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Archive 2008 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

goldscout
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p.1 #1 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

As a travel photographer I am uncertain if the 200 f2 (fine lens that it is) would have sufficient advantages over the 70 - 200 f 2.8 to justify the additional space required. When photographing street performers or dance rituals where you can't get close will the 200 f2 make that much difference. I'm not interested in "pixel peeping" differences, I want to know if people who have the lens find it really helps in those situations.

Thanks

Nov 23, 2008 at 01:17 PM

Lord Fluff
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p.1 #2 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

For travel that lens is a total no-no - unless you have someone who carries your gear for you.....

Nov 23, 2008 at 01:24 PM

dcmiller
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p.1 #3 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

I don't have the lens, but I have had the same weight 300/2.8. I'm willing to haul a lot of equipment, but I would never consider a 5 1/2 pound prime a travel lens. That much weight for shooting wild life, sure. But for people scenes I bring the 135/2. It gives a similar look and is usually a better FL.
I've considered buying the 200/2 several times. But my experience with the 300/2.8 tells me that after the initial interest in the hardware subsides I leave it at home. The 500/4 has real reach, and the 400 DO has reach at a meaningfully lower weight.
That said, I will probably purchase the 200/2 at some point. But it won't be a terribly rational purchase.
If I started posting 135/2 shots labeled as 200/2 shots people would oh and ah and say how nothing else makes images like the "200/2". In reality there's very little real world difference except shooting events like televised gymnastics.
That raises the question of "Is it worth carrying the 135/2 compared to the 200 IS". But this is a $900 1.5 pound question.

Nov 23, 2008 at 01:45 PM

Psychic1
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p.1 #4 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

I fail to see any advantage IF the 70-200L you own is the IS version.

A 1DIII's high ISO capabilities and the 70-200L 2.8 IS will probally produce better results than your 1DII/5D - 200L 2.0 IS combo with greater flexability and weight reduction.

A 5DII/50L and a 1DIII/70-200L 2.8 IS is the way I am spending my $$$.

Nov 23, 2008 at 02:00 PM

PetKal
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p.1 #5 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

Hard to see how a prime, however excellent it might be, can substitute a decently performing zoom for travel photography, especially a rather heavy, attention getting prime at that.

Granted, in our travels photography is not the first priority nor do we make any money from it. Perhaps that is why lens lightness is a key consideration while still trying to maintain good performance. The EF 70-200 f/4 fits the bill for me there.

Nov 23, 2008 at 02:45 PM

s23chang
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p.1 #6 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

I have 70-200L 2.8 IS, 35/2, 50/1.2, 58/1.2, 80/1.4, 90/2 180/2 and had 135L. I mainly use the prime only when I need the sharpest and lowest CA possible. Aside from that, 70-200L 2.8 IS is the best tool for the Canon body. The 1 stop only makes the difference when you need it. How often do you run into that situation and how much weight can you handle is really the question. The difference can be 1/60 Sec vs 1/125 Sec for night street and low light photography.

Nov 23, 2008 at 02:53 PM

dimitris77
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p.1 #7 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

What everyone else said. You must be out of your mind to drag that thing around and it also makes you look like a good mug target as well. To be honest I have found even the 70-200 f2.8 to be too heavy to drag around after a couple of hours.

Nov 23, 2008 at 02:55 PM

Lord Fluff
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p.1 #8 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

Looking at your profile the money would be far better invested in a higher resolution body so that more agencies will accept your work. 12mp ain't enough for some.....

Nov 23, 2008 at 03:25 PM

goldscout
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p.1 #9 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

Seems everyone is agreed that the answer is the money and energy to carry the lens
are better spent elsewhere.

Thanks for the input.

Nov 23, 2008 at 04:01 PM

AGeoJO
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p.1 #10 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

For travel, I would even prefer the 70-200mm f/4.0 IS.....

.

Nov 23, 2008 at 04:08 PM

ShaneEngelking
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p.1 #11 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

A 135L, however, might be a good choice.

Nov 23, 2008 at 11:56 PM

Psychic1
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p.1 #12 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

goldscout wrote:
Seems everyone is agreed that the answer is the money and energy to carry the lens
are better spent elsewhere.

Thanks for the input.

This is what happens just before the world ends. Tomorrow I'm purchasing the 200L 2.0 IS.

Nov 24, 2008 at 01:06 AM

Amy Klaver
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p.1 #13 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

I think zooms have some advantage ove rprimes when it comes to travel photography. You never know when you may need to rapidly change your focal length before a great shot opportunity disappears.

Having said that, I don't know if I'd personally recommend a 70-200 f/2.8. I currently own one and am in the process of trying to sell it. It's great if you're only using it for 1/2 hour to an hour but if you're walking around with it for 4+ hours it can become very cumbersome. I've recently held a 70-200 f/4 IS and it is worlds lighter.

Nov 24, 2008 at 01:43 AM

s23chang
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p.1 #14 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

If you also invest in the latest 5D Mk2 then F4 IS lenses would do wonders at ISO 6400. This will save you the weight for sure and you're not loosing too much qaulity of ISO 3200 vs 6400 on 5D mk2.

Nov 24, 2008 at 04:23 AM

Ariel Bravy
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p.1 #15 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

If you're willing to lug that beast of a lens around, it'll perform spectacularly.

Now whether or not it's suited for travel, I found the 70-200 IS to start getting annoyingly heavy really quick. The f4 was much better in this regard.

I guess it's a tradeoff between background blur and portability/weight. What's most important to you?

Nov 24, 2008 at 04:28 AM

dolina
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p.1 #16 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

Before reading this thread I was considering the 200/2, 14L and Carl Zeiss ZE 50mm. After reading through it appears I may drop plans for the 200/2 unless I can get it for below $4700.

