70-200mm lens at DVinfo.net

Pete Cofrancesco · July 14th, 2015, 09:35 AM

What is the best practice using this lens? More specifically when would you use IS image stabilization. I can't see using this hand held given the focal length with a 1.6 crop (112-320). I'm assuming on a tripod IS is off? Seems like it be tricky to use considering it's size weight and focal length, having enough room between your subject

Leon Bailey · July 14th, 2015, 12:31 PM

I keep it on when it's on a tripod. Not sure if that's the proper way, but I just do it lol. But yeah, handheld on video is out of the question.

Steve Bleasdale · July 14th, 2015, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Cofrancesco

What is the best practice using this lens? More specifically when would you use IS image stabilization. I can't see using this hand held given the focal length with a 1.6 crop (112-320). I'm assuming on a tripod IS is off? Seems like it be tricky to use considering it's size weight and focal length, having enough room between your subject

On my assistants camera 98% of the time. Fantastic on a mono-pod all day, tripod from back of church and speeches on a tripod, rest of day mono-pod.

Adrian Tan · July 14th, 2015, 02:33 PM

Hi Pete, there's an old idea that it's better to turn IS off when you're on a tripod (or switch the stabiliser mode to mode 2 on the lens), because otherwise it fights you. Well, that's sometimes true, but let me also add -- there's potentially little shakes quite often even when you're using a tripod. It depends on everything -- how steady the floor is, how good your tripod is and whether vibrations are transferred from touching pan handle, etc.

Talking Canon lenses... I occasionally use the 135 as a lens on couple during speeches, and I often wish it had IS. Ditto with 100mm with IS off -- I notice vibrations in image, even when tripod is locked off. So my gut feeling is when you've got that 70-200 zoomed in to 100 or tighter, use IS. But do your own tests and work out for yourself. When it's set up on a tripod one day, just turn it off and see if you notice any difference.

By the way, you're quite right that minimum focal length and focus distance (about 1.5m, and there's a switch for this on lens itself) might be the main pain with this lens. If it's a really tight bridal prep or ceremony, you'll probably need something wider and with smaller minimum focal distance. For everything else, it's a great lens. It's in the kit bag of every Canon photographer in the world, and probably every Canon videographer (although Still Motion used to recommend using the 135mm instead).

Kyle Root · July 14th, 2015, 03:29 PM

I use my 70-200 on a tripod at the reception for sure. Usually have my Nikon Coolpix A on a bracket that is shooting the dance floor wide.

General rule of thumb is, if on a tripod, VR IS OS should be off.

The exception to that is if in an environment with excessive HF or LF vibration such as a helicopter.

I know Nikon VR can compensate for those kinds of vibration via the "active" mode, as opposed to the "normal" mode. Not sure if Canon has a similar mode or not.

Steve Bleasdale · July 14th, 2015, 03:48 PM

Just keep the stabilizer on it gets rid of micro jitters from the floor and tripod

Pete Cofrancesco · July 14th, 2015, 05:53 PM

I was going to rent it but decided to make my life easier and instead bought a 100mm to compliment my 17-55mm. That way I can have it on me at all times and swap lens if I need the extra reach. It won't have the flexibility of a zoom but some things you have try them out to see if it fits your style.

I can see what you mean depending on the floor and the activity like dancing you can get vibrations. I'll give it a try next wedding.

Steve Bleasdale · July 15th, 2015, 03:36 AM

100 mm very good but no stabilizer so you will have to use a tripod on that one./

Nigel Barker · July 15th, 2015, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Bleasdale

100 mm very good but no stabilizer so you will have to use a tripod on that one./

The fantastic 100mm F/2.8L 100mm Macro lens does have stabilisation.

BTW The image is fantastic but the cheap plasticky feel of the 100mm F/2.8L 100mm Macro is utter shite. It looks like a cheap copy of a Canon 'L'l lens & not the Real McCoy.

Steve Bleasdale · July 15th, 2015, 10:37 AM

No good for video nigel? Just photos?

Nigel Barker · July 15th, 2015, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Bleasdale

No good for video nigel? Just photos?

Steve, I am not sure wha you mean. No DSLR lens has stabilisation designed for shooting video.

Steve Bleasdale · July 16th, 2015, 02:05 AM

Sure i have the 17-55mm 2.8 and exceptional for video but of course not designed for that. I meant is the 100 mm any good for video, have you used it.

Nigel Barker · July 16th, 2015, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Bleasdale

Sure i have the 17-55mm 2.8 and exceptional for video but of course not designed for that. I meant is the 100 mm any good for video, have you used it.

