C100: F4 or F2.8? (70-200 L IS) IS Noise?

C

Conan Coatsworth

Member
Hiya guys, after my mistake with the Tamron long lens I have decided to purchase either the Canon 70-200L F4 or F2.8.

After thinning out all of the pros and cons of both lenses for my type of usage (preferably handheld but will be using a monopod a lot of the time. Hardly ever shoot wide open. Prefer a lighter lens) I have come to the conclusion that the only thing I need to concern myself with regarding these two lenses is the noise from the image stabilisation.

Could anyone tell me if the f4 has really noisy IS. Would it be unusable for a silent moment in a church (vows etc) when used on a C100.

Does the onboard stereomic pick it up?

Ive heard that the F2.8 is much quieter than the F4 version. Is this true?

I'm not a lens snob and would love to go with the F4 just because of the lighter weight but I need a lens that has quiet IS. My 17-55 and 100L have noise levels that are fine for me.

Cheers in advance for your help chaps.
 
Raise the bridge or lower the river? Maybe a better solution is to get a more directional mic so the lens noise is less of an issue. I use an XLR connected shotgun and haven't had any issues with the lens IS noise.
 
@Andrius True. Wise words. Which of these lenses do you use?

I've used that set up and it's great because I can dual record and then pick and choose which track to go with depending on the feel I'm looking for, but i'd like to get the quietest lens so that if I have to rely on the C100's mic it won't cause me too many issues.

If I had a shop that sold them anywhere near me then i'd get along pronto and try them out. Cornwall.... It's a great place but a bit remote sometimes.
 
70-200 is noise

70-200 is noise

The 70-200 f4 has much noisier IS than the 2.8. It actually sounds ridiculously loud in a quiet room. But, you get used to it, and for my C100 I exchanged my 2.8 for a 4 and have never looked back. Perfectly light weight, even handheld. It's so light I bring mine everywhere without even thinking about portability, whereas the 2.8 was always a question of whether I'd need it for anything but interviews.

good luck!


Conan Coatsworth said:
Hiya guys, after my mistake with the Tamron long lens I have decided to purchase either the Canon 70-200L F4 or F2.8.

After thinning out all of the pros and cons of both lenses for my type of usage (preferably handheld but will be using a monopod a lot of the time. Hardly ever shoot wide open. Prefer a lighter lens) I have come to the conclusion that the only thing I need to concern myself with regarding these two lenses is the noise from the image stabilisation.

Could anyone tell me if the f4 has really noisy IS. Would it be unusable for a silent moment in a church (vows etc) when used on a C100.

Does the onboard stereomic pick it up?

Ive heard that the F2.8 is much quieter than the F4 version. Is this true?

I'm not a lens snob and would love to go with the F4 just because of the lighter weight but I need a lens that has quiet IS. My 17-55 and 100L have noise levels that are fine for me.

Cheers in advance for your help chaps.
Click to expand...
 
Conan Coatsworth said:
If I had a shop that sold them anywhere near me then i'd get along pronto and try them out. Cornwall.... It's a great place but a bit remote sometimes.
Click to expand...

Cornwall Cameras in Truro will probably get both in for you to try - they were always very helpful when I lived down there.

Ben.
 
+1 for @slavikb - the f4 is infinitely more usable than the 2.8 for video R&G. It fits in a vest pocket, it doesn't frighten the horses, and it's sharp.

Yes, the IS does rumble a bit. But one would never use the in-built handle microphones for anything more than a sync track, so it won't matter.

Hoping that the Juiced Link 'DARling' will be available soon, which will fix your wedding shoot audio issues.

If you're shooting tripod mounted interview close-ups with the f4, IS noise is irrelevant because you'll have switched it off.

When you're picking off candid shots of people interacting in a social situation, IS noise is irrelevant too.

But you can hand-hold at 200mm, enjoy DP-AF and generally get the coverage you need, rather than suffer the heavy weight and difficult ergonomics of the otherwise beautiful 2.8.
 
@Bengiles great recommendation.

@Slavikb + Matt that's the advice I needed. Thanks guys. I'll repost with my findings when it comes. Cheers guys. :)
 
+1

If you're on extreme telephoto since you're using the 70-200 why would you care what sound it makes? You're using mics 20-30 feet away, correct? I have the 2.8 and love it but it is not good handheld unless you want that hunting/floating style. It is heavy but I now do all my interviews with it, provided I have the floor space.
 
Conan Coatsworth said:
@Andrius True. Wise words. Which of these lenses do you use?
Click to expand...

I'm using the 2.8 but now that I think about it I don't think I'm quite in the same boat as you since I'm usually not trying to get dialogue off the camera mounted shotgun in a quiet room, but more the ambient sounds that are much louder than any IS or focus noise. But if you're in that situation where you do need to get the camera audio and use the IS lens…well then the shotgun mic will do better than the built ins.
…and yes the 2.8 is heavy. It's also a beautiful image so worth the weight to me.
 
I am a stills plus video person, but- I own both!

For event work where I need the extra stop, nothing beats the 2.8

But when I have to haul around a lens in decent light, the 4.0 is much more manageable. I couldn't imagine not having the 24-70 2.8 and the 70-200 2.8 in my kit.

A good price on the 4.0 is around $900+, new or lightly used. On the 2.8 from $1,700+ to $1,850.

I have also been using the 18-135 mm STM. That is the only non-L lens I have used in years. In some cases that can sub for the 70-200 4.0 I've also been meaning to try the 55-250 STM, although I'm not really sure about that.... I've heard good things about it, but I think I am spoiled by using the 24-70 and 70-200 for many years now (versions I and II.)

Good luck!
Michael
 
@nedcam. you are totally right. i think I just wanted to make sure that if I had to use some ambient from the stereomic then i'd have some clean audio to use. I think the light weight is such a big pull with the f4. So i'll get that one and update with the findings. Cheers man.@Andrius shotgun is the way forward!@Unadog I liked the range of the 55-250. It's the reason i'm getting the 70-200 but the build is not very conducive to smooth focus pulls. I got some nice shots with it though.
 
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