70-200 f4 is vs 70-200 2.8 is ii

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Archive 2011 · 70-200 f4 is vs 70-200 2.8 is ii

cputeq
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p.2 #1 · 70-200 f4 is vs 70-200 2.8 is ii

Here we go, the bokeh test I was referring to. These I believe are all from the 2.8 mk II, but he goes through the whole stops to show the bokeh differences.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-70-200mm-f-2.8-L-IS-II-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

The woodline seems to be maybe 20ft (not my original 10 guesstimate) or so back, and to me the 2.8 bokeh looked nicer.

Not to say the f/4 bokeh is bad, just the 2.8 was a deciding factor for me when it came time to choose.

Dec 28, 2011 at 08:00 PM

jcolwell
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p.2 #2 · 70-200 f4 is vs 70-200 2.8 is ii

NCAndy wrote:
I've never found the bokeh of the F4IS to be objectionable. Nor have I found it soft or low in contrast at longer focal lengths near mdf. I think it is a stellar lens.

The quality of bokeh is greatly affected by the nature of the background. Here's a thread I posted about the funky bokeh on my f/4L IS, which is exacerbated by the addition of an EF 1.4x Extender (Mk I), http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/948575

I've also compared bokeh from the 70-200mm f/4L IS without extender, with the f/2.8L IS Mk I and II, Mamiya A 200/2.8 APO, Leica Apo-Telyt-R 180/3.4, and Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 180/4. In terms of 'quality, or personal preference, bokeh of the Canon f/4 L IS and APO Lanthar lag far behind the f/2.8's. The Apo-Telyt is in between. YMMV.

Dec 28, 2011 at 08:08 PM

chez
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p.2 #3 · 70-200 f4 is vs 70-200 2.8 is ii

eskimochaos wrote:
Isn't IQ everything?
Nope. There are always tradeoffs between IQ ( however we measure this ) cost, weight, bulk, speed etc... Whenever we make decisions, I am sure we weigh these tradeoffs before purchasing.

Dec 28, 2011 at 08:13 PM

dwerther
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p.2 #4 · 70-200 f4 is vs 70-200 2.8 is ii

gdanmitchell wrote:
The differences, to the extent that they exist, are not "night and day" - more like 6:08 p.m. and 6:09 p.m.

Your opinion is completely subjective.... mainly since you didn't specify what day.

Pros such as Ken Rockwell know that the difference is more like 5:50 pm and 6:10 pm, on September 27th (non leap year).

Sheesh.... some people.

Dec 28, 2011 at 08:52 PM

mark petri
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p.2 #5 · 70-200 f4 is vs 70-200 2.8 is ii

I rarely pump the praise for any lens. I dumped my 70-200v1 in favor of the 70-200 f/4 when the f/4 first came out. Besides one stop slower, I felt the f/4 was at least on level playing grounds and decided to save the $ss. Just received the 70-200v2 today in fact to try out and IMHO it's well worth the premium over the f/4 now. Much sharper and better on the long end. Thrilled will it at first glance and well worth my $ and toting it around (it's not small of course like the f/4).

Dec 28, 2011 at 09:00 PM

jdben622
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p.2 #6 · 70-200 f4 is vs 70-200 2.8 is ii

In terms of overall IQ I've ranked the lenses as: MKII > drainpipe > f4 > MKI. The MKII is really stellar. The first time I used one it was CLEARLY the best white zoom Canon had produced. It was not subtle.

Dec 28, 2011 at 09:08 PM

Michaelparris
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p.2 #7 · 70-200 f4 is vs 70-200 2.8 is ii

erikburd wrote:
I bought the f/4 IS because of weight and price. It makes a difference when lugging lenses on the trails over a day or two. You will only see significant image quality differences with the f/2.8 lens if you pixel peep.

I use my 135L when I really need a fast aperture.
good point

Dec 28, 2011 at 09:14 PM

Michaelparris
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p.2 #8 · 70-200 f4 is vs 70-200 2.8 is ii

Thanks guys.....this place is so much more civil than DP

Dec 28, 2011 at 09:23 PM

jcolwell
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p.2 #9 · 70-200 f4 is vs 70-200 2.8 is ii

Michaelparris wrote:
Thanks guys.....this place is so much more civil than DP

Any time!

Dec 28, 2011 at 09:30 PM

gdsf2
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p.2 #10 · 70-200 f4 is vs 70-200 2.8 is ii

And let's all do our best to keep it this way!

Jerry

Thanks guys.....this place is so much more civil than DP

Dec 31, 2011 at 07:43 PM

Betacamman
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p.2 #11 · 70-200 f4 is vs 70-200 2.8 is ii

I'm glad for this conversation. I'm also considering moving to the 2.8 Mk2 sometime this year from my f4 IS. Thanks for the information everyone.

Jan 01, 2012 at 04:56 AM

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