Lenses:

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

Class:: Zoom Telephoto
Part number:: 7042A002
Introduced:: 2001

Similar Lenses

Canon	EF	75-300mm	f/4.0-5.6					$159.95	Details
Canon	EF	75-300mm	f/4.0-5.6				USM	$189.95	Details
Canon	EF	55-200mm	f/4.5-5.6				USM	$209.95	Details
Canon	EF	70-300mm	f/4.0-5.6			IS	USM	$559.95	Details
Canon	EF	70-200mm	f/4.0	L			USM	$584.95	Details
Canon	EF	70-200mm	f/2.8	L			USM	$1,139.95	Details
Canon	EF	70-300mm	f/4.5-5.6		DO	IS	USM	$1,149.95	Details
Canon	EF	70-200mm	f/4.0	L		IS	USM	$1,249.00	Details
Canon	EF	70-200mm	f/2.8	L		IS	USM	$1,699.95	Details
Canon	EF	85mm	f/1.2	L			USM	$1,999.95	Details

Thoughts

This lens is considered by many to be the finest zoom lens in existence. It’s extremely sharp, extremely fast, covers very useful telephoto focal lengths, and has Canon’s excellent image stabilization.

There aren’t any optical downsides to this lens. Chromatic aberrations, vignetting, and distortions of any kind are very tame. Image quality is outstanding. Some say that the IS version is slightly softer than the 70-200 f/2.8 L, but most are hard-pressed to note a difference, and the image stabilizer’s ability to hand-hold a 200mm shot at 1/30 is invaluable.

This lens is very popular to use with Canon’s 1.4x and 2.0x telecoverters, making it a 100-280 f/4 or a 140-400 f/5.6 respectively. Unlike slower L-zooms, the f/2.8 will autofocus on all Canon cameras, even with extenders in place.

This lens, like the rest of the 70-200 family, is internal focusing, internal zooming, and has a non-rotating front element. The lens does not change shape at all during operation, which allows it to be built exceedingly tough. It’s even weather-sealed, which allows use in harsh environments like rain when paired with a weather-sealed body (such as the 1Ds).

The only real compromises are size, weight, and price. It’s pretty big, it’s pretty heavy, and it’s the second most expensive Canon zoom on the market (after the 28-300 L). Additionally, there is some concern that cheaper canons (e.g. Digital Rebels), with their plastic frames, cannot properly support this lens, so always use the included tripod collar.