- EF mount; telephoto zoom lens
- Ultra-low Dispersion glass; image stabilizer; inner focusing; full-time manual focus; circular aperture
- 70-200mm focal length
- f/2.8 constant maximum aperture
- Micro UltraSonic Motor (USM) Includes case and lens hood
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Technical Details
Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM lens: Highly recommended by dpreview.com
›Read the full Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM lens review at dpreview.com
Product Details
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Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description
Incorporating Canon's second-generation Image Stabilization technology, this 70-200mm telephoto zoom responds in as little as 0.5 seconds while providing up to three stops of correction for camera shake. As a result, you can easily capture the far-off action of fast-paced sports or zoom in for an intimate portrait with a blurred background. The lens's autofocus (AF) system, meanwhile, has been refined for better response time and tracking speed. And photographers will love the new eight-blade circular aperture, which offers a more pleasing out-of-focus image. Constructed to pro standards, the EF 70-200mm lens is highly dust- and moisture-resistant and carries a one-year warranty.
- Focal length: 70-200mm
- Maximum aperture: 1:2.8
- Lens construction: 23 elements in 18 groups
- Diagonal angle of view: 34 to 12 degrees
- Focus adjustment: Inner focusing system with USM
- Closest focusing distance: 4.3 feet
- Zoom system: Rotating type
- Filter size: 77mm
- Dimensions: 3.4 inches in diameter, 7.8 inches long
- Weight: 3.24 pounds
Product Description
The EF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM was introduced way back in August 2001, supplementing (but not replacing) the non-stabilized 70-200mm F2.8 L USM in Canon's highly regarded telephoto lineup. This is a lens which can truly be described as a professional workhorse, with robust build (including dust and moisture resistance), wide F2.8 maximum aperture, fast and silent ultrasonic autofocus motor, and optical image stabilization for hand-holding at slow shutter speeds. The optical design is somewhere on the far side of complex; it features 23 elements in 18 groups, with 4 UD elements to provide compensation for chromatic aberration. According to Canon, this gives a 'high-resolution, high-contrast optical capability', as demanded from a lens which needs to perform all day, every day in the hands of professional photographers across a wide range of subjects and conditions.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
337 of 347 people found the following review helpful
This is the best lens you can get in this zoom range for the Canon EOS. It's not the cheapest and it's not the lightest, but it's the best. This lens is fast, it has excellent optics, the build quality is very solid and the image stabilization (IS) feature works wonders for hand held shooting. If you shoot hand held in marginal light, this is the lens for you. If you always use a tripod, you don't really need IS -- take a look at the less expensive non-IS version of this lens. If you always shoot in good light, the lighter and even less expensive 70-200mm f4.0 may do the job for you. But for me, the extra stop of light and the IS make the difference between unusable images and great images. This is an awesome lens.
229 of 236 people found the following review helpful
I shoot with a Canon 20D and before purchasing this lens, used the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 III USM lens. I've always noticed the limitations of this lens when shooting amateur softball. I reviewed the lens lineup at the Canon website and decided on purchasing the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM Lens. The 100-400mm is a great lens, but it can be a little soft. For that reason I decided to add the Canon EF 70-200mm 2.8/f IS USM telephoto zoom lens to my lens collection.
As an L lens, there are numerous features and is manufactured with high quality materials and a higher level of dust and moisture resistance compared to the standard line of lenses. This pro quality lens is meant for serious photographers with high demands of their equipment. The construction is sturdy and consists of 23 elements in 18 groups. The four Super UD-glass elements largely eliminate the secondary spectrum reducing residual chromatic aberration. An improved 8-blade circular aperture offers a more pleasing out-of-focus image. The Canon EF 70-200mm lens weighs in at about 3.24 lbs/1,470 g, and a minimal focusing distance of 4.3 ft/1.3 m. The front thread accepts 77mm filters, be sure to get a good quality UV haze filter to protect the front lens element. This lens is compatible with the 1.4x II and 2X II telephoto extenders.
Being white, this lens looks out of place, but helps it stay cool when shooting out in the sun. Some people are concerned that being white, it attracts attention to criminals. From my experience, my 20D attracts attention regardless of what lens I put on it. In addition, I most likely have a camera bag and tripod/monopod with me to further attract attention. I personally doubt a thief looking for something to steal is taking the time to evaluate the cost of the item and are more concerned with the ease of taking something they can unload. I try to make things difficult for would be thieves and have my equipment insured as a back up.
