I finally broke down and bought myself a EF 70-200mm f/2.8L (the less expensive one) and I’ve been taking it out for a whirl.  So far I am quite pleased. The clarity of the photos are very good, even under low light and high ISO. (The photos I posted of Buddy and Nina yesterday were taken with this lens – Buddy’s image was taken at ISO 3200, f/2.8, 1/50s, 200mm and Nina’s at ISO 1250, f/5.0, 1/50s, 200mm.)

Today I ventured out into the backyard.  I wanted to see what it would do at 200mm in bright sun, shooting wide open at very fast shutter speed.

These doves were coming in for a landing on our power pole at the corner of our lot. ISO 100, f/3.2, 1/1600s, 200mm.

This one was taken in our backyard. The dove is sitting high above me on Sweetie’s weather station. ISO 100, f/3.2, 1/1000s, 200mm.

Nina nosing around by the barren vegetable beds. ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/1000s, 200mm.