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#1
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Puma snags the Canon 70-200/2.8L IS II USM
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!
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components. Last edited by Puma Cat; 11-14-2013 at 01:41 PM. |
#2
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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.
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Dan STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113 VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A |
#3
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Quote:
Not sure if it was a work horse, or a war horse, but either way, I think you're right.
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components. |
#4
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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.
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#5
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Thanks, Georges.
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components. |
#6
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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 |
#7
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Quote:
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.
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components. |
#8
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Congrats on the new lens I like the grip you have on the Pro-1 !
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#9
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Thanks. That's the Really Right Stuff grip and L-plate.
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components. |
#10
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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
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When I grow up, I want to be a little boy. - Joseph Heller Aural pleasures courtesy of SME, Dynavector, Audio Research, Simaudio, Wireworld, & Wilson |
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