Help The 70-200 dilemma

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Ian.Dobinson
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p.1 #1 · Help The 70-200 dilemma

Ok guys ,
I currently shoot with a 7D , I've just bought a 17-55 IS which I think is fabulous

.
I used to shoot (still have at the moment) a 24-105L which I thought was good but I'm liking the 17-55 more . I also have a 80-200L and a 100-400L

Now I like both the long zooms loads. I love the 80-200 to bits

but I am also aware of a couple of its minor short commings .
AF could be better (not the fastest and does not like servo mode that much), heavy (not always great to carry if I want to go light) , no IS (don't know if it's the caffeine or something else but I notice im not the steadiest of hand)

So I'm intending on selling the 24-105 and using the money towards a 70-200 . Question is what one.

If I go with option 1 or 2 I keep the lens I love but add a lens that has IS and is smaller an lighter for when I don't want cart the heavier gear around (I know to some of you a 2.8 zoom and non 1 series IS your lightweight travel gear

)

If I go with option 3 I gain a lens that is probably even better than my pipe but I loose a smaller option in my bag.

Oh and the 100-400 stays for now as its used for specific purposes.

Aug 21, 2012 at 12:09 AM

PetKal
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p.1 #2 · Help The 70-200 dilemma

Frankly, my dear Dolby, your options #1 and #2 create liitle else except duplication.
I say sacrifice the Pipe for the Stabpipe. Then you'll know that you have the best.

Furthermore, you may wish to sacrifice 100-400 for a brace of TCs: 1.4xTC MkIII and 2xTC MkIII.

Now, you have a very capable kit built around one lens and two MkIII TCs.

Aug 21, 2012 at 12:18 AM

onegreatcity
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p.1 #3 · Help The 70-200 dilemma

Not to stir the pot Ian, but do you need two lenses covering the same basic range? What about selling both the 24-105 AND the pipe in order to fund a 70-200 f/2.8 IS II?

I know you love the pipe (I admit that I miss mine) but you'd gain a stop over the f/4 IS and acquire an acknowledged IQ leader in that FL with the 2.8 II.

Just thinking thoughts here...

Aug 21, 2012 at 12:21 AM

onegreatcity
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p.1 #4 · Help The 70-200 dilemma

D'oh! Peter scooped me by 3 minutes!!

Aug 21, 2012 at 12:22 AM

Ian.Dobinson
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p.1 #5 · Help The 70-200 dilemma

onegreatcity wrote:
Not to stir the pot Ian, but do you need two lenses covering the same basic range? What about selling both the 24-105 AND the pipe in order to fund a 70-200 f/2.8 IS II?

Ok so that 2 for option 3

But as for the question of 2 lenses same range. That's true but the f4 being half the weight (ish) and a noticeable size smaller will get it used a lot more when I just can't face lugging the 2.8 option around on the off chance it will get used.

If I go the stab pipe route I know I'd be adding a 70-300 (non L) of some type as well

Aug 21, 2012 at 12:27 AM

Greg Mangione
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p.1 #6 · Help The 70-200 dilemma

Just a thought, but depending on what you are shooting, 2.8, IS AND great AF could be a needed combination thus making 1 & 2 not so great. I have the F4 IS and LOVE it. It is just an incredible lens. While I would love to have 2.8, the F4 gets me by really well and the IS is just incredible. By all accounts, the MK2 2.8 is just incredible. If I could afford it, I would probably have it. I've also heard good things about the 70-300, but after going to all constant aperture lenses, I don't think I can go back to a variable lens... but ultimately it boils down to your budget and type of shooting you do. (as everyone will tell you and you already know)
But for a personal opinion, again, I think I would go with the lens that would do what I need, rather than have a lens I *think* will do it only to find it's not the needed combo for the job.

Aug 21, 2012 at 12:27 AM

Ian.Dobinson
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p.1 #7 · Help The 70-200 dilemma

Peter my friend.
Seriously can the stabpipe and a brace of TC's really take the place of the 100-400 . I mean in things like AF speed/accuracy as well as iq ?
I know the 100-400 is no speed demon in te AF department so if the stab + 2X is any slower im not sure I'd be able to consider it. Especially as it seems a brace of mk3 tc's would probably cost as much as I'd get for the 100-400 , so selling it probably won't add to the stab pipe fund anyway.

