*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 option). 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

andy wrote:

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 replies

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

jeff lapoint wrote:

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 option). 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

mercphoto wrote:

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 merc 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 value

** note to self: if you want lots of fast replies from experienced dgrinners...put "*L* glass" in the thread title

jeff lapoint

jeff lapoint wrote:

thanks merc 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 value

** note to self: if you want lots of fast replies from experienced dgrinners...put "*L* glass" in the thread title

just made up my mind to go with the prime...looks like i missed a deal on FM for $520 by about 5 minutes

ian408

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

Ian

jeff lapoint

ian408 wrote:

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

Ian

someday...

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 F4L

gus

jeff lapoint wrote:

someday...

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 F4L

Jeff...these are someones images with a 135 l f/2 & 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

Humungus wrote:

Jeff...these are someones images with a 135 l f/2 & 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 me

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

jeff lapoint wrote:

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 option). 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

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





I am very happy with this lens.


Tim

gus

jeff lapoint wrote:

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 me

$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.."




.

jeff lapoint

Humungus wrote:

$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.."




.

duuuude....thats just plain mean.

amazing photo...but still freakin mean

jeff lapoint

Shakey wrote:

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





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...