We no longer have any Canon gear but we used the 100mm for video a lot. It's a lot lighter than the 70-200mm but of course less flexible as it's not a zoom. It seems that the sweet spot for bokeh is F/2.8 at 100mm which is why so much shot with the 70-200 looks so fabulous. It's a lot cheaper too. It's wonderful for macro too of course (stills or video).

Steve Bleasdale · July 16th, 2015, 03:26 AM

Great thanks Nigel i need another longish lens i will look at some to use on a second 6d. cheers Steve

July 14th, 2015, 09:35 AM	#1
Pete Cofrancesco Inner Circle Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,005	70-200mm lens What is the best practice using this lens? More specifically when would you use IS image stabilization. I can't see using this hand held given the focal length with a 1.6 crop (112-320). I'm assuming on a tripod IS is off? Seems like it be tricky to use considering it's size weight and focal length, having enough room between your subject

July 14th, 2015, 12:31 PM	#2
Leon Bailey Regular Crew Join Date: May 2013 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 126	Re: 70-200mm lens I keep it on when it's on a tripod. Not sure if that's the proper way, but I just do it lol. But yeah, handheld on video is out of the question.

July 14th, 2015, 02:33 PM	#4
Adrian Tan Trustee Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 1,149	Re: 70-200mm lens Hi Pete, there's an old idea that it's better to turn IS off when you're on a tripod (or switch the stabiliser mode to mode 2 on the lens), because otherwise it fights you. Well, that's sometimes true, but let me also add -- there's potentially little shakes quite often even when you're using a tripod. It depends on everything -- how steady the floor is, how good your tripod is and whether vibrations are transferred from touching pan handle, etc. Talking Canon lenses... I occasionally use the 135 as a lens on couple during speeches, and I often wish it had IS. Ditto with 100mm with IS off -- I notice vibrations in image, even when tripod is locked off. So my gut feeling is when you've got that 70-200 zoomed in to 100 or tighter, use IS. But do your own tests and work out for yourself. When it's set up on a tripod one day, just turn it off and see if you notice any difference. By the way, you're quite right that minimum focal length and focus distance (about 1.5m, and there's a switch for this on lens itself) might be the main pain with this lens. If it's a really tight bridal prep or ceremony, you'll probably need something wider and with smaller minimum focal distance. For everything else, it's a great lens. It's in the kit bag of every Canon photographer in the world, and probably every Canon videographer (although Still Motion used to recommend using the 135mm instead).

July 14th, 2015, 03:29 PM	#5
Kyle Root Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Decatur, AL Posts: 883	Re: 70-200mm lens I use my 70-200 on a tripod at the reception for sure. Usually have my Nikon Coolpix A on a bracket that is shooting the dance floor wide. General rule of thumb is, if on a tripod, VR IS OS should be off. The exception to that is if in an environment with excessive HF or LF vibration such as a helicopter. I know Nikon VR can compensate for those kinds of vibration via the "active" mode, as opposed to the "normal" mode. Not sure if Canon has a similar mode or not. __________________ Kyle KR Productions; www.kyleroot.com

July 14th, 2015, 03:48 PM	#6
Steve Bleasdale Trustee Join Date: May 2010 Location: England liverpool Posts: 1,343	Re: 70-200mm lens Just keep the stabilizer on it gets rid of micro jitters from the floor and tripod

July 14th, 2015, 05:53 PM	#7
Pete Cofrancesco Inner Circle Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,005	Re: 70-200mm lens I was going to rent it but decided to make my life easier and instead bought a 100mm to compliment my 17-55mm. That way I can have it on me at all times and swap lens if I need the extra reach. It won't have the flexibility of a zoom but some things you have try them out to see if it fits your style. I can see what you mean depending on the floor and the activity like dancing you can get vibrations. I'll give it a try next wedding.

July 15th, 2015, 03:36 AM	#8
Steve Bleasdale Trustee Join Date: May 2010 Location: England liverpool Posts: 1,343	Re: 70-200mm lens 100 mm very good but no stabilizer so you will have to use a tripod on that one./

July 15th, 2015, 10:37 AM	#10
Steve Bleasdale Trustee Join Date: May 2010 Location: England liverpool Posts: 1,343	Re: 70-200mm lens No good for video nigel? Just photos?

July 16th, 2015, 02:05 AM	#12
Steve Bleasdale Trustee Join Date: May 2010 Location: England liverpool Posts: 1,343	Re: 70-200mm lens Sure i have the 17-55mm 2.8 and exceptional for video but of course not designed for that. I meant is the 100 mm any good for video, have you used it.

July 16th, 2015, 03:26 AM	#14
Steve Bleasdale Trustee Join Date: May 2010 Location: England liverpool Posts: 1,343	Re: 70-200mm lens Great thanks Nigel i need another longish lens i will look at some to use on a second 6d. cheers Steve