What do you use your 70-200 f4 IS lens for?

So I have a strange situation where my least used lens is the 70-200mm IS lens. For travel I mostly use the 24-105, 50 1.4 and the 100 f2. For wildlife I use the 100-400. For portraits I use the 100 f2 most of the time and sometimes the 50 1.4. The result is that even when I travel with the 70-200, I rarely use it. It's long, white and calls attention; so I find it to be a pretty uncomfortable travel lens. Due to lack of use I'm considering selling it. Am I being unimaginative with this lens? What do you use it for?

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Canon 5D, Canon 50D, Canon 100 f2, Canon 100-400 IS, Canon 50 1.4, Canon 24-105mm IS, Canon 70-200mm f4 IS, Tamron Pro 1.4TC, Speedlite 430EX, Feisol 3402 + Giotto ballhead.

I find that the range of the 70-200 is much more useful for a full frame camera than for a crop frame camera.  I use my 70-200 non IS in the studio all the time for portraits where I shoot mainly at f8.  Outdoors, I use either the 70-200 f2.8 L IS or 85 mm f1.8.  All this is for a full frame camera.

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Jim
http://www.pbase.com/jcassatt

I primarily use it as an outdoor "people" lens, mostly to shoot my grandkids.



Lovely photos. I guess I need to think of it more often as a portrait lens.

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http://bvphotos.smugmug.com
Canon 5D, Canon 50D, Canon 100 f2, Canon 100-400 IS, Canon 50 1.4, Canon 24-105mm IS, Canon 70-200mm f4 IS, Tamron Pro 1.4TC, Speedlite 430EX, Feisol 3402 + Giotto ballhead.

Landscape:

Mt Washington, NH, about 70mm on full frame

Mt Washington, 200 mm on full frame

No wonder it's your least used lens ........overlap .......without the 70-200 you've got everything from 24-400 covered without factoring in the 1.4xTC or crop factor since you can switch to either body.

My lineup is different but the 70-200f/4IS is a vital part of it, moreso when used with a 1.4x TC since it fits snugly between my 24-105 and 300. The only other lens I have is the 100/2.8L macro.

To justify keeping your 70-200 perhaps you'll need to rearrange your lineup to see if you can do without some of the others, i.e. selling the 100f/2 or 100-400 in favor of the 400f/5.6 prime,......if not then you really don't need it.........

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Regards,
Hank
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8005/6997474606_5ac9d3a442_m.jpg

Spot on. I also use it for outdoor portraiture.

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See photo's at http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexbondsmith/
Website http://www.alexbondsmithphotography.co.za/

landscapes.

wildlife.

sports.

and just about everything else.  i absolutely love this lens.

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my galleries: http://erader.zenfolio.com/ http://www.fototime.com/E3B2CB645E60402/orig.jpg

Have to say that it is the 70-200mm f4 L USM, not the 70-200mm f4 L IS USM.



beautiful shots, friend. i had to compliment you although i'm in bit of a hurry right now.

Danieka Borthwick retrieving a drop shot - clockwise from bottom left.

Bournemouth $10K Tournament.

Forehand Drive from Liam Broady.

Bournemouth $10K Tournament.



One foot of flying Francesca.

Francesca Stephenson at the Bournemouth $10K Tournament.

Is this my Best Side?

Owl and Hawk Conservancy Trust, Andover.

Are you listening to me?

Otters at the Cotswold Wildlife Park.

Christmas Show. ISO 3200.

Francesca Stephenson at the Bournemouth $10K Tournament.

Puffins on Staffa.

They are so friendly they got too close to use my 400mm lens.

Where's My Mum?

Fledgeling in my Garden.



Robin - Garden Watching.

Thank you, that is very nice of you : )

With my 60D it is great for high school softball, outdoor portraits, and zoo.  With my new full-frame will have to see.

On a crop body and with the 1.4 TC I can get up to 450mm of reach. (200 is my longest FL).

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http://jo-ko-fo-to.net - www.pbase.com/jo_ko

I absolutely love the bear shots, but how did you get closer enough to take these without being in danger? Bab

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/28700476@N08/

These are great.  You guys have to tell me how you get so close to bears without getting mauled.  Bab

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/28700476@N08/

Good solid colours on your images. I use mine on my 7D & it's a joy to shoot with. Sharpest lens in my bag, & wouldn't swap for a 2.8. It's portability puts it top for me.

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lee uk.
There are old pilots, & there are bold pilots, but there are no old bold pilots.

It's a pretty versatile lens.

for the two bears I was in the car. For the single bear we had a guide named Buck Wild :-).  you're not supposed to  get that close to the bears in katmai techie positioned ourselves so the bear approached us.  If you look at my Alaska pics you'll see plenty of close encounters.  Amazing trip.

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my galleries: http://erader.zenfolio.com/ http://www.fototime.com/E3B2CB645E60402/orig.jpg