting a lens as needed. Good luck.

I concur with the IS. It will give you a lot more latitude with your exposures without resorting to a tripod when the light begins to disappear.

anotherview Loc: California

Ditto:

Haydon wrote:

I concur with the IS. It will give you a lot more latitude with your exposures without resorting to a tripod when the light begins to disappear.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

Mauitouch wrote:

I would like to ask opinions about the Canon 70-200 F4L USM. I will be shooting mostly harness horse racing at county fairs during the day. I don't have a big budget for a new lens and thought this would be good L series to start with.

Since you don't have a big budget, and you asked specifically about the 70-200 f4 L (non IS), I will reiterate that as long as you are shooting in decent light when you are shooting the harness horse races (which are not super fast), that lens (which I own) will be great. Is the IS version better? Well, sure, but as the prices from the refurb store someone posted, the IS is going to cost you hundreds more $$. You can always start with the non-IS version and, if you feel you need IS, you can always upgrade later. I've had my non-IS version for a couple of years and almost never feel a need for IS as long as I'm shooting in decent lighting.

Psergel Loc: New Mexico

Mauitouch wrote:

Thanks, I will look into the 300mm. Would like to get closer shots.

The 70-300L is outstanding

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-70-300mm-f-4-5.6-IS-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

heyjoe Loc: cincinnati ohio

yes all L lens are pro type lens,you can also pick up a canon 100-4000 L,got mine for $500,you will need all the reach you can get,good luck

Psergel Loc: New Mexico

heyjoe wrote:

yes all L lens are pro type lens,you can also pick up a canon 100-4000 L,got mine for $500,you will need all the reach you can get,good luck

A very exciting extra zero there. Can you use an extender with it?

Lupane Loc: Gainsville, Ga.

Psergel wrote:

A very exciting extra zero there. Can you use an extender with it?

No, unless you buy a third party extender.

Dr.CalebRodriguez

Just my two cents here. I own the canon 100-400L IS lens. You can use A canon 1.4 or 2x teleconvertor with this lens. It will give you extra reach, however you will lose at the very least one stop of light and two stop if you use the 2x. The image quality is decent. For my personal taste I always make an effort not to use teleconvertors if possible. Hope that this helps.