13Oct Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS, the lens I’ve been dreaming about.
The Canon 70-200mm f2.8 II is a lens I’ve always wanted to own. If you have a crop sensor camera like the Canon 7d then the 70-200mm ends up being a 112-320mm equivalent. I’ve had more then one chance to play around with it, and a few times I’ve actually been able to take it out for a day. At 200mm (320mm equivalent) f2.8 gives you a very shallow depth of field and the built in IS does a great job of keeping the lenses stable, the auto focus feels fast and smooth, the build feels great and everything about the lens screams buy me.
Sure you could pick up a lens like the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 and you’ll end up saving around $800 with the same focal length, but once you’ve handled the Canon 70-200mm f2.8 and the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 you’ll understand the difference in feel. I wish I’d been able to handle both of these lenses at the same time, but sadly I spent a day with the Canon one weekend and a day with the Sigma another weekend. I can’t set them side by side, but even with the weekends between lenses It really seemed like the focus on the Canon 70-200mm out preformed anything I was able to get with the Sigma.
Both lenses are very large and I don’t normally enjoy the look of a white lens, but the feel of the Canon 70-200mm was a step up from the Sigma, the focus rings moves smoother, the IS switch feels better and over all the image quality of the Canon 70-200mm f2.8 II seemed to be better. When I say “better” for the most part I mean auto focus, it seemed like no matter what I tried the Sigma would always end up giving me a soft image. With the Canon 70-200mm it seemed like almost ever shot I took was ultra sharp.
Tamron also makes a 70-200mm f2.8 model that I haven’t had a chance to play around with, so I have no idea how it stacks up against these other lenses. Tamron’s offering is around $400 less then Sigma’s and I think I might need to find a someone who is willing to let me play around with it.
The Canon 70-200mm f2.8 II feels nice and does a great job, but I wonder, once the honey moon is over, will I just go back to using my favorite prime lenses and have something like the 70-200mm lens wasting space in my bag. It’s hard to imagine packing light with a lens that weighs over 3 pounds and adds 12 plus inches to your camera body.
I might have to rent all three of these lenses for a week and give them a full set of tests before I decide to spend my tax return on a lens in this price range. The thought of switching over to Ramen Noodles for a few months didn’t seem like a bad idea when I held the Canon 70-200mm f2.8 in my hand. Maybe I’ll hunt around for a and get the price down around the cost of Sigma’s offering.
October 14th, 2011 at 1:14 am
Hey Deejay! Like you this is a lens I will have in my stable. As a Canon Professional Services member (Silver $100 year) I get the opportunity to borrow for 2 weeks at a time any Lens canon makes all I pay for is return insured shipping so only cost me about $35. I had the opportunity to get my hands on this lens for my very first wedding shoot a couple of weeks ago! SWEEEET!!! Here are the requirements to get CPS status with Canon http://usa.canon.com/cusa/professional/standard_display/CPS_Member
October 14th, 2011 at 3:18 am
I don’t know, I’ve read great things about the mark II version, but I’m still sticking to my Mark I version. They can pry it from my cold dead hands! =)
October 14th, 2011 at 7:54 am
Deejay, I also have this lens on my wish list. I have used it a couple of times myself.
I am going to see if B&H will send me all three to review at the same time.
October 14th, 2011 at 9:41 am
I wouldn’t worry about it being a space waster. One of the guys I work with on a regular basis has the 70-200, and we use it on almost every shoot. If it isn’t the primary camera, it makes a great lens for a B-Camera to be placed off out of frame.
October 14th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
I just sold my 70-200 in order to buy some video gear since I’m getting more and more into video. Man, what a mistake! I really miss this lens 🙁
October 14th, 2011 at 5:03 pm
I have recorded this movie with 50mm canon 1.8 and 70-200 sigma… Afkorse I have used 2.8f. I haven’t used any filters 🙁
This is the product.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Inm1Y4enKR0
October 14th, 2011 at 5:03 pm
p.s great lens for this price…
Borrowed
October 16th, 2011 at 4:56 pm
Deejay,
According to DP Review some time ago, the Tamron 70-200 did out-perform the Sigma 70-200 in image quality, but, the Sigma was better in overall handling. Since then, however, the Sigma has been updated and the Tamron has not.
I would assume that the current version of the Sigma is better overall than the Tamron. Keep in mind that I have done no tests to prove this. It’s just a hunch from reading some reviews over a year ago.
October 17th, 2011 at 5:30 pm
I’d say just go down to your local camera store and set them side by side. If they are a company that values business they will let you mess around with them for a while. That’s what I love about my “local” camera store.
October 17th, 2011 at 9:55 pm
Wish I had a local camera store.
October 18th, 2011 at 1:51 am
We have a tamron 70-200 and it is a very good lens and not only considering the price. It competes with ease with the non-IS older Canon.
If IS is not important (tripod use) then I highly recommend the Tamron lens
October 18th, 2011 at 2:22 am
Looking forward to an extended review on all the lenses Deejay!!! I dont know how well its stack up to its competitors but I currently own the Conan 70-200 and it is a “Monster Lens” The only real downside to this lens is its .Price and its .Weight other than that its worth having if you are going to use it!!