Any Canon 70-200 F4 L IS users?

  • Thread starter Thread starter And
  • Start date Start date

And

And

And

Associate
Joined
7 Dec 2002
Posts
1,087
Need a little advice please - what's the AF speed like on these, both static and for tracking (birds). I need to hire a lens for next month's Mull trip and pondering if I can get away with 200mm for the eagles (from a boat). I usually take a 300mm 2.8 but our spare at work is dying and won't be fixed within 4 weeks and the 70-200 would also be useful if we go to see the puffins again.
 
I have the F/4 and really like it. The focus is quick, precise and silent. Also sharper than the 2.8 version.
 
snips86x said:
I have the F/4 and really like it. The focus is quick, precise and silent. Also sharper than the 2.8 version.
Click to expand...

Sharper than the V1 f2.8 (although the f2.8 is close at f4). VII f2.8 is just as sharp.

AF on all these lenses is pretty much top-notch with a decent body, and they all work well with 1.4xTCs. See http://www.the-digital-picture.com/ for some examples.
 
Last edited:
Have you used one with a 1.4x? Just that controlled environment ISO charts (which Brian does a painstakingly good job of) do not reflect real-world handheld use.
 
And said:
Have you used one with a 1.4x? Just that controlled environment ISO charts (which Brian does a painstakingly good job of) do not reflect real-world handheld use.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've used a Kenko 1.4 on my f2.8 II and had some good results. Corners took a bit of a sharpness hit, but nothing dreadful. The Canon TCs are undoubtedly better.

I'll admit I used the TC so little that I sold it on, but aperture > reach for me personally.
 
snips86x said:
I have the F/4 and really like it. The focus is quick, precise and silent. Also sharper than the 2.8 version.
Click to expand...

Sharper than the non-IS f/2.8 and the IS Mk1 yes, but not the Mk2.

I had an f/4 IS for several years and loved it to bits - superb lens and the AF is very very fast and accurate. I "upgraded" to the f/2.8 IS Mk1 and promptly swapped back again as it was nowhere near as sharp, even at f/4. The only reason I no longer have the f/4 IS is the f/2.8 Mk2 :)
 
I love my F4L and I guess I'd only ever replace it with a F2.8L II since it's the only other one as sharp. I wish I could use it more but it's too short for a lot of things and too long for others so it's quite specialist for me!

Awesome Zoo lens as I found out though. I'm definitely very tempted to get a 1.4x multiplier but I don't really need one :\
 
Phal said:
I love my F4L and I guess I'd only ever replace it with a F2.8L II since it's the only other one as sharp. I wish I could use it more but it's too short for a lot of things and too long for others so it's quite specialist for me!

Awesome Zoo lens as I found out though. I'm definitely very tempted to get a 1.4x multiplier but I don't really need one :\
Click to expand...

That's what I did. I replaced my F4 non IS for the 2.8mkII. I need to use it more, but I'm pretty sure my F4 is sharper :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom