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technic wrote:
Wouldn't a 2.8/200L be a better choice for BIF? Yes I know the brighter ones are optically superior (in theory at least), but how often do you use f/2 or even f/2.8 for in flight shots? It probably offers creative possibilities, but most of the time it just means way to little DOF ... The bigger aperture might help with focus speed/accuracy, however the lens elements that have to be moved are also much bigger, so I doubt AF is much faster on the extra-right models (the f/2.8 already has really fast AF). And the lighter lens is much easier to handle, which should be an advantage except for very slow flight....Show more →
We all shake differently.
Some have a low frequency wobble, some exhibit a high frequency tremour, and many are in between. I happen to be in a hi frequency shaker group. Therefore, for hand-held use I favour heavier lenses such as 200 f/2.0, compared to 200 f/2.8, because they attenuate such high frequency shake of my hands.
Moreover, 200 f/2 is equipped with a 4 stop IS which aids steadiness even more. When shooting with 200 f/2 I find AF to be significantly more responsive than with any f/2.8 lens, which is due to its fast aperture, and it is not dependent much on the lens AF drive max speed. In fact, regardless of whether we look at 600 f/4 lens or 200 f/2.8 lens, the focusing element group is in the narrow end of the lens, and those groups for different lenses are all of a similar low weight order of magnitude. The ring USMs can drive any of them as fast as need be.
(However, I think people place way too much stock on max speed of lens AF drive. For example, 85L has a terribly slow AF drive, yet in many instances the lens allows very responsive and accurate auto focusing. In fact, in really low light, the setup based on 85L will outfocus just about anything else. )
So, yes, I like 200 f/2.8 a lot, but in my eyes 200 f/2 is in another performance league.
(Needless to say, where weight and fatigue is (becomes) a factor, then one would do better with a light lens such as 200 f/2.8.)
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