Recommendation: Tele lens for 60D

[cton0385]

I'm using a 60D (with the intent to upgrade to a FF body in the future). I prefer to find a lens that allows me to take handheld shots. I'm looking into investing in a decent tele lens. I've narrowed myself down to the following:

Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS mark 1  (used)
Did some reading myself on this and came across a post on http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1029&message=40358975&changemode=1 which I'm quite concerned about:

"The mark 1 will disappoint you at f/2.8 on a crop high density sensor like the 60D. (I used to own one - and it is great at f/3.5 but not 100% great at f/2.8 200mm. very nice on a lower density 5D classic). Dont know about the sigma - but would suggest checking out reviews like the digital picture."

Does anyone have such experiences?

Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS mark 2 (new)
Mark 1 vs mark 2, should I save myself some money and get a used mark 1 or just bite the bullet and get the mark 2?

Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 OS (new)
Costs around the same as a used Canon mark 1 but I get a new lens. Heard the OS on this is better than the IS on mark 1. Not sure about the image and build quality.

Any help would be appreciated!

[wickidwombat]

IS mk II or if you want to save money get the non IS 70-200 apparently the IS mk1 is not as good as either of the other 2

[neuroanatomist]

Bite the bullet. The 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II will blow away the others, it's a great lens.

[DianeK]

Not interested in the 70-300L??
Diane

[Mt Spokane Photography]

You have already ruled out the portable lenses, a 70-200mm f/2.8 is portable, sort of, but its size and weight are all out of proportion to a 60D. 

I'd suggest you consider a 70-200mm f/4L if you are going to carry the lens / camera around with you, or at least rent one and try it.  It is large!

[wickidwombat]

You have already ruled out the portable lenses, a 70-200mm f/2.8 is portable, sort of, but its size and weight are all out of proportion to a 60D. 

I'd suggest you consider a 70-200mm f/4L if you are going to carry the lens / camera around with you, or at least rent one and try it.  It is large!

i find the 70-200 f2.8L ISII plenty portable i have the tripod foot removed which makes it feel alot nicer to shoot with just keep the foot stashed in the bag in case i need it. Good thing is the same foot fits this lens and the 300f4L so i just keep the 1 foot in the bag and have both lenses without the foot.

[cton0385]

Thanks for the feedback so far.

Yes the 2.8 is definitely heavy, I do have a battery grip on my 60D to even out the proportions a little . I currently have a Tammy 17-50 f/2.8 VS (will replace with a Canon 24-70 when I get a FF body eventually), Canon 50 f/1.4 and a Canon 18-135 (which I will sell once I get a Tele lens).

My thought process behind a f/2.8 is that I can get a x2 extender if I want extra range at the still being able to shoot at 2.8 in low light situation between 70-200.

[cton0385]

That's definitely nice to know!

You have already ruled out the portable lenses, a 70-200mm f/2.8 is portable, sort of, but its size and weight are all out of proportion to a 60D. 

I'd suggest you consider a 70-200mm f/4L if you are going to carry the lens / camera around with you, or at least rent one and try it.  It is large!

i find the 70-200 f2.8L ISII plenty portable i have the tripod foot removed which makes it feel alot nicer to shoot with just keep the foot stashed in the bag in case i need it. Good thing is the same foot fits this lens and the 300f4L so i just keep the 1 foot in the bag and have both lenses without the foot.

[TexPhoto]

70-200mm f/4L IS would be my first choice to be honest.  But all of this really comes down to money.  The 70-200 2.8 IS II, is obviously the best, it's just a question of do you want to pay for it, and then do you want to carry it.  It's big and heavy, but awesome.

[wickidwombat]

70-200mm f/4L IS would be my first choice to be honest.  But all of this really comes down to money.  The 70-200 2.8 IS II, is obviously the best, it's just a question of do you want to pay for it, and then do you want to carry it.  It's big and heavy, but awesome.

the awesomeness makes it feel lighter IMO

[aaronh]

I was in exactly the same position as you. Had a 60D with the kit 18-135 lens; also had a 55-250. I wanted to upgrade my telephoto for better IQ and lowlight performance so I picked up a used 70-200 f/2.8 IS (mark I). I was generally happy with however I definitely noticed the difference between it and a friend's 70-200 f/2.8 non-IS (the non-IS being a sharper image). I was happy enough with mine and despite the glowing reviews of the IS mark II, I was planning on sticking with what I had (gotta keep my wife happy too...)

