Jill Morgan 868 Posted July 24, 2015 My local camera store has this Canon lens on sale right now for $700. http://www.henrys.com/323-CANON-EF-70-200-F4-L-USM-ZOOM-LENS.aspx It does not have image stabilization but its IS counterpart is beyond my reach at the moment. I know on a tripod it would not be an issue, but hand held, if its as heavy as its IS cousin, I am afraid camera shake would become a problem. What would be the safest shutter speed for this lens hand held? Is it worth the investment? Jill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allan Bell 1,682 Posted July 24, 2015 It is reckoned that a shutter speed of 1/200th should be fast enough but I would personally go with a minimum of 1/500th. Just to be sure. Allan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil Crean 364 Posted July 24, 2015 I have one and use it a lot with a 5DII...very sharp even at f4...however I try to shoot a 1/400+ at long end. However, 700USD doesn't seem like such a great deal, here I can get it new for 550Euros = 603USD! Phil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Morgan 868 Posted July 24, 2015 I have one and use it a lot with a 5DII...very sharp even at f4...however I try to shoot a 1/400+ at long end. However, 700USD doesn't seem like such a great deal, here I can get it new for 550Euros = 603USD! Phil $700CDN which right now is $535US. Jill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill Brooks 1,102 Posted July 24, 2015 It's a great lens. I use it with a 5D11. IS will not help you. Hand holding at 200mm with mirror NOT locked up, I am safe at 1/640 second. Maybe safe at 1/500 second. I can see softness on one side of image at 1/400 second. I am not Mr Shakey, so the softness is due to vibration from camera mechanism. IS will not solve this problem. If I had to replace the lens, I would buy the cheaper none IS version. There is an extra cost tripod collar for the lens, but you do not need it if you connect your camera body to a sturdy tripod. My usual method for hand held is to shoot at F5.6, Aperture priority, and up ISO until I get 1/640 second. Quick grab shot with camera preset to F5.6 Aperture priority, ISO 400, zoomed to 180mm, camera selected 1/640 second . Autofocus on people only, the focus on dog is going soft. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bryan 10,639 Posted July 24, 2015 (edited) I have one and when it's good it's great, but mine occasionally shows softness down one side of the image. I need to test it thoroughly to see exactly in what circumstances this is occurring, but I'm hardly using Canon now. I've not been too lucky with Canon lenses, my 24-70 was much worse, while, fortunately, my 24-105 is a cracker. Test carefully at all focal lengths and subject distances while under guarantee or within return period. Edit - Just read Bill's post more carefully, maybe my lens is fine but I need to up the shutter speed! Edited July 24, 2015 by Bryan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Quist 595 Posted July 24, 2015 (edited) It's a great lens. Occasionally at low light I miss the f2.8 edition, but it is larger, more expensive and weighs more. PS Mine does have the IS. Edited July 25, 2015 by Niels Quist Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill Brooks 1,102 Posted July 24, 2015 I agree with Niels. In film days I had a 80-200 Nikkor F2.8 but never used it at 2.8 because I usually needed a F5.6 depth of field. I also hike a lot, and a F4 70-200 is heavy enough. Bryan: at 1/400 and 200mm the left half of a horizontal frame is slightly softer than the right half. It is not the camera lens mount, or the lens, as the softness clears up at 1/640. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MMiller 10 Posted July 25, 2015 The age-old general shutter speed rule for hand held, of course, is matching the lens focal length to the shutter speed. So shoot at least 1/200 th sec at focal length 200, at least 100th sec at 100 mm, etc. I do currently have the f4 non-IS version and no complaints whatsoever, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil Crean 364 Posted July 25, 2015 I have one and use it a lot with a 5DII...very sharp even at f4...however I try to shoot a 1/400+ at long end. However, 700USD doesn't seem like such a great deal, here I can get it new for 550Euros = 603USD! Phil $700CDN which right now is $535US. Jill Ooops....I should have looked at your location! In that case I'd grab it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil Crean 364 Posted July 25, 2015 113mm. 1/400 @ f4. 3200ISO. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gruffydd 69 Posted August 3, 2015 As others have said, Jill, it is a very good lens, and very light: when I bought it I initially thought the shop had sent me an empty box. It is, though, as you would expect with an L-series lens, sturdy and well made. I typically use it at 1/400th or faster. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Endicott 269 Posted August 3, 2015 Jill, if you can wait and acquire the f/2.8 IS then do that - by all means. A friend of mine has one and I have compared them side to side. The f/4 will work fine, but the f/2.8 IS is amazing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Morgan 868 Posted August 3, 2015 Jill, if you can wait and acquire the f/2.8 IS then do that - by all means. A friend of mine has one and I have compared them side to side. The f/4 will work fine, but the f/2.8 IS is amazing. I have used the f/2.8 and was madly in love with it. But at more than double the cost of the f4, it is unlikely my budget will allow it. Right now I have to put off the f/4 as car repair has got in the way. There is a local person with an f/4 for sale, but weary of investing high dollars on equipment that I have no knowledge of how well it was looked after. Jill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Klinger 5 Posted August 5, 2015 (edited) I sold my f/2.8 IS/USM and bought the f/4 non-IS and I love it! Just as sharp, easy to hand hold. I bought the tripod mount thinking I'd need it. The ring sits in a drawer. It is much lighter and smaller and true, it's one stop slower. It all depends on your needs and shooting situations. But the f/4 is just as sharp. Also I should mention, I don't use IS except in extreme situations, where a tripod is not available. There are tools and methods to get fine shots, without IS. The Little Brother 70-200 is a fine quality lens. Edited August 5, 2015 by Klinger Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill Brooks 1,102 Posted August 5, 2015 When shooting a stationary subject at slow shutter speeds with an IS lens, I found the following: Hand held IS off equals lots of motion blur Hand held IS on equals a bit of motion blur Camera on tripod equals no motion blur Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
