Topic: Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM care?

[bluntforcetrauma]

So i am using the lens today and i am taking the lens cap off and I " think" as i am squeezing the clips of the side of the cover i did not get a firm hold of the lens and " i believe" i may have slightly hit the lens cap to the lens.  So in my paranoid state

Does anyone think i could have scratched the lens?
is iy really really delicate lens or does it have any type of coating on it?

Are these lenses easy to scratch?
and how could you tell if it is scratched?


I have since put a UV filter on the lens

please advise

[phanophish]

Personally not a fan of UV filters.  I've seen a impact on image quality. Opinions seem to vary but for me it's not worth the trade off.

FWIW your lens is probably fine.  There are some coatings on the lens that could be damaged by a scratch as could the glass it's self, but they are typically pretty durable.  I'd get some good lens cleaning tissue and simply wipe it down and clean the front element.  If you can't see anything following that then you are fine.  Even if you get a small scratch on the front element it usually has very little effect on image quality.  But it is a bummer when it is on nice pro glass.

[bluntforcetrauma]

thank you very much

[BayTaynt3d]

I personally can't imagine not having a UV filter on a $1600+ lens. Mine never leaves the lens unless I'm swapping it with an another ND, Polarizer, or something else. Get a good piece of glass UV, and whatever performance hit you might take (not much if any in my experience, maybe some more flare, but a hood can fix that), is easily worth it for the protection. I can't count the number of times a UV has saved my ass over the years.

[CrazyED]

I am about to order one of these bad boys.  Super Super stoked.

IS or No IS.

Really worth the extra 500-600?

I'm thinkin yeah..........

[BJ]

I am about to order one of these bad boys.  Super Super stoked.

IS or No IS.

Really worth the extra 500-600?

I'm thinkin yeah..........

depends on the use i think.  i have had to turn my IS off more times than I can count.  The only time i really use it now is when I am trying to get panning shots of sports (baseball, cycling etc)  if im shooting a static/slow moving object in the distance...it will be off. I should mention that I usually don't hand hold this beast at any time, I have it on a tripod or monopod when shooting.  it is nice to have..but i would think about your usage, 600$ for never using it can hurt 

[CrazyED]

Well I decided to say F' it and I just ordered it with IS. 

 Now i need to throw my f4 on ebay.  I figured with IS, at least i wont have to upgrade again.  I can always downgrade i guess.  And the nice thing about L glass is that it really holds its value.

[phanophish]

I personally can't imagine not having a UV filter on a $1600+ lens. Mine never leaves the lens unless I'm swapping it with an another ND, Polarizer, or something else. Get a good piece of glass UV, and whatever performance hit you might take (not much if any in my experience, maybe some more flare, but a hood can fix that), is easily worth it for the protection. I can't count the number of times a UV has saved my ass over the years.

I really have seen the image quality degradation, particularly in overall contrast even with HQ filters.  I just try and be careful with my lenses.

[BayTaynt3d]

Well I decided to say F' it and I just ordered it with IS. 

 Now i need to throw my f4 on ebay.  I figured with IS, at least i wont have to upgrade again.  I can always downgrade i guess.  And the nice thing about L glass is that it really holds its value.

IS rules. I use it nearly 100% of the time it's not on a tripod. For no flash concert photography, it's a must, simply amazing and def worth the $. Buys you two stops for sure. Make sure you know when to flip it b/w modes (panning or not). Now if it's going to sit on a tripod all the time, it might not be worth it, otherwise, hell yes, you won't be sorry.

[CrazyED]

Yeah I figure it'll be hard to not love the IS for me at least.

I bought a filter too.  They can be easily removed and for a lot of concerts i'm in the mob scene fighting the crowd last thing I want is some wook putting his dirty paws on my glass.

Now I just need a bag and I think with the added weight of my 2 most recent purchases i'm going to go the backpack route and checkout the one in the other thread from Ritz that Blunt ended up getting.  That looks pretty nice.

[BayTaynt3d]

You know the other reason a UV is nice, when you forget your lens cloth, LOL. Ain't no thang to use you t-shirt when the UV is on there, but not something you'd do without one, LOL!

[bluntforcetrauma]

i have some filters on there now, but i still see some dust between the lens and filter

[BayTaynt3d]

i have some filters on there now, but i still see some dust between the lens and filter

So take it off and clean them, lol... At least you don't have dust inside the lens, I've got a little of that on the mount side. Kind of sucks, but I've had the lens for two years now. Probably should send it in for an overhaul.

[CrazyED]

My new toy should be delivered by tomorrow.  I plan on taking a lot of pictures at the Harley Davidson 105th anniversary party in milwaukee.  Tea Leaf Green is playing 3 shows.  I'm still trying to work an angle to shoot some of the bigger events like Kid Rock or the black crowes or even Springsteen but not looking too likely.  Seems like all my connections are getting shut down.

[bluntforcetrauma]

i have some filters on there now, but i still see some dust between the lens and filter

So take it off and clean them, lol... At least you don't have dust inside the lens, I've got a little of that on the mount side. Kind of sucks, but I've had the lens for two years now. Probably should send it in for an overhaul.

i have cleaned my mount side glass, before-- i hope that is o.k i have used lens care cloths. I should clarify i dont clean the mount side of the 70-200 because it sits so deep inside the lens.