Recently I  found a really good deal on a used mark II on my local CL and I decided I'd go for it. I was blown away by the difference. I quickly sold off my mark I and haven't looked back. The sharpness is incredible (equivalent to my 35mm f/1.4L), the IS is amazing, and it focusses super quick.

All in all, I would say, if you can afford the mark II (or be in the right place at the right time like I was ) go for it whole-heartedly!!!

[cton0385]

I agree with the awesomeness of the 2.8. I see your point there with the f/4 Tex. In the rare occasion where I need to shoot at 400mm I'd either get a 2x extender or a 400mm zoom/prime f/5.6 which offsets the additional cost jump from a f/4 to f/2.8. I don't mind the cost too much as they both kinda equal out, since I'd be more likely to shoot at 70-200 as opposed to say 400, wouldn't it make more sense to invest in the 2.8? I could be wrong though! Would a 2x extender on the f/4 be bad idea?

70-200mm f/4L IS would be my first choice to be honest.  But all of this really comes down to money.  The 70-200 2.8 IS II, is obviously the best, it's just a question of do you want to pay for it, and then do you want to carry it.  It's big and heavy, but awesome.

[cton0385]

Thanks for the input! I was hoping to find someone who had been in the same position I am 

Been trying to find reviews comparing the mark 1 and 2, but the info is quite limited.

The last thing I want is to get the mark 1 and regret for not getting the mark 2. As for the prices, I can get a used mark 1 here for around $1300-1400 or get a grey import mark 2 for $1950 (AUD). I'd like to stick with IS lenses as I would like to take handheld shots in dim environments too.

Leaning more towards the mark 2 now, but might also consider f/4 for portability reasons (guess I should rent them out for a day on separately occasions to get a feel of it for myself)

I was in exactly the same position as you. Had a 60D with the kit 18-135 lens; also had a 55-250. I wanted to upgrade my telephoto for better IQ and lowlight performance so I picked up a used 70-200 f/2.8 IS (mark I). I was generally happy with however I definitely noticed the difference between it and a friend's 70-200 f/2.8 non-IS (the non-IS being a sharper image). I was happy enough with mine and despite the glowing reviews of the IS mark II, I was planning on sticking with what I had (gotta keep my wife happy too...)

Recently I  found a really good deal on a used mark II on my local CL and I decided I'd go for it. I was blown away by the difference. I quickly sold off my mark I and haven't looked back. The sharpness is incredible (equivalent to my 35mm f/1.4L), the IS is amazing, and it focusses super quick.

All in all, I would say, if you can afford the mark II (or be in the right place at the right time like I was ) go for it whole-heartedly!!!

[stephan]

Get the 2.8 II! It's an awesome lens, and will probably serve you longer than the older version.

I only have the Mark I (the Mark II is out of my price range), but it is still a very nice lens. I make very frequent use of the 2.8, and have also noticed the 60D outperform the lens in terms of resolution. I have used the new Version, and it really shines.

About portability: I find it quite portable, so I take it with me almost all of the time.

[PCM-Madison]

I have used both the Canon 70-200mm F2.8L IS v1 and the Canon 70-200mm F4L IS on my 60D. These are both great lenses. They are sharp from center to corners on my 60D, and they both have color and contrast that I find very satisfying. I have not used the 70-200mm F2.8 IS v2, but I am sure that it is a great lens and likely better in terms of sharpness than the older lenses based on the reviews I've read. The questions are, what do plan to use the lens for, and how big to you plan to print your photos? The older lenses are plenty sharp for prints up to A3 (~12 X 17 inches, largest I've done). The F2.8 lenses will be better for sports and portraits, but the F4 lens is much smaller and lighter so it has a big advantage for travel, hiking, etc. Good luck.