canon-ef-70-200mm-f28

8/14/2019 Canon-EF-70-200mm-f28

1/6

8/14/2019 Canon-EF-70-200mm-f28

2/6

are quite satisfactory to me. Stopping down from f/2.8 to f/4 will show a difference - and willmake this lens very close in performance to the remarkable Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USMLens at the same aperture.

Color and contrast are good. Some CA is present (especially in the upper focal lengths).Vignetting is well controlled, basically only showing in the corners at f/2.8 and encroachingthe most at 200mm. I notice slight barrel distortion at the 70-200's widest focal lengths fullframe body. Distortion is not an issue with a 1.3x or 1.6x FOVCF body.

Utilizing an 8-blade circular aperture, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens deliversforeground/background blur quality that is renowned . It doesn't get much better than

this. The longer included focal lengths will create a diffuse background blur as well.

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens delivers fixed focal length lens performance ina much more versatile (in my opinion) package. Use the included ISO 12233 Resolution TestChart sample crops to compare the 70-200 IS with some of the fixed focal length lenses inthis focal length range such as the Canon EF 135mm f/2.0 L Lens and the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L IIUSM Lens. The primes have some advantages (a wider aperture is one of the biggest) and Iuse them, but the versatility of 130 other instantly-available focal lengths causes me to farmore frequently use the 70-200 IS. Having zoom versatility can mean the differencebetween getting the shot and getting nothing with a young, energetic child. Any croppingrequired on a picture shot with the prime will quickly negate any image quality advantage ithas.

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens' internal focusing is very fast, quiet andaccurate thanks in part to Canon's excellent Ring USM (Ultrasonic Motor). An autofocus rangelimitation switch enables enhanced autofocus performance. Aside from a very slight amountof play in the focus ring (not enough to impede manual focusing), the zoom and focus ringsare very smooth and nicely sized. The objective lens does not rotate or extend with focusing(or with focal length changes).

In the above comparison picture from left to right are the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens,Canon EF 180mm f/3.5 L USM Lens, Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens and the Canon EF300mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens. The 180 and 70-200 have Wimberley P20 Lens Plates mounted onthem.

Canon's excellent Image Stabilization (IS) allows the 70-200 IS to be handheld in 3 f-stopslower light level than the non-IS Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L USM Lens. I can handhold this lens at200mm with a shutter speed as low as 1/30 and maintain a decent hit-rate whereas the non-IS lens would require a shutter speed of at least 1/200 to yield similar results.

The included Mode-2 IS is designed for panning. Use it for a subject moving in one direction -pan the camera with the subject. Good subjects for Mode-2 IS include a bicyclist or a vehicle.Blur the background with motion - leave the subject sharp with good depth of field.

This IS version is tripod-sensing - The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens knows that a

tripod is being used when vibrations go below a certain level. Keep IS turned on whenmounting on a tripod to take advantage of this secondary IS mode - reducing mirror slap,shutter and tripod vibrations. The downside is the slightly additional battery drain.

Keep in mind that Image Stabilization will not stop subject motion. Moving subjects such as arunning soccer player will require higher shutter speeds (or a bright flash) to stop the action -Image Stabilization does not help in these situations. Many people question the additionalcost of the IS version of the 70-200 f/2.8. My advice - unless you are only shooting fast actionor in bright lighting conditions, go for the IS version.

Model MFD MM

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM Lens 3.9' (1.20m) .21x

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens 3.9' (1.20m) .21x

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM Lens 4.9' (1.50m) .13x

Canon EF 70-200mm f/ 2.8 L IS USM Lens 4.6' (1.30m) .17x

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM II Macro Lens 3.3' (1.00m) .29x

Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di Macro Lens 3.1' (.95m) .32xWith a relatively long closest focus distance of 4.9' (1.5m), the 70-200 IS is not going to beconfused with a macro lens. A maximum magnification of .16x can be a limiting factor forvery tight portraits with this lens on a full-frame body. Of course, extension tubes can help -taking the maximum magnification to .22x and .41x for 12mm and 25mm tubes respectively.

Page 2 of 6Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens Review

7/8/2008http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-70-200mm-f-2.8-L-IS-USM-Le...

8/14/2019 Canon-EF-70-200mm-f28

3/6

The maximum magnification at 200mm is actually less when extension tubes are used (.06xand .14x) than when they are not present. Native maximum magnification is achieved at200mm.

