*L* glass expert advice needed

[jeff lapoint]

needs some words of wisdom here lads and lasses...

i have, and love, an EF 70-200 f4 L, but i am starting to find that most of my shots are at 200mm (much like windoze and the 100-400L). my best and favorite lens, but i would really like to have some extra stops...

long story short, i'm thinking of selling my baby and going for a 200mm 2.8 L prime (70-200 2.8 L is not an optionhttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/bncry.gif). anyone have experience with this lens? how big a change is it going from zoom to prime?

the prime has good reviews on FM, but i'm looking for some first-hand knowledge. especially anyone who has gone from 70-200 to 200 prime.

the other rationale behind the switch is i would eventually like to toss the 1.4 extender on and i wouldnt want to lose another stop. i would want to use the lens for wildlife and sports...

my bag consists of:
18-55 kit
50 1.8
100 mm 2.8 macro
70-200 f4 L

think the addition of a prime and subtraction of zoom would leave too big a gap in my focal length coverage?

thanks for putting up with the long post and i appreciate any advice you folks have to offer.

j

[gus]

There is one more option that i have only read about but im sure waxedfruitbowl could offer advise on & that is the 135mm f/2. It has a huge rep as being one of canons sharpest lenses & still holds that sharpness with a 1.4 TC from what ive read.

This gives you a beautiful 135 prime (search for images...they are beautiful) & a 216mm prime

[Andy]

the 200 f/2.8L prime is a great lens

but it's hard to tell the diff between that lens and the 70-200 f/2.8L i.s. (or non is) becuase both lenses are excellent.

the prime is lighter. both are excellent. you should try out the prime, and see if you like it.

personally, i enjoy the flexibility of the 70-200 zoom, and the quality is just so good..

[jeff lapoint]

the 200 f/2.8L prime is a great lens

but it's hard to tell the diff between that lens and the 70-200 f/2.8L i.s. (or non is) becuase both lenses are excellent.

the prime is lighter. both are excellent. you should try out the prime, and see if you like it.

personally, i enjoy the flexibility of the 70-200 zoom, and the quality is just so good..

Thanks for both the replieshttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif

andy, how does the 2.8 prime compare to the 70-200 f4? or would you say optically the prime is about= to 70-2002.8 is is about=to 70-200 f4... in other words, is the extra cost all about speed and not optical quality?

[mercphoto]

long story short, i'm thinking of selling my baby and going for a 200mm 2.8 L prime (70-200 2.8 L is not an optionhttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/bncry.gif). anyone have experience with this lens? how big a change is it going from zoom to prime?

I rented a 200/2.8L three times and loved it so much I bought the 70-200/2.8 IS. Without a doubt the prime is lighter and easier to handle, plus much less money. I bought the zoom solely for the flexibility and the image stabilization.

If you are always at the long end, save the bucks and get the prime. I'm contemplating a 300/4 over the 100-400 for the same reason.

[jeff lapoint]

I rented a 200/2.8L three times and loved it so much I bought the 70-200/2.8 IS. Without a doubt the prime is lighter and easier to handle, plus much less money. I bought the zoom solely for the flexibility and the image stabilization.

If you are always at the long end, save the bucks and get the prime. I'm contemplating a 300/4 over the 100-400 for the same reason. thanks merchttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif the prime is the direction i'm leaning towards. later, if i ever payoff student loans and $ starts to come in, i can sell the prime and go with the 70-200 2.8 IS. just another sweet thing about the L's...they hold their valuehttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/xzicon_smile_cool.gif

** note to self: if you want lots of fast replies from experienced dgrinners...put "*L* glass" in the thread titlehttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/mwink.gif

[jeff lapoint]

thanks merchttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif the prime is the direction i'm leaning towards. later, if i ever payoff student loans and $ starts to come in, i can sell the prime and go with the 70-200 2.8 IS. just another sweet thing about the L's...they hold their valuehttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/xzicon_smile_cool.gif

** note to self: if you want lots of fast replies from experienced dgrinners...put "*L* glass" in the thread titlehttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/mwink.gif

just made up my mind to go with the prime...looks like i missed a deal on FM for $520 by about 5 minuteshttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/baldy.gif

[ian408]

Put me in the "I love my 70-200/f2.8". Can't go wrong with this baby.

Ian

[jeff lapoint]

70-200/f2.8". Can't go wrong with this baby.

