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Upgrade from 70-200 f/4 IS to 70-200 f/2.8 II L or Buy 135/f2

Started Dec 1, 2015 | Discussions thread
Nick5
Nick5 Senior Member • Posts: 1,664
Re: Upgrade from 70-200 f/4 IS to 70-200 f/2.8 II L or Buy 135/f2

Alexis wrote:

Some really good answers with many respondents leaning towards the 70200 f/2.8II.

As I said in a previous posting, if you look at my original post (where I describe my gear) the issue perhaps is "body-related" rather than "lens-related". You see, in a wedding situation I frequently wear my BlackRapid twin strap with 2 bodies hanging off it - my 5DIII which for me offers everything that I could want from a wedding camera, and my crop 50D which is beautifully built, handles just likes a 5D but with the obvious disadvantages of a crop body lacking great low-light capability.

My trust in the Sigma 24-105 f/4 Art and the usefulness of the zoom range in a wedding scenario, means that I shoot large parts of the wedding as follows (use shown in brackets):

5DIII + Sigma 24-105 f/4Art (60%) == Canon 70-200 (25%) == Canon 85mm (15%)
50D + Canon 70-200 f/4 L IS (40%) == Canon 85mm (40%) == Sigma 10-20 (20%)

This configuration is not IDEAL by virtue of the fact that I end up using good glass (85mm f/1.8 and the 70-200 f/4L IS) on my crop camera (50D) so perhaps my solution (to improved results) might be a body upgrade (50D to 6D perhaps) instead of a lens upgrade.

Your thoughts?

Alexis --
http://www.alexisimages.com
http://alexis.smugmug.com
http://www.pbase.com/alexis

Alexis.

Years ago I bought the 70-200 f/4 L IS because it was smaller, lighter and was out performing the then 70-200 f/2.8 L IS Mark Version 1. Used it for a couple of years and then added the newly introduced 70-200 f/2.8 L IS Mark II. A tough act to follow as it does not disappoint. The Size and Weight were not and still not an issue today. For a few years the 70-200 f/4 L IS sat in the corner waiting to see the light of day.

As I am now on the other side of 50, I decided to take out my old trusty 70-200 f/4 more and more, when the situation allows. I am sure glad I did not sell the f/4 as it really is a great lens.

When shooting weddings the 70-200 f/2.8 L IS Mark II gets top billing. However the f/4 L IS is in the bag ready to go as a more than capable back up.

Go to your local shop and compare the two lenses side by side. There is a real significant weight difference. Since this is a concern, you may end up buying it, but not using it enough because of the factor of weight.

If you feel it is too heavy, I like the idea of adding a second body instead. Since you have a 5D Mark III I would add another to your Arsenal as did I. Having both bodies with same features and button layout is very important in the workflow of a wedding.

 Nick5's gear list:Nick5's gear list
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Canon EF 85mm F1.8 USM Canon EF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS II USM Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II +8 more
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