Selling my Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS II

[TexPhoto]

My 70-200 is my most used and most loved lens. I bought a 200mm f1.8 a little over a year ago. Touched the paint up and sold it for $300 more than I paid. It was interesting, but I never felt like it was a replacement for my 70-200.

 

[nc0b]

Image wise I had no complaints about the 70-200mm f/2.8 II with the 2X TC III. For static or slow moving shots it worked fine. For BIF, once the bird took off I would lose it against the sky and never reacquire focus. Once I purchased the 300mm f/4 IS and the 400mm f/5.6, I sold the 2X TC III to a local photographer who had the 500mm f/4 and a 1DX. The combo obviously had reach I could only dream about. Never heard how it worked out for him.

Even though I read all sorts of statements here on CR about the 6D and poor AF, my best results with raptors in flight are with the 6D and 400mm f/5.6. I exclusively use the center point, shoot at f/8, and keep the shutter speed above 1/1000. Bumping up the ISO on the 6D is not an issue to get the needed shutter speed. The 400mm is wicked fast at re-acquiring focus if I miss a shot. There is no way I would go back to the 2.8 zoom and the 2X III for BIF.

I do use my 60D with the two longer primes, but so far my results from a sharpness standpoint of BIF have been better with the 6D. For other subjects, the 60D does well and the extra reach without losing a stop with my 1.4X TC. III has its advantages.

I will be using the 70-200mm f/2.8 II in November to shoot ballroom dancing. I need the speed and the zoom, and it is the perfect lens for that environment along with the 6D. With the dancers moving around the floor, a prime just doesn't work. A 135mm or 200mm f/2 would be interesting at times, but with two people in the frame at the same time I would be concerned about depth of field with the faster lenses wide open.

 

[Dylan777]

My plan was to sell the 70-200mm f2.8 IS II, after 200mm f2 IS arrived. Posted it on ebay last night, however, I ended my auction today. Just couldn’t do it guys.

Dam you L lenses

I don't blame you!!! The 200 f2??? : You're shooting with class!!! early Christmas present? Congrats!!!
Didn't you pick up a 600 not too long ago Dylan???

Not yet. Still shooting with 400mm. My 6yrs + 3yrs will join junior golf team early Feb. If thing works out for them, 600mm sounds very temping

 

[Dylan777]

Wish I have another 1DX... :

...and Christmas is just around the corner ;D

I think I'm done for 2014 ;D

 

[Dylan777]

My 70-200 is my most used and most loved lens. I bought a 200mm f1.8 a little over a year ago. Touched the paint up and sold it for $300 more than I paid. It was interesting, but I never felt like it was a replacement for my 70-200.

With excellent IQ, fast AF speed, and zoom range 70-200 it will be hard to replace the current version. Here is another shot with 70-200 f2.8 IS II with 1DX, able to frame the shot.

 

[jdramirez]

Wish I have another 1DX... :

...and Christmas is just around the corner ;D

I think I'm done for 2014 ;D

Whatever will you do for the next two and 1/2 months? Don't worry, January 1st, 2015 is just around the corner.

 

[lintoni]

I was using my 70-200mm today for softball... it would have been tough to limit myself to only 200mm... so I think I may be keeping the lens even if I do elect to upgrade to the 200 f2...

What?!?

You've got that all wrong. PM me and we'll arrange a swap. I'll send you a really nice bat and you send me the 70-200. You'll find that your softball is much improved if you use the right gear!

 

[jdramirez]

I was using my 70-200mm today for softball... it would have been tough to limit myself to only 200mm... so I think I may be keeping the lens even if I do elect to upgrade to the 200 f2...

What?!?

You've got that all wrong. PM me and we'll arrange a swap. I'll send you a really nice bat and you send me the 70-200. You'll find that your softball is much improved if you use the right gear!

That's why I opt for the build quality of the L.

 

[meywd]

My 70-200 is my most used and most loved lens. I bought a 200mm f1.8 a little over a year ago. Touched the paint up and sold it for $300 more than I paid. It was interesting, but I never felt like it was a replacement for my 70-200.

With excellent IQ, fast AF speed, and zoom range 70-200 it will be hard to replace the current version. Here is another shot with 70-200 f2.8 IS II with 1DX, able to frame the shot.

