I want to get the best zoom I can get but not spend the bucks of a F2.8. I keep hearing of back focusing problems with this lens and the D20. Would this be a bad choice? What might be an alternative? I have a 17-85 IS already. I will be shooting mostly nature and wildlife.
Great lens that is a super bargin in the L line. I don't think that the back focus issues were spicific to the 20D. There have been a mess of folks who have had focus issues with these, but remember that those with perfect samples tend to be much less vocal. I was one of those who had a great, great copy of this lens.
Piick up one from a reliable seller here on the B&S board and you should be fine.
As for alternatives there really aren't any that match the combo of price and performance that the 70-200 f/4 has. The 200 f/2.8 L is a super lens for similar money, very, very sharp and a stop faster, but no zoom. The Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 is well liked by many, but resale will be less and the purchaase price is higher, you would get a nice sharp zoom with an extra stop though. The Canon "Magic Drain Pipe" 80-200 f/2.8 would be another possibility, but prices have been very high of late, up around a good used 70-200 f/2.8 non IS.
Im learning the hard way that a 70-200/2.8 + 1.4x is not enough for nature, just an FYI. 70-200/4 is supposed to be a great lens and if you are going to shoot daytime club and high school sports you can definately use it. If you want to shoot nature look at the 400/5.6 (my next lens purchase) or the 300/4 IS, either is $900-1000 used.
I'll agree with what everyone's stated already. My copy of the lens is super sharp and has no focus issues. But it's not in indoor lens, and you shouldn't expect it to be. I've found it a great focal length for shooting indoor sports, but just not fast enough to get consistantly good results.
I don't know how many threads I've read about problems with just about every lens ever built. No matter what it is somebody out there has gripe. I've got the 70-200 f4 and use it with both my 10d and 20d. As long as you have enough light its an excellent lens. Absolutely no complaints with my copy, which happened to have been returned to a local Shutterbug because of "back focus" problems. Saved $50 and came away with an excellent lens. IMO - one of, if not the, best lens you can buy for the $.
I have the 70-200f4l and use it with my 300D and I will be able to tell you if there are any focusing issues with the 20D on tuesday when I get mine. However, I know several people who have had the 70-200f4L who bought the 70-300IS that just came out and they said they like it better....does anyone have the 70-300ISUSM?
This is a very good lens.Ofcourse it needs good light to get the great resaults that it is capable to produce.For the comparison 70-300IS-70-200mmL f4 do a search and you will find many many threads.
The 70-200/4 is an excellent lens. Very good optics and much better build qualitiy than 70-300/IS and also better than the 70-300/DO. But need to use a tripod more often and should get a tripod collor which is quite expensive
