Thanks for the input and great advice, everyone!


In this case, fate jumped in and helped with the choice - and it turned out to be a 'none of the above' sort of choice. Yesterday morning, anEF 200mm f/2.8<span style="color:red;"]LII USM was listed on my local Craigslist. Yes, it lacks the flexibility of a zoom (and lacks IS, but so does the 70-200 f/4 I was considering). But it has many of the attributes I was looking for (excellent IQ, wide aperture, easy to carry, and of course, immediate gratification!). I had actually considered that lens vs. the 70-200 f/4 non-IS, but the 200mm prime is more expensive in the new lens market. However, this used lens is in like-new condition, and for $425 it was just too good a value to pass up (an even better bargain than a 70-200 f/4 non-IS, even a used one, and as an added bonus, if I decide to sell it down the line, I will at least break even, and quite likely make a profit!).