TO ALL,

Anybody here have a 70-200 f4L IS or have used it?

How good is it? Say, compared to the f2.8 or non-IS version?

How much did you get it and where?


thanks in advance!

Got the 70-200 f/4 L IS, and I can say that it is indeed very, very sharp! Couldn't really tell against the 85mm prime (perhaps the sensor limit was reached). I was initially contemplating on getting the f/2.8 IS version instead, but the price was above my budget. After further review on a lot of sites (e.g., photozone, fredmiranda, etc.), it appears that the f/2.8 IS is even a bit less sharp than the f/2.8 non-IS version, which in itself is a bit less sharp than the f/4 IS. I am primarily after sharpness rather than speed (which, in the case of the f/2.8 is traded against sharpness when wide open), and the IS helps a lot in low-light along with a bump in ISO. I can deal with noise in PP, so no big deal.

This lens is also very sharp wide open, which is a real treat! I have used the non-IS f/4 version, and having the IS is indeed a lot better, especially with a long lens that has a higher tendency to droop down when handheld. The non-IS f/4 is also not weather sealed, unlike the f/4 IS.

Got it for around P46k in HK.

Got the 70-200 f/4 L IS, and I can say that it is indeed very, very sharp! Couldn't really tell against the 85mm prime (perhaps the sensor limit was reached). I was initially contemplating on getting the f/2.8 IS version instead, but the price was above my budget. After further review on a lot of sites (e.g., photozone, fredmiranda, etc.), it appears that the f/2.8 IS is even a bit less sharp than the f/2.8 non-IS version, which in itself is a bit less sharp than the f/4 IS. I am primarily after sharpness rather than speed (which, in the case of the f/2.8 is traded against sharpness when wide open), and the IS helps a lot in low-light along with a bump in ISO. I can deal with noise in PP, so no big deal.

This lens is also very sharp wide open, which is a real treat! I have used the non-IS f/4 version, and having the IS is indeed a lot better, especially with a long lens that has a higher tendency to droop down when handheld. The non-IS f/4 is also not weather sealed, unlike the f/4 IS.

Got it for around P46k in HK.

Thanks. your post has been very informative. I am after sharpness and light weight. Well, it's really not that light, but compared to the f2.8 versions, the f4L is lighter. Based on my own research too, this lens is sharp wide open from 70-200mm. A rare feat for most lenses w/c tend to compromise one end over the other. Personally, I'd be happy enough if the lens performs well from 70-135mm as this will be the range by which I most likely use it. At it's sharpness seems to rival that of primes for the same aperture w/c is why I am interested in this lens myself. Reminds me of my tamron 28-75 where the lens is very good at 40-60mm that it's hard to tell w/c is the prime or zoom.

Price seems ok too, at least in HK. Unfortunately, my plans of getting this lens will be delayed due to monetary constraints at this time. But for sure, this is on my list.

nalungkot tuloy ako sa 2.8 IS ko :(

but seriously, mabigat nga ang f2.8 IS, pang weights! i havent tried holding the f4 IS, pero i would believe that it would be a lot lot lighter! i've also read in some reviews na f4 outperforms f2.8 check www.photogrpahy-on-the.net (http://www.photogrpahy-on-the.net) i know thats where i read the comparisons. do a search ang dami gumawa ng comparisons between f2.8 and f4

eto ang lens chart ng canon. altho hindi pa naipapasok ang f4 IS sa chart. this will be my christmas wishlist :D
http://www.usa.canon.com/app/pdf/lens/EFLensChart.pdf

:)

peace

nalungkot tuloy ako sa 2.8 IS ko :(

but seriously, mabigat nga ang f2.8 IS, pang weights! i havent tried holding the f4 IS, pero i would believe that it would be a lot lot lighter! i've also read in some reviews na f4 outperforms f2.8 check www.photogrpahy-on-the.net (http://www.photogrpahy-on-the.net) i know thats where i read the comparisons. do a search ang dami gumawa ng comparisons between f2.8 and f4

eto ang lens chart ng canon. altho hindi pa naipapasok ang f4 IS sa chart. this will be my christmas wishlist :D
http://www.usa.canon.com/app/pdf/lens/EFLensChart.pdf

:)

peace

How true. Expensive too, huh? I believe it's now P92k for that lens. But it's a good lens.

I wonder when canon will make a 100 f2 usm IS or 135 f2.8 IS or a 200 f2.8L IS. Going primes with IS is one good alternative. You lose the zoom, but you gain prime sharpness, the f2.8 speed, and have it lower in weight, size, and price.

But for now, I guess, the 70-200 f4L IS is as good as it goes. You just have to accept that it is f4 so expect anything it can't do past that.

i was able to buy mine kay watsons @ 82k i think last feb. i just got it the saturday before the hot air balloon kaya nabinyagan agad sya noong hot air balloon event :)


its great for capturing candids and bagay sya sa mga cropped body dslrs may free 1.6 magnification ka.

my dream setup will be 70-200 on 30D tapos my 24-70 on a 5D. libre naman mangarap :)

I got mine pre-owned in mint condition. I can really attest the sharpness of this lens even at wide open. Though I haven't actually compared it with the 2.8 & 2.8 IS, I've been hearing a lot that it's the sharpest among the three.

This would have been my keeper lens if I didn't shift to Nikon. Now it really took me some time to get used to the heavier 80-200 :Grin: