p.2 #1 · 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.
p.2 #3 · 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.
p.2 #4 · 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
p.2 #5 · 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.
p.2 #6 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?
Nick Nishizaka wrote:
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!
................
Have you found it under $5K U.S. dollars? Any one know typical dealer cost? (I do understand it varies with volume).
The 70-200 4 IS is great and meaningfully lighter than the 2.8. That will be a great match with the 200. I saw some good Canadian prices on the 70-200, but not the 200 2.0.
p.2 #8 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?
Due to the fact it's one copy left at $4698 I'm sending the link to you privately. If you won't get it please post the link here.
The $4600 price was a typo... sorry My Philippines brick and mortar source can get it for me for the equivalent of $4679.58 and boy oh boy I am tempted to get it.
PetKal wrote:
Paolo, where can you get the new 200 f/2 IS for $4.6k US ?
p.2 #9 · advantages of 200 f2 over 70 - 200 for travel?
Paolo Dolina wrote:
Due to the fact it's one copy left at $4698 I'm sending the link to you privately. The $4600 price was a typo... sorry PetKal wrote:
You seem to be a very considerate man, Paolo, thank you.
However, I was just curios. Only god and my wife know that I don't need another one. Now, the 200 f/1.8....that's a different matter.....I suppose having 2-3 of those is not too many .....just in case.
My Philippines brick and mortar source can get it for me for the equivalent of $4679.58 and boy oh boy I am tempted to get it.