A tripod ring, a lens hood and a nice lens case are included in the box when the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens purchased from a reputable retailer. With a 77mm filter size, it iseasy to share filters across Canon's L lens series zooms.

Above from left to right are the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM Lens, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L ISUSM Lens, Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM Lens and Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens. Thetwo f/2.8 lenses are shown with their included tripod rings. The f/2.8 IS lens is shown with anoptional Wimberley P20 Lens Plate attached to the tripod ring. The same lenses are shownbelow with their included lens hoods attached.

I find MANY uses for my Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens, but portraitphotography is where this lens shines for me. I would choose the 70-200 IS over everythingelse if I were going to take out-of-the-studio portrait pictures - especially candid portraits.Some may find the 70-200mm focal length slightly long on a 1.6x FOVCF body, but this lenswould still be my personal choice. Image Stabilization lets me take indoor daylight-litportraits without additional lighting (with a still subject that is).

Outdoor sports photography is another popular use for the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 LIS USM Lens. I say outdoor sports because f/2.0 or higher is often required to achieve a highenough shutter speed to stop indoor sports action. If the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USMLens is what you have, definitely use it for indoors sports. You will likely need to use ISO1600 or 3200 to stop the action. Of course, if your indoor sports lighting is exceptional, this isthe perfect lens to use.

OK, back outdoors ... The 200mm maximum focal length is fine for even the big field events ifyou are using a 1.6x FOVCF body and/or a Canon Extender EF 1.4x. More serious field sports(soccer, baseball ...) photographers prefer even longer focal lengths such as those available inthe Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens - is a very good alternative for this use. Whilethe pros often shoot these sports with a Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS Lens, they frequently haveanother camera body with a 70-200 IS mounted on it for the closer action. The wide f/2.8aperture availability can be a big help for those early morning, late evening or heavilyovercast events.

Going for a walk in the parkor to the beach with the family? The 70-200mm focal length isgreat for candid shots of the loved ones. Some think the 70-200 IS weighs too much for this

use; most don't mind the weight after seeing their results.

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens is frequently employed at weddings. Lack oflight is generally not a problem at outdoor weddings, but indoor weddings (and receptions)are usually light-challenged. There is not a lot of action (movement) during most wedding



8/14/2019 Canon-EF-70-200mm-f28

4/6

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

ceremonies and IS can be very helpful in this situation. The 70-200 zoom range lets you takea variety of shots without intruding on the ceremony. Capturing unsuspecting subjects resultsin more-candid shots.

Indoor church and stage performance photography can be a great use for the Canon EF70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens as long as the subjects are not moving too much. Indoor andoutdoor event photography is another great use.

General wildlife photography is another area where my Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L ISUSM Lens finds occasional use. When paired with the Canon Extender EF 1.4x on a Canon bodywith a 1.6x FOVCF, this lens starts having some significant reach. If you plan to use this lens

with an extender most of the time, I once again suggest you look at the Canon 100-400mmf/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens or the Canon 300mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens as performance with the 1.4x isdecent but not exceptional. The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens is also compatiblewith the Canon Extender EF 2x II, but not everyone will be satisfied with the results of thiscombination.

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens is not an inexpensive lens, but it is veryworth the price in my opinion. I consider this my second most important lens with thefirst being a more general purpose lens in focal length range. My keeper rate from this lens isamong the best of any lenses I have used.

Recommended Shopping Resources (Using these links to make your purchase supports this site)Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens at B&H PhotoCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens atAmazon.comCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens atAdorama (Imported)Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens atAdoramaCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens at 17th Street PhotoCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens at J& RFind the best price on the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens

Rent the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens (Using these links supports this site)Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens at LensRentals.comCanon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens at LensProToGo(Price includes round trip shipping)* If out of stock, ask the rental company if they can accommodate your need.

More Canon EF 70-200mm f/ 2.8 L IS USM Lens Reviews & InformationPopular Photography & ImagingLuminous-Landscape.comPhoto.netSportsShooter.comFredMiranda.com



8/14/2019 Canon-EF-70-200mm-f28

5/6



8/14/2019 Canon-EF-70-200mm-f28

6/6

Terms | Privacy Policy | 2003 - 2008 Bryan Carnathan"Powered By Christ!"


canon-ef-70-200mm-f28

Documents