Last night’s jaunt down Scary Perry left me rethinking my recent Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM lens purchase. I had such a lovely time shooting with the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM lens that I decided to go back to Penn Camera for a possible trade in for the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM.
Biggest concern: Size and weight. The f/2.8 lens measures 84.6mm x 193.6mm and weighs in at a hefty 1310g. There are computer notebooks that weigh less, and that’s not taking into account the heft of the Canon EOS 20D. After holding and shooting with the f/2.8 lens attached to the store’s 20D, I decided to take the chance.
Strange, I started this exercise looking to purchase the light and portable Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM. Instead, I’ve got a hefty lens with extremely limited portability and usability, but hopefully through which I can take much better photos. If not, I’ve wasted my money.
For just a short time, I considered purchasing the Nikon D200, which was announced earlier today. My problem with the Canon: Images are soft. Mostly. Software sharpening is a necessity in many instances. When I had the D70, I got sharper pictures with lesser lenses than what I have for the 20D. Canon has better lenses in my estimation, which is why I bought the 20D. Nikon also launched an exciting new 18-200mm lens. With the D200, I could get the one lens, and at a pretty good price, that would cover most of my basic, photographic needs.
My friend down the road took my D70, which is sitting on a shelf unused. I considered offering to trade that camera and its two lenses for my 24-70mm L lens, which I know he would want. Then I would have returned the Canon 70-200mm f/4 lens for cash (there’s a 14-day return policy), sold the 20D, and put the proceeds to purchasing the Nikon D200 and 18-200mm lens. Instead, I swapped up for the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, having shaken off the nutty temptation to go back to Nikon.