70-200 2.8 IS vs 70-200 2.8 IS MII

I

iConquer

Active member
I am about to pull the trigger on getting myself a Canon 70-200 2.8

Can someone help me by telling me what is the difference between the 1st version and the new 2nd version? I will be shooting mostly 85% video and 15% photo.

My friend told me to just get the 1st version and keep the savings. So need help learning what's the big difference for the price tag.
 
suicdekng said:
Any word on the image stabilization in video mode?
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The image stabilization in video mode works wonders. When I played with an f4 IS I was able to handheld without looking like I have Parkinsons and there was no jello in the footage.

IS is extremely worth the money. I believe even Phillip uses the IS on a tripod when shooting interviews just in case he wants to reframe the shot a small little bump wont ruin the footage.

The motor in the IS system does however make a little bit of whining noise that would certainly be picked up on the onboard mic.

Hope this helps
 
I got to use a 2.8L IS II on a shoot a few weeks ago, very kindly loaned by a photographer's assistant. The IS on this is utterly brilliant, you can shoot at 200mm perfectly with no wobbles whatsoever, I was so impressed that I bought one two weeks later and don't regret it. The F4 may be sharper but I shoot a lot of stuff indoors so the extra stop was crucial to me, and from what I've shot so far it is more than sharp enough for 7D sensors, even wide open
 
For a telephoto lens, I wouldn't shoot video without IS unless I was on a tripod. Even the canon 85mm is pretty much impossible to use for video handheld without some sort of stabilization, and I can't imagine how anyone would get anything usable at 200mm without the IS.
 
So that would make the canon 200mm f2.8 a big no go for video !? I would use it on a proffesional tripod.
 
Everts said:
So that would make the canon 200mm f2.8 a big no go for video !? I would use it on a proffesional tripod.
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I have to ask what you are planning on shooting with a 200mm lens on an APS-c camera? Wildlife? Sporting events? The moon (JK)? I hardly every use my 90mm much less my 135mm or 180mm. The typical cine prime set cover 18, 25, 35, 50 and 85, anything else is a specialty lens.
 
saneproductions said:
I have to ask what you are planning on shooting with a 200mm lens on an APS-c camera? Wildlife? Sporting events? The moon (JK)? I hardly every use my 90mm much less my 135mm or 180mm. The typical cine prime set cover 18, 25, 35, 50 and 85, anything else is a specialty lens.
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I have used that lens at 200mm for video before, to get head shots of people presenting to a crowd at an event. It certainly is not a range that is going to be used often in more creative work, but when you are filming live events, you will need to stand further back to accommodate a crowd, which makes a long throw lens a very useful thing to have.
 
Everts said:
So that would make the canon 200mm f2.8 a big no go for video !? I would use it on a proffesional tripod.
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If you are always using a professional tripod than you may not need the IS, but video at 200mm without IS or a tripod is pretty much useless. Even video at 200mm with a cheap tripod doesn't work very well.
 
markblasco said:
I have used that lens at 200mm for video before, to get head shots of people presenting to a crowd at an event. It certainly is not a range that is going to be used often in more creative work, but when you are filming live events, you will need to stand further back to accommodate a crowd, which makes a long throw lens a very useful thing to have.
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I suppose, but in that case you would really be better off with a video camera as the 12min record limit and sensor overheating issues make it tough to use DSLR. Also I was especially referring to the 200mm prime. People have these crazy ideas about getting the extreme focal lengths before covering the normal range of 17-50 + 85
 
iplaysnowboards said:
The image stabilization in video mode works wonders. When I played with an f4 IS I was able to handheld without looking like I have Parkinsons and there was no jello in the footage.

IS is extremely worth the money. I believe even Phillip uses the IS on a tripod when shooting interviews just in case he wants to reframe the shot a small little bump wont ruin the footage.

The motor in the IS system does however make a little bit of whining noise that would certainly be picked up on the onboard mic.

Hope this helps
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Honestly, i think IS for video is pointless. Who shoots hand held with a 70-200?

I'd say save 900 dollars and buy the nonIS version.
 
I wouldn't say its pointless. Even on a tripod shooting action sports from a distance can be difficult. Having the IS would make a huge difference.

It really depends on what you are shooting.
 
eheath said:
Honestly, i think IS for video is pointless. Who shoots hand held with a 70-200?

I'd say save 900 dollars and buy the nonIS version.
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Hardly anyone, but the IS means I can shoot along the full length using just a tactical shooter with no problems. No IS would save you 900 on lens, but add that cost to getting the whole thing stable.
 
eheath said:
Honestly, i think IS for video is pointless. Who shoots hand held with a 70-200?

I'd say save 900 dollars and buy the nonIS version.
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Assuming you have a professional quality tripod, and rails to support the lens, and a follow focus, then I agree. Anything less than a pro setup and you can end up with jitter on the lens, and jello in the shot, especially on windy days. The follow focus would be a must, as putting your hand on the lens will cause micro jitter as well.

That micro jitter disappears with the IS, so it might be cheaper in the long run if you're semi-pro and don't have all that gak & shrap.

Also, if you ever plan to take photos with it, don't think twice, get the IS.
 
saneproductions said:
I have to ask what you are planning on shooting with a 200mm lens on an APS-c camera? Wildlife? Sporting events? The moon (JK)? I hardly every use my 90mm much less my 135mm or 180mm. The typical cine prime set cover 18, 25, 35, 50 and 85, anything else is a specialty lens.
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Yes wildlife ...and some stockfootage from certain events so basically wildlife :)
Just read that the 200mm prime has IS.
 
Everts said:
Yes wildlife ...and some stockfootage from certain events so basically wildlife :)
Just read that the 200mm prime has IS.
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Which one? There are two. One 2.8 and one 2.0. One is more than 7 times more expensive than the other. And only the expensive one has IS (and I am only talking about the primes).

Regards,

G.
 
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IS is crucial on this lens. I used it to film surfing with the 2x extender. Even on a tripod if there is any wind, the lens jitters like crazy at the long focal length. With IS on, no jitters at all, rock solid. With IS off, there is a bunch of micro jitters, especially when you try to focus,
 
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