The dual IS system has two modes. Mode 1 is for stationary subjects while mode two is for moving subjects. It is recommended that the IS function is not used while using a tripod; however I have successfully used this feature while on my monopod. The IS helps to eliminate camera shake and helps stabilize the lens when shooting from a moving vehicle or in low light situations. While there are limitations to what the IS can do, it can give you a few extra stops. Just keep in mind, the IS attempts to eliminate camera movement, not the movement of the subject being photographed.
This lens permits for auto or manual focus depending on how the switch is set. There is also a switch to shift from a 1.4m/4.6ft to infinity or 2.5m/8.2ft to infinity.
Included with this lens are the tripod mount, lens hood, and storage case. The tripod mount is the best option to use when mounting to a tripod, helping to maintain balance. Mounting the camera instead creates an unbalanced set up that may topple over. The case is a zippered soft case (LZ1324) that can also be purchased separately. The lens hood (ET-86) is used to reduce lens flare and can protect the front element in certain situations. Often times, Amazon recommends purchasing the lens case and hood, however they are normally included with the lens.
The Canon EF 70-200mm is such an awesome lens, it almost fails to compare to the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM telephoto zoom. The EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM telephoto zoom lens is a well used option for me, but the clarity and sharpness of the 70-200mm IS lens is more refined. I doubt the 100-400mm lens will be replaced by this lens as a favorite. I find the push/pull focusing of the 100-400mm lens to be a benefit that the 70-200mm cannot replace. This lens can be used for portraits, landscape, sports or as a general walk about lens. The f/2.8L combined with the IS makes this lens a good option for certain low light situations. The features add creative versatility. The Canon EF 70-200mm IS lens comes at a price, but it is worth every bit of it.
PROS:
Incredible clarity and sharpness
Quiet and quick auto-focus
Features add creative versatility
Dual IS system
CONS:
Heavy and bulky (This should be expected with these types of lenses)
As an L lens, there are numerous features and is manufactured with high quality materials and a higher level of dust and moisture resistance compared to the standard line of lenses. This pro quality lens is meant for serious photographers with high demands of their equipment. The construction is sturdy and consists of 23 elements in 18 groups. The four Super UD-glass elements largely eliminate the secondary spectrum reducing residual chromatic aberration. An improved 8-blade circular aperture offers a more pleasing out-of-focus image. The Canon EF 70-200mm lens weighs in at about 3.24 lbs/1,470 g, and a minimal focusing distance of 4.3 ft/1.3 m. The front thread accepts 77mm filters, be sure to get a good quality UV haze filter to protect the front lens element. This lens is compatible with the 1.4x II and 2X II telephoto extenders.
Being white, this lens looks out of place, but helps it stay cool when shooting out in the sun. Some people are concerned that being white, it attracts attention to criminals. From my experience, my 20D attracts attention regardless of what lens I put on it. In addition, I most likely have a camera bag and tripod/monopod with me to further attract attention. I personally doubt a thief looking for something to steal is taking the time to evaluate the cost of the item and are more concerned with the ease of taking something they can unload. I try to make things difficult for would be thieves and have my equipment insured as a back up.
The dual IS system has two modes. Mode 1 is for stationary subjects while mode two is for moving subjects. It is recommended that the IS function is not used while using a tripod; however I have successfully used this feature while on my monopod. The IS helps to eliminate camera shake and helps stabilize the lens when shooting from a moving vehicle or in low light situations. While there are limitations to what the IS can do, it can give you a few extra stops. Just keep in mind, the IS attempts to eliminate camera movement, not the movement of the subject being photographed.
This lens permits for auto or manual focus depending on how the switch is set. There is also a switch to shift from a 1.4m/4.6ft to infinity or 2.5m/8.2ft to infinity.
Included with this lens are the tripod mount, lens hood, and storage case. The tripod mount is the best option to use when mounting to a tripod, helping to maintain balance. Mounting the camera instead creates an unbalanced set up that may topple over. The case is a zippered soft case (LZ1324) that can also be purchased separately. The lens hood (ET-86) is used to reduce lens flare and can protect the front element in certain situations. Often times, Amazon recommends purchasing the lens case and hood, however they are normally included with the lens.
