My new 70-200 f/2.8L IS II arrived

So, my new 70-200 f/2.8L IS II just arrived! I originally thought the new 100-400 would be my next purchase, but as I thought about what I shoot, I changed. With my kids running around and daughter into figure skating, I find myself shooting more in auditoriums and rinks rather than outdoors. As much as I would love up to 400 in theory, I will get a lot more use in the 70-200 range.

With skating, I need shutter speed of 1/320 to 1/500. The f/4 has been good, but find myself towards ISO 6400 a lot and a little more background blur would be good to isolate the skater more. I am looking forward to some test shots this weekend during practice.

Question on the tripod mount. I find it rotates a little rough compared to the f/4 IS. On the f/4, the barrel is smooth, so the fuzzy side of the ring lets it rotate pretty nice. With the f/2.8 it has the 4 little bearings and they clack against the 4 slots in the ring as you rotate. Is that to be expected?

Otherwise, great so far. It will take a little time to get use to the size and weight. It is twice my largest lens to date.

Thanks,
Eric

Congrats Eric...and given what you describe, great choice.

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Originally Posted by Kayaker72

Congrats Eric...and given what you describe, great choice.

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Thanks Brant, was able to use it this evening at practice. Look forward to see how they turn out.

Does your tripod ring true similar to what I describe? Trying to figure out what I should expect.

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Originally Posted by EricPvpi

Question on the tripod mount. I find it rotates a little rough compared to the f/4 IS. On the f/4, the barrel is smooth, so the fuzzy side of the ring lets it rotate pretty nice. With the f/2.8 it has the 4 little bearings and they clack against the 4 slots in the ring as you rotate. Is that to be expected?

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Congratulations on getting a great lens.

I got mine in 2014, and the tripod mount does the same thing yours does.

Pat

Congrats,

the tripod ring is normal
the lens itself will have a bit of play between the lens and body, this is normal
it should be sharp wide open
typically they are a bit softer on the 70mm end
I had a harder time doing an afma on mine with the crop bodies, on FF it was easier

Enjoy, it is one of Canons great lenses

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Originally Posted by EricPvpi

Question on the tripod mount. I find it rotates a little rough compared to the f/4 IS. On the f/4, the barrel is smooth, so the fuzzy side of the ring lets it rotate pretty nice. With the f/2.8 it has the 4 little bearings and they clack against the 4 slots in the ring as you rotate. Is that to be expected?

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Same with others, that is what mine does as well.

Enjoy. I don't often thing about which lens is my "favorite." More about what lens to do what I want.....but......

If 70-200 II hasn't become my favorite it is darn close.

Congrats,
Agree w/ the comments about the tripod collar. If you want to have some fun (OK so I am unusual) put an extension tube on it had walk around in the flowers at the local botanical garden - bugs, bees, flowers lots of fun. Yea, its heavy, and you focus more w/ the zoom than the focus ring, but what a blast - the IQ the lens is capable of is plenty good for an extension tube

It is my favorite lens by a long ways.

Thanks all for the feedback on the tripod ring. I'll just need to get used to it. For skating competitions, I shoot a lot on a monopod and use the ring to rotate orientation. With the f/4 ring it was a lot easier to set the tension where I wanted. With the f/2.8 it is either locked or loose.

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Originally Posted by HDNitehawk

Congrats,
the lens itself will have a bit of play between the lens and body, this is normal

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I have very little play between the lens and the body. Not enough to notice. I had a lot more on my 60D + 17-55 f/2.8.

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Originally Posted by Busted Knuckles

If you want to have some fun (OK so I am unusual) put an extension tube on it had walk around in the flowers at the local botanical garden - bugs, bees, flowers lots of fun. Yea, its heavy, and you focus more w/ the zoom than the focus ring, but what a blast - the IQ the lens is capable of is plenty good for an extension tube
.

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I don't have any extension tubes. I do have the 100L IS macro for that type of fun. Do you think the 70-200 + tubes would give me more fun?


So far, happy with the choice. I debated a while on it. I have been really happy with the f/4 and hesitant due to cost and weight increase. The 100-400 would have been great, but I know it would sit a lot. And I find myself in a lot of light-starved kid arenas where a flash isn't appropriate. My son just started some indoor soccer and I now find myself thinking "Hey, I can shoot in here".

I will definitely have to improve my focusing skills. I haven't always been the best and now I will have less margin of error. I will try doing AFMA at some point soon.

Some test shots so far.

Unintended self portrait (if you look real close).
f/2.8, 1/100s, ISO6400
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7475/...e9c3928e_z.jpg2M3A5644.jpg by EricPvpi2, on Flickr

Definately a lot more background blur. Birdfeeder is right outside our dining area, these are shot through the glass door.
f/2.8, 1/320s, ISO200
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7461/...d5c431a0_z.jpg2M3A5658.jpg by EricPvpi2, on Flickr

f/3.2, 1/250s, ISO100
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7571/...35d7626c_z.jpg2M3A5661.jpg by EricPvpi2, on Flickr

Main goal was the skating. Definately getting the drop in ISO I wanted, which will give me more room with shutter speed. I'll need more practice. I typically use zone AF and found it was locking onto background more often. Most likely the user.

f/2.8, 1/320s, ISO1250
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8671/...08b7d031_z.jpg2M3A5693.jpg by EricPvpi2, on Flickr

f/2.8, 1/320s, ISO2000
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8649/...cf2f366a_z.jpg2M3A5753.jpg by EricPvpi2, on Flickr

f/3.2, 1/400, ISO1600
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7567/...93cba6bf_z.jpg2M3A5773.jpg by EricPvpi2, on Flickr

Now I just need the 5D3 firmware update for exposure compensation in Manual. I typically want +2/3 on exposure with my shutter speed around 1/400s +/- and f/2.8 for 1 skater and going to f/4 - f/5.6 for team skating.

Thanks,
Eric

[edit] upped exposure a little on skating shots. Still needs work, but that is for another day.

Hi and congrats on a great lens!

Of course it may be personal preference, but in my opinion all three skating shots are more or less underexposed. Instead of using exposure compensation in a venue like this, my suggestion would be to lock the exposure manually - it shouldn't vary too much across the ice. Judging from the EXIF you provided for these shots I'd suggest f/2.8, 1/400 sec and ISO3200 or even brighter (e.g. 1/500-1/640 sec at ISO6400).

Have fun getting to know your new "best friend"!

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Originally Posted by cls

Hi and congrats on a great lens!

Of course it may be personal preference, but in my opinion all three skating shots are more or less underexposed. Instead of using exposure compensation in a venue like this, my suggestion would be to lock the exposure manually - it shouldn't vary too much across the ice. Judging from the EXIF you provided for these shots I'd suggest f/2.8, 1/400 sec and ISO3200 or even brighter (e.g. 1/500-1/640 sec at ISO6400).

Have fun getting to know your new "best friend"!

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Thanks. I completely agree on the exposure. I thought they looked better in Lightroom before exporting, I'll need to adjust them a little. The rinks vary in lighting, some are consistently lit others are spotty. Depending on the competition, some will use spotlights on the skaters. But mainly, I like exposure compensation since I don't trust myself yet on ISO or being able to change it quickly. I'll vary my speed based on the skater as well. 1/320 for newer, 1/500 for the older girls doing bigger jumps. As I progress, I'll have to start playing with manual settings and see how I do.

Thanks for the feedback.
Eric