Ian
someday...http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/rolleyes1.gif

but for now, ill have to settle for the prime for cash reasons. im just excited to have the extra stops at that focal length

j

coming soon to a buy and sell forum near you: a *mint* 70-200mm F4Lhttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/deal.gif

[gus]

someday...http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/rolleyes1.gif

but for now, ill have to settle for the prime for cash reasons. im just excited to have the extra stops at that focal length

j

coming soon to a buy and sell forum near you: a *mint* 70-200mm F4Lhttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/deal.gifJeff...these are someones images with a 135 l f/2 (http://www.pbase.com/roberta/canon_10d_and_135f2&page=all) & a lot have a 1.4 extender on them. 135mm + 189mm

I cant wait to use this lens. I havnt done the maths re pricing compared to other options.

[jeff lapoint]

Jeff...these are someones images with a 135 l f/2 (http://www.pbase.com/roberta/canon_10d_and_135f2&page=all) & a lot have a 1.4 extender on them. 135mm + 189mm

I cant wait to use this lens. I havnt done the maths re pricing compared to other options.
beautiful gallery...

i have heard nothing but great things about the 135L as well...but until i can sort myself out with a real job (read: no longer a student), i'll have to stick to the *cheaper L's*

everytime i start talking about L glass i could swear i hear my wife racking a shotgun somewhere...maybe its just mehttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/ne_nau.gif

[John Mueller]

Yep,the 135 f2 is one sharp lens.Im looking forward to putting to good use.
The only zooms I have are the 17-40 and the 18-55 kit.
Some day I would like to pick up a 70-200 IS

[Shakey]

needs some words of wisdom here lads and lasses...

i have, and love, an EF 70-200 f4 L, but i am starting to find that most of my shots are at 200mm (much like windoze and the 100-400L). my best and favorite lens, but i would really like to have some extra stops...

long story short, i'm thinking of selling my baby and going for a 200mm 2.8 L prime (70-200 2.8 L is not an optionhttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/bncry.gif). anyone have experience with this lens? how big a change is it going from zoom to prime?

the prime has good reviews on FM, but i'm looking for some first-hand knowledge. especially anyone who has gone from 70-200 to 200 prime.

the other rationale behind the switch is i would eventually like to toss the 1.4 extender on and i wouldnt want to lose another stop. i would want to use the lens for wildlife and sports...

my bag consists of:
18-55 kit
50 1.8
100 mm 2.8 macro
70-200 f4 L

think the addition of a prime and subtraction of zoom would leave too big a gap in my focal length coverage?

thanks for putting up with the long post and i appreciate any advice you folks have to offer.

jI bought the 200 f/2.8L recently and I love it it is fast, light, tack sharp ,BLACK,affordable and I do not want to take this lens off my camera.

Its bokeh is silky butterry smooth. I love all aspects of this lens. I dont regret not having a zoom to this length.
I will in the future own a versitile zoom walk around L lens ala 16-35 f/2.8and a bigma.

The 200 is the focal length I am choosing for my kids baseball.

Examples: of shots with this lens
http://shakey.smugmug.com/photos/17875835-L.jpg

http://shakey.smugmug.com/photos/16824763-L.jpg


I am very happy with this lens.


Tim

[gus]

beautiful gallery...

i have heard nothing but great things about the 135L as well...but until i can sort myself out with a real job (read: no longer a student), i'll have to stick to the *cheaper L's*

everytime i start talking about L glass i could swear i hear my wife racking a shotgun somewhere...maybe its just mehttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/ne_nau.gif$840 USD isnt a lot for L....

Say this next bit in an old Gypsy womans voice with a Romanian accent.

"Loooook into the picture jeeeefff.....looookkkk into the picture.." (http://www.pbase.com/chinchin_ch/image/33289599)




.

[jeff lapoint]

$840 USD isnt a lot for L....

Say this next bit in an old Gypsy womans voice with a Romanian accent.

"Loooook into the picture jeeeefff.....looookkkk into the picture.." (http://www.pbase.com/chinchin_ch/image/33289599)




.
duuuude....thats just plain mean.

amazing photo...but still freakin meanhttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/icon10.gif

[jeff lapoint]

I bought the 200 f/2.8L recently and I love it it is fast, light, tack sharp ,BLACK,affordable and I do not want to take this lens off my camera.

Its bokeh is silky butterry smooth. I love all aspects of this lens. I dont regret not having a zoom to this length.
I will in the future own a versitile zoom walk around L lens ala 16-35 f/2.8and a bigma.

The 200 is the focal length I am choosing for my kids baseball.

Examples: of shots with this lens
http://shakey.smugmug.com/photos/17875835-L.jpg

http://shakey.smugmug.com/photos/16824763-L.jpg


I am very happy with this lens.


Tim


great photos tim. thanks for the reassurance. cant wait to get my hands on this bad boy...http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif