lovin the white lens

[livin4lax09]

so I have to shoot hockey tomorrow for the paper, so i asked the managing editor if he had a faster lens. He said he had a 200 f/2.8 so I was expecting a canon prime, one of the less-popular ones, all dinged up (because our paper is kinda like that). Went to pick it up, and it's a canon 70-200 f/2.8. I am in love with it. It's so much fun. I've just been wandering around my dorm taking pictures of random crap. keep in mind this is like the only other lens ive used other than my crappy sigma 70-300. I don't think i'm ever going to be able to go back to my crappy sigma now. I always thought "mine can't be that loud while focusing compared to these other cameras." but now it sounds like a motorcycle compared to this lens. I'm screwed when i go back. Maybe i'll just hold onto this sucker for a while... ;) I'm going to have to get the sigma version this christmas.

[JSPhoto]

hahaha... thats funny. I used the papers 70-200 once and it was a crappy thing, chips in the lens, dinged from abuse, coating missing, hood taped on... but it worked, and the chips in the lens front glass did not affect the pictures.

JS

[JTcooper]

hahaha... thats funny. I used the papers 70-200 once and it was a crappy thing, chips in the lens, dinged from abuse, coating missing, hood taped on... but it worked, and the chips in the lens front glass did not affect the pictures.

JS

yall are so funny...lol. that is what I have and I love its from day one but its still brand new though. I mean look and feel like brand new that what I mean.

[JSPhoto]

yall are so funny...lol. that is what I have and I love its from day one but its still brand new though. I mean look and feel like brand new that what I mean.

Yeah I have a new 70-200mm USM IS as well, it is off white or actually more gray than white. It's so you can tell the diffrence between the generation 1& 2 and 3 versions. My new one is generation 3 with the 2 IS modes....it kind of freaked me at first seeing gray, and I kept thinking grey market lens, but then saw the warranty card and they are USA only so I checked and sure enough they changed the color..... whew!

JS

[JTcooper]

Yeah I have a new 70-200mm USM IS as well, it is off white or actually more gray than white. It's so you can tell the diffrence between the generation 1& 2 and 3 versions. My new one is generation 3 with the 2 IS modes....it kind of freaked me at first seeing gray, and I kept thinking grey market lens, but then saw the warranty card and they are USA only so I checked and sure enough they changed the color..... whew!

JS

yeah, that is the same thing happen to me when I bought mine. I thought it should be white too. so, when did they switching from white to lite grey JS?

[livin4lax09]

yeah, mines a bit grey. Listen to me, I'm already referring to it as "mine!" Anyways, JSphoto, do you shoot with IS all the time? Do you find it makes that big of a difference? I was thinking it really wouldn't because generally I shoot about 1/500, and I don't get very much camera shake.

[JSPhoto]

yeah, mines a bit grey. Listen to me, I'm already referring to it as "mine!" Anyways, JSphoto, do you shoot with IS all the time? Do you find it makes that big of a difference? I was thinking it really wouldn't because generally I shoot about 1/500, and I don't get very much camera shake.

Yes I use the IS but I tend to shoot the slowest or close to it that I can, even racing in daytime I shoot ISO 800 and slow the shutter and control the exposure with the aperature for motion... habit from shooting for the AP... they do not want "still" tires. The paper meanwhile likes a slight amount of motion to make the shot less stale.
Only time I do not use IS is on a tripod for landscapes and so on.
Does that lens have one or two modes?

JS

[JETA]

yeah, mines a bit grey. Listen to me, I'm already referring to it as "mine!" Anyways, JSphoto, do you shoot with IS all the time? Do you find it makes that big of a difference? I was thinking it really wouldn't because generally I shoot about 1/500, and I don't get very much camera shake.

LOLOLOL! I have that lens with IS, but I have nothing to compare it to. I thought mine was off white.

[JSPhoto]

LOLOLOL! I have that lens with IS, but I have nothing to compare it to. I thought mine was off white.

Well my eyes are all messed up anyway.... proven by my pictures ... off white and grey are probably the same in my little mind .... too many head injuries playin hockey and football, too many wrecks, on and off the track... Oh well at least I can tell the difference between red and green

JS

[JSPhoto]

Hey Livin4lax.... I know ya like that lens, but you need to return it sooner or later...... ok, I'll go with later

JS

[CWatsonJr]

That is the lens I just purchased... I am in love again ;)

BTW... The IS will disable itself when it is on a tripod (not a monopod)... it knows

Keep and extra battery pack charged because the IS is run by it and it will wear the battery down 20% more than usual (thats what the book says).

I was playing with the lens last night in between the JV and Varsity game. I was taking pictures of the cheerleaders doing flips (on the dark track - not the lit field and from the stands). I turned on my 420DX and the shots came out nice. I was showing off I guess... wanted my wife to know the money was worth it (she kept saying WOW)

It was pretty foggy last night, so I had Mike turn off the flash and take pictures of the varsity game in Av mode (ISO 1600) and the shots game out really nice. He had a few blurry ones, but I think as he gets used to the lens, the shots will get better. I will post some after he picks out 2 of his favorites.

Got the attention of the basketball coach last night too... hoping to get a good spot to take pics of the basketball games that will be starting soon. Also, the AD was asking Mike if he would come and take pictures of the soccer team when it didn't interfere with his basketball schedule... I think I am jealous.

Anyway... GREAT lens... thanks guys for steering me in the right direction!!

[JSPhoto]

Ummm, I think you need TWO cameras and TWO lenses... That way you won't have to share.
Hey wait a minute... Shouldn't your son be taking the cheerleaders pictures???

