Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM

SkidMarkKing · 7 Feb 2013 at 21:41

Hello. Ive been looking around for a motorsport lens. Ive just noticed a "Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM" for £429.99 brand-new. I have a Canon 400D Gripped, 18-55mm kit lens, charger, batteries to sell and some bike parts (I used to ride trials). Im thinking of saving up for the "Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM" and then possibly a 1.4 extender. I wouldnt mainly be using it for motorsport. I know it isn't the IS version but I have seen a few review videos and it seems to be a good lens and worth the money. I have looked at the IS versions and they seem to be around £1000 more which for me as a hobbyist is a bit too steep.

SkidMarkKing · 7 Feb 2013 at 22:00

londonbairn said:
Its one of the best first L lens to own and known for its amazing sharpness. Not sure how well it takes a tc though.

Ok, thank you. Im just abit curious because im currently using a 55-250mm canon lens and im told this is one of the best budget lenses. Im aware the 70-200mm F/4 at £430 doesn't have IS. Is it such a big deal that it doesn't?

SkidMarkKing · 7 Feb 2013 at 22:14

The_Abyss said:
Awesome lens, but I found it was next to average with an extender. On a crop body though I think you may not need it - it is so sharp. IS is not such a big deal at all.

Ahh, so not so great with an extender? When I manage to shift my 400D/18-55mm lens ile treat myself to the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM.

EDIT:I was originally looking at the sigma 120-400 for £550. Also the 150-500 sigma

SkidMarkKing · 7 Feb 2013 at 22:47

theheyes said:
It's a great lens. I've used one trackside before and although 200m can be a bit short it still does a job. YMMV of course.

Yeah. The thing is I have a 55-250mm canon lens though so I might be better of going with a longer sigma.

On a review someone said its ok as a walk about lens. If the 70-200mm L USM lens is ok with a 1.4 or even 2.0x extender I would get one but im not too sure.

SkidMarkKing · 9 Feb 2013 at 15:25

Ksanti said:
The 70-200 f/4s are just as sharp. The only one that isn't as sharp is the 70-200 2.8 IS I and I think the non IS 70-200 2.8. Plus on a 400D it will be horribly unbalanced.

I have a 60D now bud. Still un-decided. To be honest I think I need that extra reach. I only photograph motorsports at Oulton Park at the moment but I can see myself travelling to other tracks one day and I will need the extra reach. The 150-500mm sigma is out of the quest now because its not so good in low light. 120-400 sigma still looks a good lens though.