pigpen wrote:
Thanx for the info.
1000 bucks is a big difference, like a whole nother lens!!
I have also read many reviews, by professionals not just consumers, who say the non-IS is a little sharper due to the fact the IS has extra glass/elements, though I don't think most people could tell the diff.
Also, most things I'll use it for will require fast shutter speeds, making the IS obsolete. But I know there will be times when I wished I had it.
Yeah I'm sure you'll run into it more than you think. Of course if you never have it, you won't know what your missing. I use flash most of the time, and many would argue that I don't need it much either. The thing is that the IS is engaged as soon as you start to focus the camera, making it much easier to just view the subject before taking the photo. I've turned the IS off a number of times just to play with it, and find the camera shake at 200mm to be annoying compared to having the IS on.
It's by far my favorite lens.