JS

[CWatsonJr]

LOL... Mike was cracking up when he read that. His friends want him to take pics of the cheerleaders sooooooooooo bad but he wants to save room for the game. I have 2 - 1 Gb CF cards, and he uses 1 card for each game. Maybe at the next game I can talk him into it (he is still kind of shy around girls, so he doesn't like getting razzed about it).

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm...... two bodies and two lenses... I LIKE THAT IDEA... LOL.

You should have seen what I had to go through just to get this new lens

I need to find someway to make it pay off (monetarily) if I am going to pull a stunt like that My wife knows she is going to get great shots of her babies playing sports... that problem is solved... hmmmm.... the wheels are turning now LOL.

[JSPhoto]

hahaha... I bet he's red eh.... Hey, he better get over being shy, the girls like guys who are athletes and those with cameras too. He's in for double trouble....

Hmmm, well, start sellin them to the paper...
I'm actually thinking of doing something during the day to add to the coffers. There are a number of non sports related choices. More than what I have below but here are a couple:

1: realtors - taking shots of homes and other places that are for sale
2: car and RV dealers sometimes need pictures for brochures etc.
3: Insurance companies and agents - they sometimes need damage photos or property photos for claims, proof of ownership etc.
4: the govt. the federal govt. has use for photos for all kinds of things and contract with photographers for jobs.

JS

[masdog]

When I used to shoot for my high school's yearbook, I used to hate the cheerleaders because they would get me in trouble. I would give in and take their picture, but my advisor would complain because I was wasting precious school film on shots that would never even be considered for the book.

And if I didn't take their picture, or would take pictures of the wrong girls, I would be hounded to no end about it.

[JSPhoto]

I wish I'd have been into photography back in high school........I'd be a millionair today bribing all those girls who's pictures I could have taken or I'd be dead because one of them was po'ed after the pics ended up in Playboy or similar magazine Probably a good thing I got started later.....


JS

[masdog]

Or you would be in a completely different area of photography. Don't underestimate those cheerleaders when it comes to wanting their picture taken.

[JSPhoto]

Your telling me..... I get hounded at EVERY game by these girls to take their pictures, but, I avoid them like the plague! Although one of my favorite shots did have a cheerleader in it. I'll have to dig it out... made the front page of the paper, and told the entire story in one simple shot.

JS

[JSPhoto]

Hey Livin4lax09.... did you return the lens yet? Or are you still "testing" it out?

[livin4lax09]

haven't returned it yet. Didn't have the time yet. I've been too busy with classes and my halloween costume. They haven't asked for it back yet though. I figure I'll at least keep it till wednesday to shoot my girlfriend's playoff game of her senior year at the HS nearby.

[JSPhoto]

Ok.... well have fun at soccer, my season is done.... all the schools in my county are down and out. Still have three of four football teams in the playoffs, all should get through Friday, and if they do there will be one heck of a war up the street from my house in two weeks as two county teams could meet for the sectional title, and the other team could wind up meeting the school that is just five miles from it in the other game... 2 big rivalries. 1 county school is quaranteed a win in that week too so we should have at least 1 maybe 2 teams in the regional championship game in three weeks.

JS

[cnunemaker]

Anyone have any thoughts? I can afford the non IS version now, but will I wish I spent the extra 500 for the IS version? I want to do sports photography and will use it for portraits. I would prefer to hand hold this as much as possible, but would be willing to use a mono if need be. If you guys think I can use the non IS for hand holding weddings, and then use a mono for sports, I will take your advice. thanks

[JSPhoto]

Anyone have any thoughts? I can afford the non IS version now, but will I wish I spent the extra 500 for the IS version? I want to do sports photography and will use it for portraits. I would prefer to hand hold this as much as possible, but would be willing to use a mono if need be. If you guys think I can use the non IS for hand holding weddings, and then use a mono for sports, I will take your advice. thanks

I am not a big fan of using a monopod, for two reasons:
1: Safety - a kid can get speared by those things...better have some good insurance
2: They limit your movement and ability to shoot some types of shots.

I hand shoot everything. I have done it with and without IS, but prefer IS...more "keepers". I have both EF70-200 USM IS f2.8 and the EF28-300 USM IS f3.5-5.6 and use the IS on both (mode 1 most of the time).
For sports I suggest the IS lens, but if you can pan smoothly you can go without it. You didn't mention which camera your using it with, that might make a difference too. If you have a 1D series panning gets easier because the 70-200 balances it so nicely (same weight). With lighter bodies though the weight isn't as even and you tend to pan faster than the subject.
Practice practice...and you pan easily with whatever body your using.
JS

[cnunemaker]

I have the rebel xt for now. wanted to save my money for the lens instead. Do you think the extra keepers I would get with IS would justify the extra $500? I was at B&H last friday and 2 guys behind the counter were trying to talk me out of the IS. Both were photographers and said they use the lens for most of their photos. Said it is hands down better than the sigma. I am jsut looking for other opinions before I drop 1 - 1.5k.

[JSPhoto]

I have the rebel xt for now. wanted to save my money for the lens instead. Do you think the extra keepers I would get with IS would justify the extra $500? I was at B&H last friday and 2 guys behind the counter were trying to talk me out of the IS. Both were photographers and said they use the lens for most of their photos. Said it is hands down better than the sigma. I am jsut looking for other opinions before I drop 1 - 1.5k.

My feeling is if you do a lot of sports, making money at it, shoot indoors or low light a lot go with the Canon IS version, if not, you may be better off with the Sigma, as it is just as good as the Canon non-is version. AF is slightly slower but not noticable. You can get the Sigma for 650 if you hunt around. For me the Canon IS version is the best choice, but I do this for a living.

JS