Quote Originally Posted by this_gurl
I do have a tripod however I prefer not to use it, but that may just be a matter of getting used to it.

I found it very easy to handle the 70-200 f4L at sports without a tripod or monopod. I know some people think differently, but in my eyes it limits your flexibility. And the 70-200 isn't that big so your probably not getting very tired from handholding it.


Quote Originally Posted by this_gurl
I read a review that stated this lens was great for portraits!

Don't get me wrong...it is! It's just not an easy lens to use for portraiture. The f4 aperture limits your back/fore-ground differentiation (blur) and although it is possible to get some nice blur. It's not easy. Also the 200mm focal length without IS needs you to have a shutterspeed higher than necessary for portraiture for shooting handheld. This means you'd have bump up your iso at some time, which isn't helping you with portraiture. So to eliminate the shutterspeed "problem" with the lens you could buy the IS version. However it does remain an f4 lens(read: hard to get that desired out of focus blur). Since your camera body isn't weathersealed, the extra weathersealing advantage of the 70-200 f4L IS version isn't used either.


For the extra money for the IS system you could also buy a better lens for portraiture. Think about an 85mm 1.8 which makes a great portrait lens, much better than the 70-200!


So for the money you could get the best of both worlds: 70-200 f4L non IS for sports(and also portraiture with nice weather) and an additional lens for portraiture (which could also be used in low-light and indoor conditions!).


Think about it,


Jan


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Quote Originally Posted by this_gurl


Wanted to point out, as I didnt mention in the original post that the other lens I have is theCanon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens (was cheap at the time I bought my camera and just wanted something to play with)


<div>That lens should give you an idea of how you can get strong out of focus blur, which is highly desired with most portraits. However, the 50mm 1.8 is not a lens you should have if you're more serious about portraiture. Bokeh isn't pleasing and auto-focus is slow.</div>
<div>What type of portraiture do you prefer to shoot? full body shots? tight shoulder/head portraits?</div>
<div>Oh and what kit-lens do you have?</div>
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