Ok so I am a humble guy (wait if your humble can you say that?)

I just got a used Canon 70-200 2.8 IS and I have no idea how to use all the switches, knobs and do dads (for all you Nikoners thats tech talk in Canon world). I tried to find a manual online and couldn't, Canon's website didn't even have any help I could find.

So I am turning to you my faithful brother's & sisters in arms.

Feel free to speak to me like I am stupid, this is my first L and I am totally open to basic's, tips, tricks, techniques, Do's, Dont's, and even cool fun facts.

I will check back in tonight to read up!

basically turn the AF on. turn the IS on. and turn the min length to 1.5 (i think thats it, whatever the lowest one is). strap it on and shoot away, you'll love this lens.

Not sure where to start, so I'll start with Knobs for 100?

There is a tripod mount right on the lens because it is so long and heavy, which the ring with the knob near the base of the lens. You can loosen the knob to swivel the camera on a tripod from horizontal to vertical-very quick and helpful.

IS Modes-My understanding is that Mode 2 is for continuous shots of a moving subject, otherwise to use Mode 1.

Stabilizer On/Off-I always have it on because it's a heavy lens!

AF/MF-Auto or Manual Focus

The focusing distances-I just always have it set to 1.4m-infiniti...hopefully someone else has more insight.

Wow thanks for the starter tips.

Does anybody have any recommendations on when to use the 2.5-infinity does it help. It makes me wonder why they have it, it seems like if you didn't need it they wouldn't have it.

I would also love a detailed explanation of Mode 1 & Mode 2 EP gave me a good feel for it (as well as everything else).

I switch mine (nikon) to 2.5m - infinity when I'm shooting during the ceremony and don't need to focus close. It will help you focus faster since the lens doesn't have to hunt as far. You probably won't notice a difference until you start using that lens more.

Wow you all rock.


Does anybody know where to go to view a manual.

...just checked the Canon website... no pdf available (bummer!)

Use IS mode 2 for panning, mode 1 otherwise.
If you use mode 1 while panning, the lens will try to stabalize your panning motion -- eek!

use the 2.5m - inf focus distance if you want to ignore people/stuff in the foreground and focus further away. The lens will ignore the crud in the foreground and focus further away for you (saving battery power & focusing time).

If you're hand-holding it, try removing the tripod ring. It makes a big difference with the weight. Some people like it as a grip/handle. I like the lens WITHOUT the ring because it lowers the weight so much.

~Carey

I couldn't find an owner's manual, but this should tell you everything you need to know


http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/canon_...2p8_is_usm_c16/

It goes through all the operations on page 3

Thats perfect
Thanks everybody

Turn the IS off if you put it on a tripod.

Just Curious - - - -Why

Anybody Know Why
Or have any other tips?

When there's no motion for the IS to stabilize, the mechanism can overcompensate and actually *cause* blur if it's not turned off. (More technical details of why that happens are pretty easy to google.) Just don't forget to turn the IS back on when you take it off the tripod.