The Canon EF 70-200mm is such an awesome lens, it almost fails to compare to the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM telephoto zoom. The EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM telephoto zoom lens is a well used option for me, but the clarity and sharpness of the 70-200mm IS lens is more refined. I doubt the 100-400mm lens will be replaced by this lens as a favorite. I find the push/pull focusing of the 100-400mm lens to be a benefit that the 70-200mm cannot replace. This lens can be used for portraits, landscape, sports or as a general walk about lens. The f/2.8L combined with the IS makes this lens a good option for certain low light situations. The features add creative versatility. The Canon EF 70-200mm IS lens comes at a price, but it is worth every bit of it.
PROS:
Incredible clarity and sharpness
Quiet and quick auto-focus
Features add creative versatility
Dual IS system
CONS:
Heavy and bulky (This should be expected with these types of lenses)
129 of 135 people found the following review helpful
Well, well, well..
This lense is known to be one of the best Canon lense.
It gives excellent pictures, fast focusing, and is very helpful through excellent Image Stabilizing mechanism.
HOWEVER, with $1700 price tag, any defect/quality control issue should be disclosed to this lense users.
Many lenses with serial number of UT08XX or earlier, there is phenomenon on the lense surface that you can see numerous "bubble" or "milky way". Newer ones do not have this phenomenon. You can see the phenomenon by illuminating a flash light through the front of the lense and looking at the mount part of the lense. If you happened to own this kind of lense, please check yours, and have the IS unit serviced by official Canon service center before the one-year warranty expires.
This lense is known to be one of the best Canon lense.
It gives excellent pictures, fast focusing, and is very helpful through excellent Image Stabilizing mechanism.
HOWEVER, with $1700 price tag, any defect/quality control issue should be disclosed to this lense users.
Many lenses with serial number of UT08XX or earlier, there is phenomenon on the lense surface that you can see numerous "bubble" or "milky way". Newer ones do not have this phenomenon. You can see the phenomenon by illuminating a flash light through the front of the lense and looking at the mount part of the lense. If you happened to own this kind of lense, please check yours, and have the IS unit serviced by official Canon service center before the one-year warranty expires.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
I wish I could like this lens at least a little bit
It's been 30 years since I've had this many bad shots in consecutive shooting sessions. I just tossed out another 200 of 215 shots from a sporting event for being over exposed and... Read more
Published 1 month ago by C. Weatbrook
Excellent Service
Received lens today, WAY AHEAD of schedule. Good Job. Lens looks to be as advertised in very good shape. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Dan Briggs
Beautiful
Beautiful lens.
I shoot a combination of sports (college football, basketball, hockey, etc etc), social events ( weddings, dances, conferences, dinners, receptions),... Read more
I shoot a combination of sports (college football, basketball, hockey, etc etc), social events ( weddings, dances, conferences, dinners, receptions),... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Sullivan06
The most incredible lens!
I purchased this lens specifically for weddings, and for trips. I have NEVER had a better lens. Yes, it is pricy. But you always get what you pay for (that's my motto). Read more
Published 3 months ago by Theresa Johansen
Awesome value if buying used
I purchased a used version of this lens. I was hesitant about the image quality, because I had read reviews and heard this lens tends to be soft at f/2.8. Read more
Published 3 months ago by petiepablo
Great Lens
This is a great lens. It is exactly as advertised and I am very pleased. I bought it used and it still functions like it is brand new.
Published 4 months ago by IronBrigadeRocks
fantastic lens! But do you need it?
I bought this lens after a year and a half with the f4 version and am amazed at the quality. This lens performs amazing for all of my needs, though I am no professional. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Scott D. Richards
a work horse!
what a lens! it can take a beating and keeps on going churning out beautiful images one after another. the is probably my most versatile lens in my lines of L lenses. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Maximus
70-200mm f/2.8L
Hands down the greatest lens I personaly have had the pleasure of using (bearing in mind i have not used the mark 2 or the IS versions). Read more
Published 9 months ago by Benaton420
The FERRARI of Lenses
The BEST all around lens for doing anything. Great telephoto for portrait since it covers all bases. Read more
Published 14 months ago by RE
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