Puma snags the Canon 70-200/2.8L IS II USM

[Puma Cat]

Most of you know I do professional motorsports photography; been doing it for a decade now.

One of the essential tools for any motorsports photographer is the irreplaceable 70-200/2.8 zoom. While there are a number of options for pro photographers in the "standard zoom range", e.g. the Canon 24-105/4, the (now discontinued) 28-70/2.8 (still a superb lens), the 24-70/2.8, the 24-70/4, and the superb new 24-70/2.8 II, and you see guys using any one of these for standard telephoto applications.

But everyone has a 70-200/2.8. Nikon and Canon have made one of these for years, and judging by the number of pros that use them, this is a lens that you'd have to pry from their cold dead fingers. And while I've been using my Fuji and Olympus standard zooms around the pits/paddock/spectator areas for "atmosphere" shots, there's simply no replacing a fast USM autofocus lens on a pro body for racing action. In other words, this is an essential lens (along with my 300/2.8) for any serious motorsports photojournalism.

I've been shooting with a Canon 70-200/2.8 L *non-IS* for all that time. It served me very well, and produced many, many memorable images.









This lens is also blessed with a beautiful "bokeh" when shot wide open that can really isolate a subject from the background



Well, after all those years, I started to have problems this year with my venerable 70-200 2.8 non-IS. After >100,000+ frames on this lens, from my estimation, I guess I should not be surprised. After all, anything that moves will eventually wear out. At vintage races at Sonoma Raceway, of the 1000+ frames I shot with the lens, ONE frame was in focus. Not two, ONE. Sent the lens back to CPS, and it turned out the the AF motor was bad. Got it back and the lens was still...off. When shooting a sign, the image would be soft on the left and sharp on the right. What the hey? The lens went back to Canon a second time, and they adjusted the lens elements to re-center them and align them.

Even after getting the lens back a second time, I still seem to be having mixed luck with sharp images on this lens, especially when pretty much EVERYTHING I shot with it in the past was, shall we say, tack.

So, today's the day. There's a special on at B&H, and combined with the Canon rebate and my B&H Awards discount, I snagged a brand new 70-200/2.8 L IS version II.

This new version II rev of the 70-200/2.8 IS is just stupidly sharp. Roger Cicala at Lens Rentals tested it, and produced an MTF score of 875 in the center and 755 at the edges. This is just stupid for a zoom lens as it is good or better than many outstanding primes. The only telephoto zoom to test higher than the 70-200/2.8L IS II is the new Canon 200-400, which costs $12,000!

The price? After discounts, awards, and rebate: $1869.

"Yeah, baby, yeah!"-Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery

Check back later when I get a chance to use it on some fast vehicles!

[jdandy]

Stephen.......Every now and then we have to turn a work horse out to pasture. It was time. Congratulations on the new Canon lens. In your hands it will produce award winning photos. Looking forward to seeing them.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Stephen.......Every now and then we have to turn a work horse out to pasture. It was time. Congratulations on the new Canon lens. In your hands it will produce award winning photos. Looking forward to seeing them.

Dan,
Not sure if it was a work horse, or a war horse, but either way, I think you're right.

[antipop]

Stephen, those are amazing pictures. I love the color saturation in each of them. I really like the first one with the angle you shot it.

[Puma Cat]

Thanks, Georges.

[New guy]

Stephen,

Fantastic photos!

I bought one from B&H on Monday as well to go with the 5D mark3 that I just got last week. I am just getting back into photography so the camera and this lens is way beyond my skills.

We should meet up one day. I am in San Francisco and I have a few audiophile friends that are also serious photographers. Two very expensive hobbies.

Rich

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by New guy

Stephen,

Fantastic photos!

I bought one from B&H on Monday as well to go with the 5D mark3 that I just got last week. I am just getting back into photography so the camera and this lens is way beyond my skills.

We should meet up one day. I am in San Francisco and I have a few audiophile friends that are also serious photographers. Two very expensive hobbies.

Rich

Rich,
Thanks for the nice comments. Congrats on the new lens and the Mark III. Both are exemplary tools. I would love to have a MkIII, but I can't see spending that much on a camera I wouldn't use very much. For pretty much everything but the motorsports gig, I shoot with my Fuji X-Pro1.



I'd be happy to meet up with you guys. Even to come to The City and shoot (I'm in Castro Valley). Let's chat via PM and arrange something soon.

[1KW]

Congrats on the new lens I like the grip you have on the Pro-1 !

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by 1KW

Congrats on the new lens I like the grip you have on the Pro-1 !

Thanks. That's the Really Right Stuff grip and L-plate.

[BlueChiaro]

Hey, Stephen, it's sad to say goodbye to an old friend, but that just means that it's time to fall in love all over, again. I, too, love the interesting perspective on the first image...well, that, and...um...it's blue.

Robert