Canon 70-200 F4 IS VS 70-200 F2.8 IS Which one....
Hi All. I have the 2.8 IS. Worked my way up to it from the F4, to the plain 2.8 to the IS version. But it is a heavy lens, and when out in the field or at a show with 2-3 other lens with all the weight adds up. Anyone done a side my side comparison of these 2 lenses? The Canon rep commented that the F4 IS was a very sharp piece of glass, but could not give me a comparison, and I have not seen any online? Has anyone else? If so please let me know. Thanks
Re: Canon 70-200 F4 IS VS 70-200 F2.8 IS Which one....
You can do a measure of side-by-side comparison here (I hope the link works--if not, adjust the form accordingly). I just wouldn't want to put too much stock in shooting a test chart.
I don't have the f/4, but everything I've read about it suggests it's a phenomenal performer. If you're looking for a smaller, lighter package, and can give up the stop, you might be in luck. If the risk is tolerable, you might consider ordering one and using it side-by-side with your f/2.8 for a few weeks, then sell the one you aren't preferring?
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
Re: Canon 70-200 F4 IS VS 70-200 F2.8 IS Which one....
Quote:
Originally Posted by AKPhotos
Hi All. I have the 2.8 IS. Worked my way up to it from the F4, to the plain 2.8 to the IS version. But it is a heavy lens, and when out in the field or at a show with 2-3 other lens with all the weight adds up. Anyone done a side my side comparison of these 2 lenses? The Canon rep commented that the F4 IS was a very sharp piece of glass, but could not give me a comparison, and I have not seen any online? Has anyone else? If so please let me know. Thanks
My brief experience test shooting a single sample of the *original* 70-200 f/4L was that it had very strong vignetting and it was definitely no sharper than the 70-200 f/2.8L IS. Vignetting is not normally an issue that concerns me, but f/8 was required to get decent illumination across the frame, and f/11 to make the corners sharp.
Perhaps the new "IS" model *is* significantly sharper (I'm doubtful, but also ignorant of the facts), but with IS adding several elements, overall contrast might be worse, even with the new coatings. Still, the big hangup with the non-"IS" version was the high shutter speed required for handheld shooting at 200mm; the IS version should help greatly, and allow f/5.6 or f/8 instead of f/4 while achieving similar sharpness.
That said, the weight difference feels vast, and it's a heck of a lot friendlier to carry, whether around one's neck or in the bag.
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White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
Re: Canon 70-200 F4 IS VS 70-200 F2.8 IS Which one....
I sold my f/2.8 non IS and got the f/4 IS and have never been happier. It is sharp wide open, no vignetting to speak of, and the IS is really sweet. It's also a lot smaller and lighter, but the f/2.8 never bothered me in that regard.
__________________ Ted Wilson
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
I have both versions of the f/4 lens and agree with the comparisons of the two in the above article. Also, I do not have vignetting problems with either lens.
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
Last edited by AndrewCassino; 05-05-2007 at 02:33 PM.
Canon 70-200 F4 IS VS 70-200 F2.8 IS Which one.... 
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