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Canon 70-200 2.8 IS or non IS

Joseph Ramos

Workshop Member
Hello I am thinking about getting one of these two lenses, I have heard the non IS is sharper. Any thoughts?
Thanks
 

robmac

Well-known member
www.photozone.de tests would seem to backup what you (and myself) have heard - especially WO or closer to it. While I'm not a personal fan of zooms in general and after using a lot of EF L glass, now use alt glass almost exclusively, I've used a fellow shooter's non-IS and it seemed very good. Nothing to write home about, but solid, especially under 200mm.

I liked the handling and performance of the Nikon 70-200/2.8 VR better when I tested one on a D700 but that's of little value here. For low-light work, VR/IS, especially with nice ISO capabilities, does allow for what seems to be minor miracles.

Assuming the relative PZ tests are accurate, I guess it really comes down to how much value you place on IS, whether you'll be shooting using flash/strobes (no value in IS, shooting more stopped down, etc) vs closer to WO under iffy light, ISO capabilities of camera, etc.

If you don't mind buying used, I'd be tempted to try and find a 'sharp copy' of a non-IS first at a nice price, save some coin and see if I can live w/o IS. IS is nice, but unlike the 70-200/4, it looks like you pay a penalty in resolution for it on the 2.8. Of course on the 70-200/4 IS there are reports of 200mm performance heading south at or near MFD - so I guess there's no easy answer.
 

Jack

Sr. Administrator
Staff member
IS uses a small gyro motor to run it. IF your lens is mounted on a tripod, the images may be slightly sharper most of the time if you turn IS OFF since there's no vibration from the gyro motor. However, when handholding, for sure IS improves sharpness (at least for me). So IMO you get the best of both worlds with the IS version, simply turning it off or on as the situation dictates.

My .02,
 

Don Libby

Well-known member
We've got a 70-200 IS 2.8 and it's one of our favorite 35mm lens. IS for sure when handholding just remember to turn it off when parked on a tripod.

Don
 

wuffstuff

New member
The OOF on the IS lens is superb as is the ability to hand hold in low light. I would buy it again no problem.
 

Jack

Sr. Administrator
Staff member
Has anyone compared the 2.8 vs the 4?
Of course! :ROTFL:

F4 is lighter and more compact, vignettes slightly at f4. The f2.8 version is significantly larger and heavier by almost twice, vignettes slightly at f2.8 but gone by f4. The 2.8 is slightly sharper at f4 than the f4 version, but at f5.6 you cannot tell them apart.

For travel, the f4 version hands down. Where weight isn't too critical, the extra stop and more limited DoF of the f2.8 are very desirable. I've owned a few copies of each, and right now am back on the f2.8 version...

My .02 only...
 

s.agar

Member
I also tried both, and also have the Nikon f2.8. For Canon, I preferred the F4 IS version. It's slightly bigger than any other standard zoom lens, and IS is very effective. In any case, the gain with IS makes it better than the F2.8 non IS version IMO.
This F4IS has become my favorite additional lens to my typical lens set when travelling. ıt fits into my bag, and I don't have to carry an additional lens bag.
 

Bob

Administrator
Staff member
I hear rumblings about an update to the f/2.8 version.
I have the f/4 IS model and I am pretty happy with it at any aperature.
-bob
 

Ralph Eisenberg

New member
Have both, and they are both very finely performing lenses. The IS is very helpful and effective, the f/4 version being of a more recent generation. The smaller size and considerably lighter weight of the latter should not be discounted.
 

pcunite

New member
The way Canon auto-focus systems work you want f2.8 or better lenses only as it activate their high precision sensors. In full sun, sure F4 is fine and will hide focus errors more also.
 
A

affoche09

Guest
Canon 70 200 2 8 IS or non IS

rnHas anyone heard any thing about the 5D replacement. I have heard this fall and also maybe next spring. Canon is making the Nikon D700 look pretty good if they delay much longer.rn
 

Jack

Sr. Administrator
Staff member
Re: Canon 70 200 2 8 IS or non IS

rnHas anyone heard any thing about the 5D replacement. I have heard this fall and also maybe next spring. Canon is making the Nikon D700 look pretty good if they delay much longer.rn
5D replacement? The 5D2 has been out for several months now...
 

Giorgio

Member
0.02 worth.

70/200 F4 non IS


70/200 F2.8 IS (turned off)


It's hard to tell what's what with the way these images were used, but my impression is that the F4 lens is a better lens. I just never got acceptable sharpness from the F2.8 lens wide open or close to open, where the F4 lens is very capable wide open and only gets better stopped down.

If you really need to open up, (and these days with high ISO cameras you don't) then you can make a case for the faster lens.

For my purposes I would use the 70 200 F4, I don't need IS.
 
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