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

[EricPvpi]

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.

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

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.

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
.

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
2M3A5644.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
2M3A5658.jpg by EricPvpi2, on Flickr

f/3.2, 1/250s, ISO100
2M3A5661.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
2M3A5693.jpg by EricPvpi2, on Flickr

f/2.8, 1/320s, ISO2000
2M3A5753.jpg by EricPvpi2, on Flickr

f/3.2, 1/400, ISO1600
2M3A5773.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.