I'm mulling over 2 lenses (70-200mm f/2.8L USM or the EF 200mm f/2.8L USM II)

[unfocused]

And I really think what I'm doing is romanticizing how great my old 55-250mm was. 

Probably not. People tend to look down on the 55-250 because it is cheap. But for whatever reason, the lens is really sharp. Light, plastic build, no USM, but that thing can be sharp.

[verysimplejason]

And I really think what I'm doing is romanticizing how great my old 55-250mm was. 

Probably not. People tend to look down on the 55-250 because it is cheap. But for whatever reason, the lens is really sharp. Light, plastic build, no USM, but that thing can be sharp.

55-250 is a value for your money.  It's sharp and focuses fairly fast during daytime.  I really can't justify for now a 70-200 unless I'll be doing a lot of sports or bird photography.  My 100mm F2.8 USM and 55-250 is doing their jobs for portraits, macro and birding needs.

[jdramirez]

you like to take photos of moving targets. zoom. no doubt. i have this lens, and whatever IQ advantage the 200mm prime may have is gone once you have to start cropping. Obviously, with a zoom you are doing all or at least nearly doing all your framing at the time of exposure, so you're always working with max resolution. not to mention when things get closer than you expected you'll still get a shot because you can go wider. Honestly, i think something might be wrong with you guys who would recommend a 200mm f2.8 prime over a 70-200mmf2.8 for action.  some sort of prime sickness i guess.


- i just read your last post, and i'm trying to still give you solid advise, while thinking of your racist statement. that and other things like a makeshift monopod? man, a decent monopod is not an expensive item ..... why... forget it. i think you need a 24mmTS.

I appreciate the help.  Sorry you took offense at my little joke, but unfortunately our suburban middle class school doesn't do well against the urban school we play.  Put in the racial demographics if you want... but our kids are slow. :/

And I do have a monopod... but I added the ball head using a 1/4" to 3/4" converter which allows me to install the ball head.  So it is a monopod, but a makeshift monopod with a ballhead. 

[jdramirez]

I own the 100L Macro and it is one of my favorites, extremely versatile. Most people don't seem to tap its full potential and only use it strictly for macros. It is extremely sharp for portraits and I love using it in the winter in snow because of it's long lens hood (which keeps out the elements quite well). I also have the 135L as well as the 200L you're inquiring about. Most photographers will recommend the 70-200L 2.8. Personally, I much prefer the 200L because of weight and color, very discreet to use not only for street photography but for everything else as well. It is superb for portraits in natural light, producing beautiful tight framing and smooth bokeh. The 200L is one of Canon's best kept secret as it's often overlooked, always overshadowed by the 70-200L zooms.

If you like prime lenses, I would highly recommend the 200L. Shooting with primes require discipline and the patience to look at your subjects differently. However, the end results are much more rewarding.

My lens shipped, and I probably won't get it before this Sunday which is when I take my sports shots.  So my decision will have to wait a week or two.   I occasionally like to go to golf tournaments on Wednesday when they allow cameras.  I have heard they won't allow pro gear and I also have heard that they do allow slr's but the white zooms are persona non grata.

[heptagon]

I also have heard that they do allow slr's but the white zooms are persona non grata.

Once again the Nikon-Crowd wins!

[jdramirez]

I also have heard that they do allow slr's but the white zooms are persona non grata.

Once again the Nikon-Crowd wins!

Probably.  But I like when I watch tv that I can spot a Canon lens.  I have no clue which lens the other guys are using. 

[paul13walnut5]

I've owned both, and would recommend both.

I kind of preferred the fixed 200mm, I felt that, for stills at least, it was the faster lens to use.  This is as simple as, I couldn't waste time zooming, so spent more time shooting.

It's less flexible, and 200mm/320mm is going to be too long for some situations.

I loved this lens because it made my humble XTi really come to life.  It was exceptionally fast focusing with centre point AF / Ai Servo and the lens focus limiter on.   I got the genuine canon tripod ring as well which made the lens handle really really nicely on a monopod as well.

I think at 200mm the prime has a very slight optical edge over the 70-200 f2.8L, but then the 70-200 offers you all the other focal lengths and is excellent accross the range.

I really love using my 70-200 f2.8L, it was really an essential switch for me as I use my gear for video, and have no real regrets.

If I was buying for stills only, I would go with the fixed 200.  I only had it short while on my 7D, but what a combo!

[LightCrafterPhotography]

Obviously there are similarities in focal length and aperture.  Neither have image stabilization.  I have heard the 70-200 is tack sharp between 70-135... which raises the question, is the additional range I will get worth the additional 400 dollars.  I've already bought the 70-200, so I've answered my question, but I got it as such a good price, that I could sell it within a matter of days and then just get the 200 prime.

At the moment, I am shooting a ton of football games (pee-wee level).  And I imagine I will be shooting indoor girls basketball games here in the next few weeks. 

I already have a 24-105mm f/4L, 50mm f/1.4, and 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro.

Any advice is appreciated.  If the 200mm prime is incredibly sharp wide open... or isn't head and shoulders better than the 70-200mm... I'll stick with the zoom.  But I also don't want to use the 135-200mm range and be so disappointed that I never bother to use the lens.

With the kind of images you like to shoot, the zoom will better serve you. The 200mm is good, but you'll likely miss more opportunities/shots than with the zoom. Keep the zoom, use it for a while before finally making a decision.
 

[jdramirez]

So I'm a pretty big guy WITH ripply muscles... and I just have to say... OH MY!  It's heavy and I can see why people complain about the size... but I really kinda like how big it is.