Great shot, so the IQ stayed the same even after adding IS

 

[Dylan777]

I was using my 70-200mm today for softball... it would have been tough to limit myself to only 200mm... so I think I may be keeping the lens even if I do elect to upgrade to the 200 f2...

My 6yrs got picked as top five swimmers in her class. She will be competing tomorrow with other teams. Can't wait to shoot with my 1DX. The 400mm will be mounted on 5D III this time. Wish I have another 1DX... :

Finally, I got a chance playing with this lens for about 4hrs. Took over 700 photos with 1DX. My final verdict is this lens going to stay in my bag.

In Ai servo, keeper rate is little less compared to f2.8 - 70-200 f2.8 and 400mm f2.8. However, IQ on the keepers is AWESOME. Let me say that again.....FREAKEN AWESOME ;D

 

[jdramirez]

I was using my 70-200mm today for softball... it would have been tough to limit myself to only 200mm... so I think I may be keeping the lens even if I do elect to upgrade to the 200 f2...

My 6yrs got picked as top five swimmers in her class. She will be competing tomorrow with other teams. Can't wait to shoot with my 1DX. The 400mm will be mounted on 5D III this time. Wish I have another 1DX... :

Finally, I got a chance playing with this lens for about 4hrs. Took over 700 photos with 1DX. My final verdict is this lens going to stay in my bag.

In Ai servo, keeper rate is little less compared to f2.8 - 70-200 f2.8 and 400mm f2.8. However, IQ on the keepers is AWESOME. Let me say that again.....FREAKEN AWESOME ;D

Today I was shooting more softball, and in the 2nd game, I got into a fight with the umpire regarding a quick pitch (pitch is thrown before the batter is ready), and he was being petty and removed me from hugging the fence on the side of the field... so that went well... Damn umpires.

 

[Dylan777]

I was using my 70-200mm today for softball... it would have been tough to limit myself to only 200mm... so I think I may be keeping the lens even if I do elect to upgrade to the 200 f2...

My 6yrs got picked as top five swimmers in her class. She will be competing tomorrow with other teams. Can't wait to shoot with my 1DX. The 400mm will be mounted on 5D III this time. Wish I have another 1DX... :

Finally, I got a chance playing with this lens for about 4hrs. Took over 700 photos with 1DX. My final verdict is this lens going to stay in my bag.

In Ai servo, keeper rate is little less compared to f2.8 - 70-200 f2.8 and 400mm f2.8. However, IQ on the keepers is AWESOME. Let me say that again.....FREAKEN AWESOME ;D

Today I was shooting more softball, and in the 2nd game, I got into a fight with the umpire regarding a quick pitch (pitch is thrown before the batter is ready), and he was being petty and removed me from hugging the fence on the side of the field... so that went well... Damn umpires.

LOL.... ;D

I'm a bit more lucky than you JD. Since I share photos with the coach and other parents, he gave me decent spot = great view. With 200mm & 400mm on hands, getting the shots weren't that difficult.

I saw other teams came with their own photographers. Many of them were black/gold.

 

[TexPhoto]

I was using my 70-200mm today for softball... it would have been tough to limit myself to only 200mm... so I think I may be keeping the lens even if I do elect to upgrade to the 200 f2...

Build quality on this lens is great, but I would just use a softball bat myself. Maybe a 600mm f4 would be the right size, but heavy.

 

[jdramirez]

I was using my 70-200mm today for softball... it would have been tough to limit myself to only 200mm... so I think I may be keeping the lens even if I do elect to upgrade to the 200 f2...

Build quality on this lens is great, but I would just use a softball bat myself. Maybe a 600mm f4 would be the right size, but heavy.

If you bunt,... shouldn't be an issue re: size.

 

[expatinasia]

Curious if you used it with the 2xiii and if so, would you comment on performance.

As Dylan said he has not tried the 2xiii on the 70-200 f/2.8 ii, then I can tell you that I have and it is fine. Of course is nowhere near as good as the 400 or 300 f/2.8 iis, but the images are good and AF works well etc.

My final verdict is this lens going to stay in my bag.

Glad to hear that! It is a terrific lens and offers so much versatility. I shoot with it at 70 a lot, and it is used for videos as well as stills. This lens produces great images.

 

[jaydafly12]

I came here to buy a 70-200 f2.8!! and i'm disappointed haha :'(