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Canon EF 70-200mm f4L
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I am thinking about buying a Canon EF 70-200mm f4L for sports photography. I currently have a EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS, but it isn’t the sharpest & I’m starting to work for a football team, so soft pics won’t go down well. I toyed with upgrading to a Canon EOD 1D MK II, but I’ve been told upgrading the lens is a better bet.
I just want to know if anyone has this lens, what’s it like overall and for sports photography? I know the f4 is kinda slow, but I’ve a flashgun so it’s not a problem.
Also, does anyone have the Canon EOS 1D MK II, because I might just save up afterwards & get it too, if the reviews are good.
The Canon 70-200 f4.0 is a lovely lens to work with, a bit slow but I have to tell you that you
wo’nt be allowed use flash on the sidelines at any game so that idea is out. To compensate
for the f4.0 just increase the ISO a bit to get a higher shutter speed…I used a Canon 100-400
f5.6 for years before I upgraded my gear…even used it at international games in Croke Park
and I always got some great shots and overall the rest were acceptable…dont get hung up on
gear yet…yes the MK 11 would be a great combination with the 70-200 f4.0 but I used a 40D
with the 100-400 up until 2 years ago and never had a bother.Noel.
Hi,
There is a big difference between photographing football in low light/nightime/winter time
and summer light/daytime. Different football also grounds have different lighting standards.I used the Nikon 70-200 f2.8 lens (old version) for a few years at League of Ireland grounds
I now use the VR1 upgrade of that. I would say that you would need at least an F4 in
any brand.If you are photographing in floodlights, meter different areas of the pitch.
Identify where floodlights are strongest and photograph when the action moved into these
sweet zones (higher apertures or higher shutter speeds can be used in these zones to get
sharper images).Even if the football is daytime football, poor winter light will cost you 3-4 stops
So you’ll need every stop you have and fast autofocus to get good action shots.Personally I wouldn’t buy a new lens – get a good second hand one from a dealer or one
well checked from a private seller (adverts.ie) and save a lot of money.I bought a new Sigma 120-300 f2.8 some years ago and was very dissappointed with it.
So I would stick with Canon. The 70-200 f2.8 and f4 will always earn its money because
it’s needed in different areas of photography whereas the 300mm f2.8 (which I also owned)
wouldn’t justify it’s use unless you were doing a lot of field sports.Hope this is a help.
Good luck with the football photography.
Gerry.
Thanks for the reply’s guys.
Sorry Noel, I meant to add I do photograph football, but I specialise in motorsport. The 100-400mm L, did you ever suffer with dust being blown onto the sensor? I looked at one but was told not to bother cause it sucks dust into the sensor. Do you still have the 40D, or have you upgraded?
What is the 70-200mm f4L like for motorsport?
What do people think of Adorama.com? I was just looking at the 70-200mm f4L on Adorama.com, it’s cheaper than Amazon, but not so much cheaper to seem dodgy.
Adorama are in America and very hard to avoid getting hit with taxes and charges from there.
The Canon 7-200f4 is a real lightweight lens and would be good for motorsport once you are
close enough to the action. There are hundreds of photographers out there using the 100-400
but I have to say I never had any more dust on my sensor than I get now…its usually when you
change lenses that most of the dust gets onto your sensor. The 40D was sold last year.Noel.
http://www.adverts.ie/lenses/canon-70-200mm-f-4-0-l-non-is/826043″ onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
brownie wrote:
http://www.adverts.ie/lenses/canon-70-200mm-f-4-0-l-non-is/826043
Thanks Noel. I was looking at it on Adorama.com (see below link), can get it for $674, which works out at about £420. Have you ever used Adorama before?
http://www.adorama.com/CA702004AFU.html” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
Used Adorama. Excellent service. State taxes in NY high. Find out state tax, delivery and import duties first.
Had a relation pick it up and send it privately – so no import tax. But state tax still has to be paid – was about 7%ish I think
but they will tell you the exact amount and will quote delivery but they will not know import duty – up to you to find out..Rgds,
Gerry.
I would never as I said already use any of the places in America because they post everything to
Ireland and 9 times out of 10 you will get caught for taxes. By the way, just for shipping alone costs from $50 to $100
so you have to add that, add another 7% and add our taxes…stick closer to home for this.Noel.
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