Aug 21, 2012 at 12:32 AM

StillFingerz
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p.1 #8 · Help The 70-200 dilemma

Great white glass newbie here...what is the Stabpipe, please enlighten

Ian, my most used zoom is the 70-200 f4L IS. It's fast and light weight and takes the 1.4x II quite well, this c5 quadriplegic can carry it and a gripped 40D all day/night. I love shooting with this lens!

Weight is an issue for me given my disability, if my grip and arm strength were better I'd most likely have bought the older f2.8 back in 08, the f2.8 vII looks mighty fine and images posted here on FM with both vIII TC's look pretty good IMO.

I'm just starting to shoot with a 300 f4L IS...it's weight gives me hope that with a bit more strength I might be able to handle the new 70-200 or the 100-400L...we'll see how things go next yr!

Just my .02

Jerry

Aug 21, 2012 at 12:54 AM

PetKal
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p.1 #9 · Help The 70-200 dilemma

Ian.Dobinson wrote:
Peter my friend.
Seriously can the stabpipe and a brace of TC's really take the place of the 100-400 . I mean in things like AF speed/accuracy as well as iq ?
I know the 100-400 is no speed demon in te AF department so if the stab + 2X is any slower im not sure I'd be able to consider it. Especially as it seems a brace of mk3 tc's would probably cost as much as I'd get for the 100-400 , so selling it probably won't add to the stab pipe fund anyway.

Ian, my Stabpipe + 2xTC MkIII gives IQ which is only marginally lower than my 100-400. Yes, you can see it, but I do not think it is of critical magnitude. In addition, the combo is perhaps a bit more sluggish than the 100-400.

However, where you'd gain is that the 400 f/5.6 combo will have 4 stop IS, compared to 2 stop IS of 100-400. A better MFD too (1.2m vs. 1.8m), and a much higher magnification factor.
Furthermore, the MkIII TCs are obviously a general type of an investment where you may wish to use them on a variety of lenses, not only the Stabpipe.
Lastly, there could be trips you will undertake where you'd be able to take only one lens (i.e., the Stabpipe) + the TC, instead of two lenses, i.e., a 70(80)-200 zoom + 100-400. Some luggage size/weight saved there.

Here are two of my resolving power test shots with handheld 1DMkIIN + 70-200 f/2.8 IS MkII + 2xTC MkIII.
About 30% enlargement crop.

Edited on Aug 21, 2012 at 09:07 AM · View previous versions

Aug 21, 2012 at 01:28 AM

PetKal
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p.1 #10 · Help The 70-200 dilemma

StillFingerz wrote:
Great white glass newbie here...what is the Stabpipe, please enlighten

Jerry, that is a moniker Ian & Co. came up with for 70-200 f/2.8 IS MkII (Stabilised Pipe= Stabpipe)

Aug 21, 2012 at 01:30 AM

StillFingerz
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p.1 #11 · Help The 70-200 dilemma

PetKal wrote:
StillFingerz wrote:
Great white glass newbie here...what is the Stabpipe, please enlighten

Jerry, that is a moniker Ian & Co. came up with for 70-200 f/2.8 IS MkII (Stabilised Pipe= Stabpipe)

Thank you Sir, btw, really cool pijun shots you just posted in the "Summer" thread, thought the 2nd was amazing, that inflight pose looks much like a few that ImageMaster takes of Bald Eagles...birds of a feather...nice shooting Peter

Aug 21, 2012 at 01:39 AM

Ralph Conway
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p.1 #12 · Help The 70-200 dilemma

What about selling the 80-200 and purchasing the 70-300?
Or the 70-200 4.0 L IS USM. or the 2.8?
The 70-200 4.0 to me is by far the best zoom available (yes, 2.8 overcomes it - but at what weight!).
What made the drainpipe magic imo was that there was no competitor two decade ago. Competitors have been 4.5- 5.6 and no L´s. In IQ I would expect all three newer options beat it (I can not say for sure if 70-300 does - but it clearly beats it´s range at an amazing IQ). Because of USM they all do in AF-speed, too. Except the 2.8 L IS USM they weight less. And all have a fantastic IS (I am an old boy now and I would never purchase a lens without IS again if there is an affordable IS option).