As for it being a travel lens... the weight, size and cumbersomeness of it being a prime would make it a tough "sale" for me. Wouldnt the 16-35mm + 28-300mm be a good travel lens?

As for the the other 2 lenses, they are up in the air. Additional viewing area of 6 degrees and it being a prime is nice but for nearly $2000? I already have a 50mm 1.8 so I dunno if the Zeiss 50/1.4 would be a good buy.

Nov 24, 2008 at 04:33 AM

FarFarAway
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p.1 #17 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

I do use 200/F2 IS as a travel lens with 5D!
Recent trip to Thailand/Singapore F1 race at night/Maldives/Seychelles has busted the myth that it is not a travel lens.
In fact, that is the best lens I could get with me.
It is 0.5 kg lighter than 200/1.8L and very handholdable for me!
It is the base of my telephoto strategy. With 1.4x & 2x extenders it is equiv.:
280/2.8 (image quality is outstanding and all your additional autofocus points is working)
400/4 (very good but AF is somewhat slower)
560/5.6(picture is still ok when stopped 1-2 stops, but AF is starting hanging around a wee bit)
And all of that for 3kg in your backpack. LowePro's Computrekker AW holds it even with camera&hood attached.
With 5DMkII's ~2 stops of ISO advantage over 5D you'll be in nirvana

Do not listen anyone, go out and shoot!

Nov 24, 2008 at 07:03 AM

Lord Fluff
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p.1 #18 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

I don't think shooting F1 counts as 'travel' in the usual sense. Travel photography usually involves capturing the sights and people of a place, usually for sale to magazines. This does not usually involve shooting at 200mm that often, and certainly not at 560mm. Your point is that it represents a good basis for telephoto shooting - and you're right. But it's not a travel lens.

Oh, and welcome to the forums!

Nov 24, 2008 at 12:42 PM

Strid3r
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p.1 #19 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

If you ask me, 70-200 f/2.8 is already a bit heavy for a travel lens :-\

Nov 24, 2008 at 02:38 PM

HenkvdT
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p.1 #20 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

Both are not intended for travel in my opinion, but the 200 f2 seems a bit excessive in that respect. But hey, I like to travel light but somehow always end up with at least 10 kg of cameragear when hiking. So if you can take the weight the worst thing that can happen is getting a free workout..

Nov 24, 2008 at 02:39 PM

SoundHound
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p.1 #21 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

I have all these lenses and shot the equivalent of a street fair Saturday. I evolved to shooting the 200mm F2.0 (after several camera lens combinations) because it has such fast auto focus that I could capture a candid shot before someone could react and by then I was moving away to the next subject.

I did, however, leave the 300 F2.8 at home. I did see a pro with the, larger, 28-300L and fill flash. As to travel-certainly not casual travel but maybe for a photo trip.

Nov 24, 2008 at 02:49 PM

Yakim Peled
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p.1 #22 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

When I travel, I go by "less is more". Less weight makes me more portable.

Happy shooting,
Yakim.

Nov 24, 2008 at 02:52 PM

Nick Nishizaka
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p.1 #23 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

Having read through this thread, I am still going to buy this lens. I have sold my 300L F4 IS and 70-200 f2.8 IS in anticipation of this purchase.

However I agree that it's more a task specific lens than it is a general "travel" lens. To that end, I will be getting the 70-200 f4 IS as well. I have owned that lens before, and it is a great lens in its own right, but really shines as a nice and portable travel lens, relatively speaking that is!

I always wish I had the extra stop, but for travel and vacation, it's not really critical. I am there to enjoy it with my family, and convenience takes precedence over IQ.

That said, I am going to be visiting my brother and nephews in Chicago around X'mas time. I'm probably going to bring the lens. It'll fit in my rolling camera bag. And it'll give me a chance to test it out.

Nov 24, 2008 at 03:51 PM

dolina
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p.1 #24 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

If you have some shots please share. I'm trying to sell my idea to myself that dropping $4600 is worth it!FarFarAway wrote:
I do use 200/F2 IS as a travel lens with 5D!
Recent trip to Thailand/Singapore F1 race at night/Maldives/Seychelles has busted the myth that it is not a travel lens.
In fact, that is the best lens I could get with me.
It is 0.5 kg lighter than 200/1.8L and very handholdable for me!
It is the base of my telephoto strategy. With 1.4x & 2x extenders it is equiv.:
280/2.8 (image quality is outstanding and all your additional autofocus points is working)
400/4 (very good but AF is somewhat slower)
560/5.6(picture is still ok when stopped 1-2 stops, but AF is starting hanging around a wee bit)
And all of that for 3kg in your backpack. LowePro's Computrekker AW holds it even with camera&hood attached.
With 5DMkII's ~2 stops of ISO advantage over 5D you'll be in nirvana

Do not listen anyone, go out and shoot!

Nov 24, 2008 at 04:08 PM

Andrew Welsh
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p.1 #25 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?

200/2 -> Not a good "travel" lens if weight, space and portability are the primary factors vs. 70-200 or other primes (200/2.8L, 135L)

However, if you want an excuse to buy the lens, don't look for it here. Go buy it. You will love it. Be warned it has a bit of an "Eye of Sauron" effect when taking candid photos. People will notice and comment.

Also note the 200/2 will take teleconverters WAY better than the 70-200, and the IS will permit you to handhold shots at 1/60 sec at 400mm no sweat-- the 70-200 can't do that. If you need lots of reach for stage shows etc. then this lens does have advantages.

Nov 24, 2008 at 05:11 PM


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