graybrick Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 I just paid for a 'used once' EF 70-200 f/2.8, $999 off fleaBay... now I'm having that post-purchase anxiety. Tell me I did the right thing, that I can sell this for as much as I paid if necessary, and how happy this purchase will make me. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobatkins Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 No. you won't be happy. You'll forever wish you spent the extra money and got the IS version... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_macpherson Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 And also forever wish you asked here for a satisfaction forecast BEFORE you purchased...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.gregory Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 I don't know about that sell for as much as you paid thing. I can't figure out why you would want to sell it again at all. If it doesn't make you happy I am sure that there are plenty of people here that will assist you in ridding yourself of it. It is one of the most highly lusted after lenses that Canon ever made. I know Nikon people who wish that they could mount it on their bodies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graybrick Posted April 26, 2008 Author Share Posted April 26, 2008 I never considered the IS version, as the 2.8 was a stretch on my budget already. The f/4 seems too slow, even with IS IMO. I've lusted for this lens for a couple years, since I tried one out for a few frames. Thanks for the vote of no confidence, Bob, you're always good for a reality check. Perhaps you could send along one of the test models people loan you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mendonphoto Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 Well, I own the non-IS version and I haven't shed a tear. I would estimate that IS would be useful to me in that lens about 25% of the time. Certainly not enough to convince me to leave the tripod home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoneguy Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 I've had the non IS version for years, and have never regretted buying. I think the price is a little stiff for the non IS, but it's still a great lens regardless. Just enjoy it. I will be selling mine soon, and only hope to get $999 out of it. I was thinking more like $750. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve torelli Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 GM, I'm sure everyone here is very concerned about your happiness, I know I am, but I have to believe it would have been better to assess your happiness potential about this before dropping a thousand bucks for the lens. If you wanted a 70-200 and you couldn't afford the 2.8IS and the f/4's are too slow for you, looks to me like you made the one and only choice that has the greatest possibility of ensuring your happiness. So, like the song says, "Don't worry ..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobatkins Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 Just pulling your chain Grayson! If you're the sort of person who is inclined to be happy (glass half full), you'll be happy. If you're one of those (and we certainly have our share here) who is rarely if ever, happy with what they have (glass half empty), you won't be happy. We have photo.net members who change their cameras and lenses more frequently than some people change their socks. Whatever they have they think there is something which will be better. The 70-200/2.8 is a very good lens, but if you're a worrier you'll always wonder if you wouldn't have been better off with the 70-200/4L IS or the 70-200/2.8L is. Would IS have been more helpful than that extra stop? You'll never know and that keeps some people up at night. There's also no answer to the question. There is no "Best lens for everyone". Even if you owned every lens that Canon makes, you'd still have to pick which one to take with you unless you can afford to hire an assistant with an electric cart to haul them around after you. The worst part of buying a new lens for the worriers is when they start taking test shots and pixel peeping. Then they start to worry not about whether they have the best possible lens, but about whether their lens is as sharp as it should be, whether it front or back focuses, if the chromatic aberration in the corners is more than it should be and what that little rattle is when they shake it violently. It never ends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davyjo Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 Grayon, First of all, congratulations on the lens purchase. You will be happy. I shot for a couple years with the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 and loved the versatility of the length and aperture. I did upgrade to the Canon 2.8 IS recently and have no regrets. It is wonderful. But at the same time I can't keep wondering if I would have been better off with the f/4 IS or f/2.8 non-IS AND the Canon 10-22mm? Nope, I'm happy as a clam. Spend some time learning how to hold that lens and the 2.8 will help you get those precious shots! Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_smith6 Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 <i> <b>Grayson McBrickwater</b><br> Tell me I did the right thing, that I can sell this for as much as I paid if necessary, and how happy this purchase will make me. <br><br> <b>Bob Atkins</b><br> No. you won't be happy. You'll forever wish you spent the extra money and got the IS version... <br><br> <b>John MacPherson</b><br> And also forever wish you asked here for a satisfaction forecast BEFORE you purchased...... </i> <br><br> I just love this forum xD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_smith6 Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 If you use lens to take sports pictures then IS is 'useless' anyway because you need short shutter speeds and it's "only" 200mm. On the other hand IS would be usefull on concerts/in theatre etc. If you take pictures with monopod and longer shutter speeds. If I took sports pictures at shutter speeds of about 1/1000 to 1/2000 I wouldn't even turn it on. BTW - that's huge and heavy lens, good muscles will be better than any IS. Go to gym :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savas_kyprianides Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 I am getting a 70-200 2.8 L Is one day and would consider later having the f4 version as a mistress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimstrutz Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 For me & what I like to shoot, f/4 with IS would be better. For some others that shoot different things, f/2.8 without IS would be better. For you, I have no idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjb Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 `I just paid for a 'used once' EF 70-200 f/2.8, $999 off fleaBay` Hmm I often wonder Why anybody would buy such a fine lens, only use once then sell it...unless ? Enjoy it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graybrick Posted April 27, 2008 Author Share Posted April 27, 2008 Thanks to all. I've had a good sit, and now I'm about frothing at the mouth waiting for this thing to materialize in the mail. I guess UPS hasn't made that advance just yet, so I'll have to wait a bit longer... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savas_kyprianides Posted April 27, 2008 Share Posted April 27, 2008 By the way, the forum readership benefits far more from a descriptive thread title rather than calling it "Ack!" And you might have gotten far more response from experienced others who are not as inquisitive as we who responded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savas_kyprianides Posted April 27, 2008 Share Posted April 27, 2008 I meant curious, not inquisitive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_gu Posted April 27, 2008 Share Posted April 27, 2008 I'm sure you'll enjoy the lens. It's mighty fast. And if you are still unsure about whether the glass is half full or half empty, why not just switch to a smaller glass? :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graybrick Posted April 27, 2008 Author Share Posted April 27, 2008 @James: I ordered this glass because my current glass isn't big enough :P @Savas: I think I got the response I was looking for. Thanks for the critique of my title, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_macpherson Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Grayson - you've taken the ribbing most graciously! The lens is super sharp and has a satisfyingly heavy feel. It will take great pictures. You will be very pleased with it. Thats my REAL happiness forecast, and for you, it's free. Enjoy, my friend! James: "And if you are still unsure about whether the glass is half full or half empty, why not just switch to a smaller glass? :P" Here in Scotland the process is: Fill the glass, drink half. Instant regret that half is missing. Drink remaining half to feel better. Feel better. Simple! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vivek Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 John MacPherson opined: Here in Scotland the process is: Fill the glass, drink half. Instant regret that half is missing. Drink remaining half to feel better. Feel better. Simple! Now that is what I call true optimist! -- V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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