Does a lens like this even exist?
 

Focal length aside, here are my 3 criteria:

1. A lens for the 7D
2. An f-stop better than f2.8
3. With image stabilization

Re: Does a lens like this even exist?
 

I don't know for sure if a lens like this is or isn't available, but there's one major difference you need to consider between stills and video when it comes to lens design and IS:

With stills, using a faster shutter speed is one method of stabilising an image.

With a still camera, a faster lens = ability to use a faster shutter speed = IS not required.

Re: Does a lens like this even exist?
 

Yeah, there is one, Canon 200L f2.0 IS http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/542292-REG/Canon_2297B002_Telephoto_EF_200mm_f_2L.html

Re: Does a lens like this even exist?
 

The longer the lens, the more the need for image stabilization--but the harder it will be to maintain focus under 2.8. While folks are hungry for that shallow look, it's more important to actually have your subject's eyes in focus. 2.8 at beyond 150mm gets into that range where your leeway is literally inches.

Re: Does a lens like this even exist?
 

with larger sensor I think it's even less than that

Re: Does a lens like this even exist?
 

less than inches? like millimeters? or microns?!!

Obviously it depends on distance to subject.Under 10 feet on a 7D at 150mm, it does indeed drop below two inches. At f2, this happens at 12 feet. With the 200mm lens at f2, it happens at sixteen feet. Think about that for a second--sixteen feet away, your subject doesn't have room to rock forward on his toes without going out of focus. Best of luck to you with that lens.

I keep my aperture at 2.8 at an absolute minimum and generally strive to give my focus pullers a 4. Once in a blue moon I will rock the 50mm wide open for something crazy like shooting a night exterior shot, at 5000 ASA--results on that were surreal looking. But most of the time I'm far more concerned with keeping the subject in focus than soft backgrounds.

Re: Does a lens like this even exist?
 

There are several... here's canon's present line up...

Canon U.S.A. : Consumer & Home Office : EF Lens Lineup

Re: Does a lens like this even exist?
 

You need to re-read the first post :)

Re: Does a lens like this even exist?
 

Please invent a 30mm or 50mm f1.8 with IS. :p

Re: Does a lens like this even exist?
 

From what I'm reading in the initial post (focal length unimportant, >f2.8,IS, fits 7D) most of Canon's lineup will fit the bill.
I understood the 7D takes both EF and EF-S lenses, and any which are listed as USM are image stabilized, and there are lots below f2.8 (a 50mm and an 85mm going as far down as f1.2).
So, where is the issue - is there something about the request that I'm missing / not seeing?

Re: Does a lens like this even exist?
 

"there are lots below f2.8 (a 50mm and an 85mm going as far down as f1.2)."

Not with image stabilization which was criteria #3.

Re: Does a lens like this even exist?
 

USM stands for UltraSonicMotor and reffers to the AF motor. I.S. stands for Image Stabilizer.

There is only one lens that fits the bill, the EF200 f2 IS

Re: Does a lens like this even exist?
 

"There is only one lens that fits the bill, the EF200 f2 IS"

Already stated in the thread above and that's my complaint to the companies who engineer/design/manufacture lenses for Canon SLRs.

Sorry, I don't just accept it. Of course, in reality I have to accept it, but conceptually and from a biz standpoint I see no reason why this is the case.

To reiterate my point! :P
"Please invent a 30mm or 50mm f1.8 with IS"

Re: Does a lens like this even exist?
 

Not sure what you mean by "companies," since there's only one
engineer / designer / manufacturer of Canon EF lenses, and that's
Canon Inc. itself.

Or are you referring to third-party lens companies such as Sigma
and Tamron who offer their products with EF-compatible mounts?

Re: Does a lens like this even exist?
 

crap... I thought USM related to the IS, not the AF.