Help!

[littlepilotdude]

Which lens should I get? It will be used for aviation, portrait, a bit of sports and general purpose. Body is a 5D mark II.

[rpt]

As usual, the "best" answer is "it depends"

Anyway, on a more serious note, it depends on what percentage of shots are going to be needing you to add on the 2x. I have a question for you. Why the non IS 70-200?

[littlepilotdude]

As usual, the "best" answer is "it depends"

Anyway, on a more serious note, it depends on what percentage of shots are going to be needing you to add on the 2x. I have a question for you. Why the non IS 70-200?

Hi,

I'm only 16 and I can't quite justify spending $2400 on the lens. I will eventually buy the IS II, but right now, I just can't.

[neuroanatomist]

The problem is disparate uses. The 100-400 is better for aviation, the 70-200/2.8 is better for portrait, sports and general use.  I voted 100-400 because you listed aviation first, and 'pilot' is in your name. The 100-400 is great for airshows. The 70-200/2.8 non-IS doesn't hold up well to the 2x TC (although the IS MkII does).  But if by aviation you mean you go to an airshow or two a year, or if you'd prioritize the other uses above aviation, get the 70-200.

Used 100-400s can be had for $1000 - you might go that route, and get an 85/1.8 for portraits and indoor sports...

[rpt]

As usual, the "best" answer is "it depends"

Anyway, on a more serious note, it depends on what percentage of shots are going to be needing you to add on the 2x. I have a question for you. Why the non IS 70-200?

Hi,

I'm only 16 and I can't quite justify spending $2400 on the lens. I will eventually buy the IS II, but right now, I just can't.

That makes sense. I was not suggesting the IS II though.

And I think you got your answer

[wickidwombat]

Used 100-400s can be had for $1000 - you might go that route, and get an 85/1.8 for portraits and indoor sports...

this is probably your best bet given your budget

[RMC33]

If you can find a used 400 f/5.6 that is a good option as well. I just saw one in perfect condition on my local CL for $875. That would leave you with some money left over for a 85 f/1.8 or 50 1.4 for portraiture.

I will be shooting at the Reno Air Races this year with the home pylon flagger and he uses the 100-400. His primary complaint is how much dust and crud the bellows design pulls in due to the push/pull zoom and it has been slowly killing his 40D. He just bought the 400 f/5.6 I mentioned above, a 7D and a nice cover to keep the majority of the dust out. I feel a prime in the 300 or 400 range on a FF or crop body will serve you better then a 100-400 zoom.

[nda]

I voted 100-400L but another good option is the 70-300L I use this for aviation wonderful lens, good on my 5d2 fantastic on my 1d4

[neuroanatomist]

If you can find a used 400 f/5.6 that is a good option as well. I just saw one in perfect condition on my local CL for $875. That would leave you with some money left over for a 85 f/1.8 or 50 1.4 for portraiture.

I will be shooting at the Reno Air Races this year with the home pylon flagger and he uses the 100-400. His primary complaint is how much dust and crud the bellows design pulls in due to the push/pull zoom and it has been slowly killing his 40D. He just bought the 400 f/5.6 I mentioned above, a 7D and a nice cover to keep the majority of the dust out. I feel a prime in the 300 or 400 range on a FF or crop body will serve you better then a 100-400 zoom.

I'd be concerned that using a long prime at an airshow would offer too little flexibility for framing, P
particularly takeoff and landing versus flight.

As for dust, I used a 100-400 with my 7D very frequently for over two years, not a speck of dust in the lens, and I never had to manually clean the sensor on the 7D (Unlike my 5DII, which seemed to need a blower or a brush every other month). I do keep a filter on the lens, not sure if that makes a difference.

[RMC33]

If you can find a used 400 f/5.6 that is a good option as well. I just saw one in perfect condition on my local CL for $875. That would leave you with some money left over for a 85 f/1.8 or 50 1.4 for portraiture.

I will be shooting at the Reno Air Races this year with the home pylon flagger and he uses the 100-400. His primary complaint is how much dust and crud the bellows design pulls in due to the push/pull zoom and it has been slowly killing his 40D. He just bought the 400 f/5.6 I mentioned above, a 7D and a nice cover to keep the majority of the dust out. I feel a prime in the 300 or 400 range on a FF or crop body will serve you better then a 100-400 zoom.

I'd be concerned that using a long prime at an airshow would offer too little flexibility for framing, P
particularly takeoff and landing versus flight.

As for dust, I used a 100-400 with my 7D very frequently for over two years, not a speck of dust in the lens, and I never had to manually clean the sensor on the 7D (Unlike my 5DII, which seemed to need a blower or a brush every other month). I do keep a filter on the lens, not sure if that makes a difference.

The dust issue I think is unique to the Nevada area~ Not sure if he uses a filter but I do know the push/pull has had be be cleaned and repaired by Canon once over the last two years. The particulate is quite fine and after a day of shooting you tend to find dust in places you would normally not find dust.

While I agree framing could be an issue I don't think it will pop up. I feel either lens would work well but I just like the primes over zooms at that range. A few used ones on ebay for similar prices as the 100-400 and on a few on CL's around the US near major cities all in the $850-$1000 range. Honestly, either way you can't go wrong.

[rpt]

I forgot to vote the last time so I did just now. 100-400L. It is a great lens for the price. I used it yesterday to take pictures at a water sports event. An engineering college in the city was hosting their 85th Regatta. I shot 400 pictures and about 95% of them with the 100-400L. Even the shots taken in the dark. I was amazed. I had carried my 24-105 but it hardly got used. The versatility of having a zoom for such events is fantastic. Like neuro says if your distance to subject changes significantly framing becomes hard. If you are interested, take a look at http://www.flickr.com/photos/93944537@N03/.

[RS2021]

100-400L is a great aviation and ballooning lens...can't beat the versatility of the zoom and price when bought used. As Neuro said, get yourself a 85 f/1.8 with the money you save and you will have portraits covered. 

[J.R.]

Get the 100-400L. The native 100-400 focal length will be way better than the 70-200 non-IS.

For what you intend to shoot, you won't find a better value for money lens than the 100-400L.

[RGF]

Which lens should I get? It will be used for aviation, portrait, a bit of sports and general purpose. Body is a 5D mark II.

For general purpose and portrait I would consider the 70-300L.  May not be long enough for spots and aviation, and not fast (only F4 or so in wide area of the zoom) so that may hinder portraiture a bit.

I have had 2 100-400 and found the 2nd one to be a bit soft, the 1st was great [sorry I sold it].  Also I don't like the push-pull (personal preference).  The 70-300L has the zoom and focus rings reversed from other lens (zoom closest to the body).  Also the 70-300 is lighter which I find a plus

Either can be a great lens of you. 

Something else to consider is a 7D.  That will get you an 1.6 crop which increase the effective focal length of a lens (hurts wide angles).

[Krob78]

I think you would be very dissapointed with the end results of the 70-200mm if it was without IS and you were trying to use the TC.  100-400mm is very strong, sounds like it would be a winner for you and your particular needs.  I think once you mount it to your 5dII, you'll never look back...