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Thread: need advise on zoom

  1. #1
    Loic Carbonnier
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    Default need advise on zoom

    I can't decide between the Canon 70-200f2.8L or the new 70-300f4L for my next purchase
    I am using an old 80-200f2,8L, 500f4 and 24-70f2.8L
    Any advise?
    I mainly shoot birds and wildlife
    Thanks

  2. #2
    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    Artie's been raving about the 70-200 f/2.8 II in his latest blog entry...I'd check it out. If you are going to put TCs on it the larger aperture is a plus. If you don't have TCs you could take alokk at the 100-400 as you'd have less of a gap to fill between 200 and 500mms.

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    I agree with Daniel on this. Also, it is rumored that Canon is coming out with a new 100-400. You may want to wait a few months before choosing a new lens.
    Andrew

  4. #4
    Robert Amoruso
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    Quote Originally Posted by Andrew Merwin View Post
    I agree with Daniel on this. Also, it is rumored that Canon is coming out with a new 100-400. You may want to wait a few months before choosing a new lens.

    Well I like this rumor. An area sorely lacking for Canon.

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    Are you using your current 70-200mm f/2.8 with a 2x TC? Given your line-up, including the 500mm f/4, I suspect not. I assume that you have a crop-body since you're shooting birds. I carry my 500mm f/4L IS on my tripod, mounted on my 7D and the 70-200mm f/4L IS on my 5D MkII with and w/o the 1.4x TC, depending on what I think I might see. I used to have a 400mm, but don't miss it now that I've got the 500mm f/4. (I keep a wide-angle in a vest pocket, in case I need it).

    I think that the 70-200mm f/2.8 makes sense for someone not owning a 400mm or 500mm, so that you can use the 2x TC, but with the 500mm over your shoulder, you won't be wishing for a 2x TC for your 70-200mm.

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    Quote Originally Posted by David Stephens View Post
    I assume that you have a crop-body since you're shooting birds.
    ???? I don't see how this follows from photographing birds.

    Quote Originally Posted by David Stephens View Post
    I carry my 500mm f/4L IS on my tripod, mounted on my 7D and the 70-200mm f/4L IS on my 5D MkII with and w/o the 1.4x TC, depending on what I think I might see. I used to have a 400mm, but don't miss it now that I've got the 500mm f/4. (I keep a wide-angle in a vest pocket, in case I need it).

    I think that the 70-200mm f/2.8 makes sense for someone not owning a 400mm or 500mm, so that you can use the 2x TC, but with the 500mm over your shoulder, you won't be wishing for a 2x TC for your 70-200mm.
    I agree. Another alternative is a 300 f/2.8. It works very will with a 2x TC when needed, and even stacked 2x + 1.4x TCs (840mm f/8 and the camera only see f/5.6 so still AFs) and then leave the 500 home and save weight. And of course a 1D body would still AF at f/8.
    I will do just that and leave my 500 at home and take my 300 f/2.8 on my next Tanzanian safari.

    Roger

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    Quote Originally Posted by Roger Clark View Post
    ???? I don't see how this follows from photographing birds.
    Wanna bet Rog? Just kidding.

    I also looked at his lens list. People using full-frame bodies for birds tend to own the longer lenses than his.

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    Quote Originally Posted by David Stephens View Post
    Wanna bet Rog? Just kidding.

    I also looked at his lens list. People using full-frame bodies for birds tend to own the longer lenses than his.
    Often I find there is a misunderstanding that crop sensors give more telephoto reach on subjects such as distant birds. It is a myth. The controlling factor is pixel pitch not crop factor.

    For example, compare a 30D (1.6x crop) with a 5D Mark II (full frame). Say that one uses a 500 mm lens on both, and a bird fits inside both frames. Which camera delivers more pixels on the subject?

    Answer: Neither, they both deliver the same numbers of pixels on the subject.

    Roger

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    Quote Originally Posted by Roger Clark View Post
    Often I find there is a misunderstanding that crop sensors give more telephoto reach on subjects such as distant birds. It is a myth. The controlling factor is pixel pitch not crop factor.

    For example, compare a 30D (1.6x crop) with a 5D Mark II (full frame). Say that one uses a 500 mm lens on both, and a bird fits inside both frames. Which camera delivers more pixels on the subject?

    Answer: Neither, they both deliver the same numbers of pixels on the subject.
    Agreed; however, there are real reasons to use a crop sensor and, as you point out, there are no disadvantages, except, perhaps, relatively poorer high-ISO performance.

    I've got the 7D and the 5D MkII. I find it much easier to track BIF with the 7D because of the larger subject size in the viewfinder. Also, in the case of my particular bodies, the 7D has a very useful burst rate of 8-fps.

    I wish the OP would tell us which body he uses.

  10. #10
    Loic Carbonnier
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    Quote Originally Posted by David Stephens View Post
    Agreed; however, there are real reasons to use a crop sensor and, as you point out, there are no disadvantages, except, perhaps, relatively poorer high-ISO performance.

    I've got the 7D and the 5D MkII. I find it much easier to track BIF with the 7D because of the larger subject size in the viewfinder. Also, in the case of my particular bodies, the 7D has a very useful burst rate of 8-fps.

    I wish the OP would tell us which body he uses.
    I use a 7d and also have the old 5d, I have the old 80-200F2.8L not the 70-200
    Do you guys think the 70-200F4 will be good enough knowing ISO can be pushed a bit in low light condition

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    Quote Originally Posted by Loic Carbonnier View Post
    I use a 7d and also have the old 5d, I have the old 80-200F2.8L not the 70-200
    Do you guys think the 70-200F4 will be good enough knowing ISO can be pushed a bit in low light condition
    Yes, I have the 70-200 f/4 and it is a very good lens, always in my bag.

    Roger

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    Quote Originally Posted by Loic Carbonnier View Post
    I use a 7d and also have the old 5d, I have the old 80-200F2.8L not the 70-200
    Do you guys think the 70-200F4 will be good enough knowing ISO can be pushed a bit in low light condition
    Absolutely with the 5D MkII, which has exceptional high-ISO performance. From what I've read and seen, the 5D is as good or almost. The 7D isn't quite in the same league for high-ISO, but it's very good. The reason to go with an f/2.8 is if you plan to use the 2x TC. The f/4 with the 1.4x TC is very nice and reasonably fast to focus.

    The compactness of the 70-200mm f/4 makes it VERY attractive to carry around my neck when I've got the 500mm on my tripod. In contrast, the f/2.8 can be a load; however, I am now seriously considering the 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II in combination with the 2x TC-II. That's a **** of a versatile combination, apparently with great IQ. I can't afford it now, but I'll be thinking about it for the future. The concern for me is carrying TWO heavy lenses. If the 70-200mm f/2.8 were the primary lens, then I'd certainly be all right with the weight issue. Carrying that AND the 500mm is another matter.

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    I agree with Dave. I also have a 500 f/4 70-200 f/4, 5DII (and 1D4). I'm not sure the 70-200 f/2.8 would fit in my backpack with the 500, 2 bodies, shorter lenses and misc stuff. I would need a larger backpack, but at present it is just barely airline carry-on legal.

    Roger

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