IS would be beneficial but certainly not an absolute must for hand held shots. With modern sensors exhibiting such low noise you could just bump the iso up a couple of stops or so to reduce the shutter speed to the point you can get sharp shots hand-held. The rule of thumb I work to is shutter speed = 1/effective focal length (just remember that with aps-c sized sensors there's a 1.5-1.6x multiplier on the focal length). To hand hold with this at the long end you'd be looking to get shutter speed to 1/300s or faster which is very achievable, particularly given its f/4.0 right to 200mm.

I don't think this is correct. The £75 Canon cashback is for the IS version:
http://www.canon.co.uk/cashback/current-cashback/

Amazon have attached the £75 cashback to the wrong version (they have it listed on the non-IS version and don't have it on the IS version). Jessops, Wex, etc. have it correctly assigned (although Wex wrongly list the cashback as £45!)

​not really

IS is beneficial but by no means a necessity.
Can no one hold a camera properly anymore!!!

Plus, IS wont help much with a moving subject.

And you're recommendation? Don't day a 6D because that's my back up body and in a lot of respects that's the same.

Got this from Canon.

Thank you for your request and for contacting Canon.

In reference to your enquiry regarding the EF 70-200mm f/4L USM / EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM, we can provide you with the following information.

Our promotion indeed only refers to the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM. Sometimes retailers have special promotions, which are not directly related to Canon. For this reason, we can recommend you to further investigate on this with the retailer. We do apologize for any inconveniences.

The (official) current cash back promotions can be found by referring to the link below:

http://www.canon.co.uk/cashback/current-cashback/?WT.mc_id=web_display:cuk:summer-cb:banner-promopage:link#eligibleproducts

Once again, thank you Mr. ____ for contacting Canon. We trust this information is of use to you. Should you have any further questions, then do not hesitate to contact us again by replying to this e-mail or by contacting us directly on +44 (0) 20 7660 0186, mentioning the service request number on the top left of this e-mail.


Yours sincerely,

J.Porras
Canon Services & Support

Sorry, the link didn't go to the 'Sold by Amazon' page. If you search that lens and then filter the seller to Amazon, it will show the cashback at £110

There are other lenses that have been incorrectly indicated as being on the cashback list. I wouldn't want to chance it.

This one is showing £110 cashback Here

I have one, got it given :-)

...but I have to say you bought the wrong camera for sports.

Ok, if you are panning in one plane, I'll give you that.

Oh yes it will, I use a 5D III and IS really comes into it's own with rally cars for example.

If you only use hand held IS may be a factor, but using a tripod or monopod you should turn IS off anyway! Good price for a good lens = hot

Well yes, but it is a lot dearer, too.

Personally, I would go for the IS version.

Very good explanation!

Ive had this lens and it was a great lens and then upgraded to the IS 70 - 200 IS F2.8 MKII.......... and WOW its canon BEST selling lens and why - because its brilliant , near PRIME lens quality - keeps the value - and the focus speed is just insane ( great for airshow photography ) plus as well if you put this on a cropped sensor body - then it be x 1.6 making it a focal length of 320 ............. even better.Pro in press conferences have the 70 200 IS F2.8 and at football games you see the sport photographers swoop from there 600 prime to this when the players are closer

the old drainpipe, good if you can get one for the f2.8

Good deal and a nice lens.

However if you can warrant it (and save a little bit longer) the 2.8 is the much better lens.

As above, has been listed wrong. I guess its up to someone if you want to take the risk and see if Canon will honor or if Amazon will substitute the difference.

It would have been a cracking price for a great lens. The IS is nice to have however they are over double the price, for this price it is a fantastic lens.

this or the old 80-200 2.8

As some others have already pointed out - this doesn't seem to be part of the cashback offer. Canon list the model as the IS version https://store.canon.co.uk/canon-ef-70-200mm-f-4l-is-usm-lens/1258B005/?WT.tsrc=NSO-Site

I think Amazon have set it up wrong on their site.

Sorry OP, not your fault, but it does seem that Amazon have mixed up the £75 cashback offer with that on the IS version.

Beware - No IS - You'll need it at 200mm unless you're using a tripod!

Yah, No cash back on this one...

I don't think this is correct. The £75 Canon cashback is for the IS version:
http://www.canon.co.uk/cashback/current-cashback/

Amazon have attached the £75 cashback to the wrong version (they have it listed on the non-IS version and don't have it on the IS version). Jessops, Wex, etc. have it correctly assigned (although Wex wrongly list the cashback as £45!)

Nice lens and price for those wanting to upgrade to L glass :smiley:

I would agree that IS is better for those who can afford to upgrade, but a steady hand, decent camera body and appropriate settings etc. will always help.

I have a 100-400 L IS and can shoot that hand-held without IS on and still capture great shots, so a 70-200 wouldn't be an issue.

tempting... :-)
Voted hot

Had one of these brilliant lenses for many years. incredible value. Beautiful for portraits too.

As Fubar888 has said with modern sensors and high ISOs IS is not so critical - though nice - but for this money buy one.

Seems a lot of money for this.