Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens

Product Rating
4.77 of 5
53 reviews

Price Range
$1000 - $2000

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Product Description

Summary

OK, if you are considering upgrading from the f/4 version, this may help. I just have. I wondered for ages whether I should, freaked out once I paid all that cash, nearly wet my pants when it arrived, and was over the moon when I tested it. Right then should you upgrade? If you can afford it (even if you aren't selling your shots) then yes. The obvious advantage is being able to shoot at lower shutter speeds. I have taken quite a few shots with the f4 model that just weren't sharp enough in dingy markets in Asia etc. Shots that would have been 'all time' but suffered from a bit of camera shake (at about 1/160 @ 200mm). You can actually get sharp shots at 1/15 with the I.S. but not always. I consistently get razor sharp shots at 1/50 @ 200mm - you can bank on it. The other advantage of this I.S, is that even when I could shoot at 1/200, I was always at f4 unless the light was good (and with the stuff I do it's often not - even outdoor markets I'd struggle). Sometimes f4 is nice of course but often not! On the flip side, f2.8 can be very nice for dropping out the background. The bokeh (background blur) is excellent with BOTH lenses. No real advantage with the more expensive lens I don't think, other than you can get less DOF with the 2.8. I have found that light fall-off is not a problem at all with the 2.8 I.S. - maybe because you can shoot at narrower apertures, but I think that at the same aperture with both lenses side by side, you'll see less darkness in the corners with the 2.8 I.S. In fact, it's not an issue at all (I use a 5D). Then again, it's not much of an issue with the f4. One of the obvious cons is that it is double the weight. Well, that's life. Deal with it or don't get it. Just don't bloody whinge when you do get it like some other people - it staggers me that people will shell out a couple of grand for such a lens and then say 'ooooh it's a bit heavy'. Jesus. Bottom line is this: if you have the f4 and want better shots in low liight, get it. I had the f4 for 2 years, loved it, and then decided I had reached a point where I should/could upgrade. If you are considering one or the other and worried about the cash, get the f4 and upgrade later if you need to. If you're rich, just get the big banger and you'll be loving life.

Strength

low light capability bokeh build no light fall-off to speak of

Weakness

maybe price

Summary

I use it on my 20D and gives me a tele zoom range from 112 to 320 mm. Superb build. Size and weight are in balance with 20D but with BP. AF is super fast and accurate. F/2.8 is almost as sharp as f/8. 200mm (320mm), f/2.8 and 1/50s with IS gives printsharp pictures! FF lens on the APS-C sensor has no vignette or distortion. Colors, resolution and handling can’t go any better than this. 77mm Filter thread is same as my 10-22mm and 24-105mm. With this superb image quality you don’t bother the size, weight or price. It makes you feel mighty and confident.

Strength

Image quality Build Speed IS

Weakness

None

Summary

This is my best lens. I do motor sports. See langley-speedway and hit photo gallery. There are over 400 images on that web most wwere taken with the 70-200 IS and the rest were all taken with 2 other L lenses. The 24-70 2.8 and the 17-40 4.0. They are too great. I got rid of all my other lenses for the L lenses. The 70-200 is a bit heavy BUT WORTH the weight in images that I can sell!!! On my Canon EOS 3 film body I have 100% deep color images. On faces it is almost too sharp!!

Strength

Sharp, good color, easy to use the IS feature, IS does work great both horizontal or vertical. Built like a pro lens should be.

Weakness

None on either my 20d or my EOS 3 film body.

Summary

Superb quality images with great colour contrast and sharpness. Possibly Canon's best ever Telezoom

Strength

Excellent Shaprness, contrast and colour. Excellent Build Quality. Bright f/2.8 Aperture IS has achieved good results with shutter speed of 1/30th Sec at 200mm Quiet ultrafast focus. Excellent handling. Great results with Teleconvertor (x1.4)

Weakness

Weight is a tad heavy but thats just down to good glass and lots of it!

Summary

This is an incredible lens on my 20D! Got the camera for Christmas and this lens in April. I wish I had this lens from day one. I have used it for shooting theater and spring sports (Baseball, Softball, Tennis) with great success. I had heard some negatives about coupling with a 2x extender, but the only disadvantage I can see is the loss of 2 stops. Daylight outdoors this is not a problem. For low light situations, I still have the 70-200 without the extender! No serious sports photographer should be without this lens. With the extender, it is still cheaper than the 100-400 L.

Strength

fast and accurate AF, 2.8, built like a tank, IS, razor sharp optics - crisp across the entire zoom range, very high quality glass, constant manual focus, weather sealed, and it does some beautiful background blur wide open.

Weakness

1. price...if you pay retail 2. Weight -- at 5#, make sure you bring your mono or tri pod. 3. It is not a prime -- but I was looking for a zoom!