Ralph

Aug 21, 2012 at 07:00 AM

dhphoto
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p.1 #13 · Help The 70-200 dilemma

For me the 70-200 2.8L was a poor buy. The work I did never really needed f2.8 and it was too big to cart around.

I bought a 70-200 f4 IS last year and use it all the time, it's razor sharp with phenomenal IS and is nice and small.

I'd say it depends how much you want f2.8

Aug 21, 2012 at 07:54 AM

rebelshooter
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p.1 #14 · Help The 70-200 dilemma

Now I have not owned an 80-200 nor have I owned a 70-200 f4IS.
I have owned a non IS f4 and I currrently own the Mk II.
Unless weight is an issue, you will not regret the Mk II in any way.
Only way I can see anyone having any regret for it would be if the
weight caused you to leave it at home.
I say sell the 24-105, sell the pipe, buy the 2.8 Mk II and not look back.

Aug 21, 2012 at 08:37 AM

reno.peterson
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p.1 #15 · Help The 70-200 dilemma

"Chiming in"...

As an "Honorary" original Pipe Club member, and I recall the day of admission very well!!! I traveled over the hills and far away, and sat at a Starbucks with a gentleman selling the "Perfect" Pipe. I still thank Peter to this day for that recommendation!!! Shoot, I PM'd him the moment got within range of a computer...

I'm going to say move the Magic Drain Pipe and replace it with the New 70-200 f/2.8L IS II USM!!! It wasn't easy for me to do twice!!! As for the suggestions to replace the 100-400L with a set of 1.4XIII and 2XIII teleconvertors, your on your own there!!!

The "Stabpipe" is a superb lens!!!
Even my wife gave it some serious admiration comments one night while telling her Dad about it's capabilities (only in hearsay, ad she isn't a photographer, but she gets it too!!! She also knows how much I admired the Pipe).

Aug 21, 2012 at 10:16 AM

PetKal
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p.1 #16 · Help The 70-200 dilemma

It's good that you have chimed in, Reno.
The irony of life........some of us who are the original Pipe Club members are now pipeless, or might become pipeless like Ian.

However, sooner or later I shall get my final Pipe again.

Aug 21, 2012 at 10:26 AM

reno.peterson
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p.1 #17 · Help The 70-200 dilemma

I view the "Club" as a very esteemed group !!! "Once in the Pipe Club, always in the Pipe Club !!!"

Aug 21, 2012 at 10:44 AM

retrofocus
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p.1 #18 · Help The 70-200 dilemma

My recommendation: 70-200/4 IS and for some faster speed if needed 135/2. You can always add a 1.4x teleconverter (does not need to be the latest version!) to make it a 189/2.8 lens. Both save weight, and the 135/2 gives you one stop more than even with the 70-200/2.8 II.
The 135/2 option comes without IS obviously, but at least for me I never missed the IS here. I mostly use it wide open, and I can set the exposure time in a way to compensate for the lack of IS.

Aug 21, 2012 at 11:09 AM

Jack0207
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p.1 #19 · Help The 70-200 dilemma

Go the 2.8 mkii to compliment the 17-55. I have the exact same setup and just upgraded from the 70-200f4 to the mkii and couldn't be happier. Yes it weighs more but the weight is worth the extra versatility of the lens.

Aug 21, 2012 at 11:46 AM

john_edwards
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p.1 #20 · Help The 70-200 dilemma

I'm in the minority here but I'd say get the 70-300L, its light weight, latest IS, and no slouch in the image dept. Save the pipe as "My best old lens ever" and use the savings (over the 70-200 II) for something else. No need for 1.4 either, so more savings.

Aug 21, 2012 at 12:08 PM

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