[Sonsey]

I've been wanting something fast in this sort of range for a long while now, I've seriously considered the Sigma version several times but tbh I like my "IS" too much so I never pressed the buy button.

I'm just wondering if anyone that owns/has used one can tell me if there are any negative sides to this lens? All the reviews say it's top notch but I'd like some real world opinions from photogs I trust.

...it will be a long lean summer if I were to go for one but what do you think?

[Soupdragon]

I used one on a work colleagues 40D and it was very impressive.
The picture quality was very good although I was only taking snap shots.
I was not taking too much notice of image quality as I was more interested in the effectiveness of IS. What I can say now is, it works surprisingly well.
It produces a bright picture in the viewfinder which is nice.
It was much quieter than I expected.
Focus was quick even when it racked from close focus to infinity.


What I don't like is the colour, it is so blazingly obvious when it is attached to the camera that it draws a lot of attention.
It looks truly proposterous with the hood fitted.
It is a big lens by comparison to the non IS versions but that's to be expected I suppose.
It has loads of switches which would take me a long time to find without looking.

I don't know what else to say other than I've never heard a bad thing said about it.

[MGeminiani]

Hi,
I will keep one eye on this one because I am thinking getting one aswell.....
I have the sigma version which is a fantastic lens.......

[Whipspeed]

I can't say anything about the IS version, as I've just purchased the 70-200mm f2.8L USM. As for sports I find the IS turned off produces a much better shot. Don't know why, but a journalist at the track gave me that tip last year and on the f4 it made a surprising difference to the shots, with the IS turned off, they were sharp.
Compared to the f4 I've ust sold, there is quite a noticable difference and jump up in quality. The pictures it is producing are bright with extremely good colour (I've not had to adjust anything in PS) and the sharpness of the subject and the lovely background blur are something else. Even hubby is impressed and looking at my shots said it was money well spent If you want to see the shots I've done with it, look at my site and under time trials 2008 check out the Welland Valley event.
The chap who bought my f4 is selling an f2.8 on ebay this week, not sure why! Unless it's a weight issue for him, but to be honest on my 40D it's not that heavy & I don't think it draws that much attention, but then when I'm out at major cycle races the pros have them anyway & it probably helps the cyclists see where I am so they can smile.

[rhodopsin]

Great Lens, but limit the use of the IS for sport as it can sometimes give poor results.

Incidentally, I purchase my IS version in 2004 but early this year I noticed some marks on one of the inner lenses which looked like very thin fibres. Anyway sent it in to Canon for repair and £500 later it's working perfectly. It happened to be the IS unit which needed replacing - Makes me wonder if the none IS model would have been a better purchase overall.

[Dave Canon]

I have had the Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 L IS for about 18 months now. An excellent lens and the f2.8 is particuarly handy with a bright image in the viewfinder and very fast focussing both auto and manual. The IS is very good and have used IS for sports shots.

One negative thing is that it is heavy at 1.5 Kg but it is a huge amount of glass.

Dave

[Sonsey]

Thanks for the replies everyone, keep'em coming!

...much to think about

[P-E]

I read your post early this morning Iain and was going to reply with "it's a great lens" but wanted to give you a bit more feedback.........well having thought about it all day I can only echo the positive comments above.

When I first purchased it I thought it was going to be far to big and heavy to walk around with but having carried and used it all day at several sporting events I must say it was no trouble at all.........compared to the 300mm IS 2.8 it's small

If you make the purchase I'm sure you will not regret it mate

[Whipspeed]

Rhodopsin, just looked at your site and am very, very jealous that you were track centre in Manchester! Some superb shots on your site.

[rhodopsin]

Originally Posted by Whipspeed

Rhodopsin, just looked at your site and am very, very jealous that you were track centre in Manchester! Some superb shots on your site.

Yes, I was at the World Championships for British Cycling working along site LH. The last day I had to leave and shoot a Junior RR in Wales and that was the only day we didn't win Gold. I took all the podium shot including all 9 British Golds and the one I'm particularly proud of is the emotional Chris Hoy when he won the Sprint Gold.

I was taken with the 70-200mm before the repair and is slightly soft but it doesn't affect the overall image.



The original is superb and you can see his eye filling up.

[M1ke A]

I started out with a Sigma 2.8 but it went back to them once to tighten the rear assembly (a common prob) and twice more to try and sort the focus tracking.

2nd calibration attempt didn't improve things and they replaced it with a new lens, which was even worse.

I got Park to take that one back and I coughed up for the Canon.

[Whipspeed]

That is a lovely shot of Chris. I had an email from LH yesterday, he is a really nice man. I'm hopefully going out to the Rutland Cicle Classic for BC.

[rhodopsin]

Originally Posted by Whipspeed

That is a lovely shot of Chris. I had an email from LH yesterday, he is a really nice man. I'm hopefully going out to the Rutland Cicle Classic for BC.

I couldn't do the Rutland event for BC as they already have me booked for a BMX event. It'll be the first one I've missed. It can be difficult to cover if you get caught up in the traffic.

[Whipspeed]

Yes, I remember traffic from last year. I'm going to be in Owlston & then the last off road section, as that's an ok transfer that I did last year. Luckily got hubby driving and friend coming to spectate, so they can drive and map read for me.