f/2.8 with IS --- vs --- f/4 with IS

[coachboz68]

I'm going to ask an imperfect question, so bear with me, but I think it will lead to the answers I am looking for.  Iv'e started a new thread but this topic arises in many other threads in different bits and pieces. 

Let's take a lense like the EF 16-35 where we have the choice of f/4 with IS that (I believe) is rated at something like 4 Stops, and the f/2.8 with no IS. 

Let's further assume that I'm going to do walk-around city/street shooting where I will most frequently shooting WITHOUT a tripod. 

While the 2.8 affords me faster shutter speeds, I am afraid that the shallow DOF will be undesirable in many shots.  Therefore, for mostly handheld shooting where shallow DOF is not desireable, would one be better off with the IS with a min of f/4 given shutter speed (for these kinds of pics) is not the major concern?  

I know there are a lot of variables still left unexplored, so the answer will likely still be "it depends" but hopefully this the above scenario is enough to help me start understanding the real-life tradeoffs between a smaller aperture with IS vs a larger aperture without.  

Thanks

[Waddizzle]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

"I can call out distances in yards feet more accurate than the average bear ..."

I knew you could and it is the best way to go.  Let the chart readers read their charts while you make photographs!

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“It is human nature to reject that which one does not understand.”

BTW, the link contained a layman’s explanation of hyperfocal distance.

[RobertTheFat]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

"Waddizzle... already printed out a few pages for my lenses and common zooms."

I have no idea what this suggestion was but experience is way better that picking up a chart evey time you want to know something.  Especially as DOF.  Its OK to check one out to get the general idea I suppose but as you get more experience you won't need it.  Go out and shoot some stuff.  Just anything and edit it.  Study what you did.  Like I say way better than a chart.

BTW, are you going to carry a ruler or tape measure along, too?

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Do you not have a tape measure in your bag, Ernie? I thought everybody did.

[ebiggs1]

"Do you not have a tape measure in your bag, Ernie?"

Dang it Bob, I know I had one somewhere if I could only remember where I left it.  Ya know I can even judge a scenes exposure pretty accurately just ny looking.  Amazing I know and if it were easy everybody would be doing it.

Chimpers unite!