 |
|
|
nickmath
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Apr 23, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 0
|
|
Review Date: May 10, 2005
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,500.00
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
Built like a tank, image quality of a prime lens, IS works at least 3 f-stops, tripod mount included
|
|
Cons:
|
Price - but you get what you pay for
|
|
|
This is my new favorite lens. Amazingly sharp lens, fast focus and the IS enables me to photography what otherwise I wouldn't even think of trying. It is heavy but that doesn't bother me, I carried around on a hike and really didn't notice it more than another lens. I do find that I carry it more with my hands than with the neck strap alone due to its weight but I tend to take more pictures that way so I really don't mind it at all. I would recommend this lens for anyone who can afford it.
|
|
 May 10, 2005
|
|
tanglefoot47
Online
Image Upload: On
Registered: Oct 12, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 14736
|
|
Review Date: May 5, 2005
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,599.95
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
Fast, well built, great color one
|
|
Cons:
|
Cost
|
|
|
I love this lens, it is the best lens I have owned. I can now do soccer games in cloudy conditions and still get great shot's. Some say it's heavy I find it to be just right gives the camera a great feel. I would highly recommend this lens to anyone
|
|
|
May 5, 2005
|
|
Spartan37
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Dec 19, 2004
Location: Canada
Posts: 219
|
|
Review Date: Apr 27, 2005
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,800.00
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
Fast, IS, Solid Build, fast AF, L series Glass, Turned me into a photographer...LOL
|
|
Cons:
|
Heavy... however I knew that going in.
I hate the placement of the buttons and the fact they dont snap into place.
|
|
|
I am a beginner compared to most in this forum; however I have to tell you if you shoot action sports you need this lens. I use this on my 20D and have shot basketball in gyms with "bad" lighting and still ended up with bright clear shots.
Auto Focus is fast, and shooting Hockey is a real treat because of this. Some times I only have 10 or 15 minutes to get a shot before moving on to the next event and I know with this lens I will get a keeper in that time if the play on the ice allows it.
I personally don’t mind the colour of this lens, and as a matter of fact when I show up at sporting events they usually just wave me past the admission line guessing I must be a pro carrying this lens, it truly opens doors. (For the record I still pay if I am not there on a professional basis)
Lens is heavy and even though I was warned by reading several reviews, I wasn’t ready for how heavy it really is.
The only thing I can truly say I dislike on this lens is the placement of the Lens buttons. Canon should really look at moving them because it’s very easy to hit one and change it without knowing you have done so. I find I have to keep checking them after every burst I take. Short of moving them, they should have something to cover them.
I would say buying this can only help make you better no matter what level Photographer you are.
|
|
|
Apr 27, 2005
|
|
MarioPro
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Jun 22, 2004
Location: Portugal
Posts: 9
|
|
Review Date: Apr 24, 2005
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
|
|
Pros:
|
Sharpness, usability, image quality, robust, IS
|
|
Cons:
|
Lens buttons not protected, white color
|
|
|
This has been for quite a long time my first choice lens. Even in some situations when I can probably use a shorter FL lens I first try the 70-200 because its image quality is so good for a non prime lens that I get tempted.
The lens is fast, not only fast on apperture - f/2.8 but also in focusing. The USM works greatly.
The IS function, which has two modes if in ON - enables the panning to be done without compromising vertical shake stabilization, if you're not using a monopod or tripod, since when attached to on of these the IS function is automatically disabled.
By the way, the lens mode buttons are easy to unset inadvertedly and this is a negative aspect for this lens.
The colar is a great add when working on with a monopod/tripod since you'll be able to rotate the camera for portrait/landscape pictures.
The results with this lens are superb for a non prime lens and even attached to an exteder 2xII, doubling the focal lens the images are quite acceptable.
White color is good to avoid overheating but bad if you like to be discrete. I don't believe Canon will ever change the color for these lenses but it would be nice if they did.
On a 10D you might feel some disconfort with the battery grip because of the lens wheight but on a 1D Mark II or any 1 body the set will feel steady and confortable to work with.
As a comclusion, this a must buy for professionals and for amateurs, go if you have the money to spend on it, you never recoup but you'll be satisfied with the results and the pictures you get with the EF 70-200 f/2.8 L IS USM lens.
|
|
|
Apr 24, 2005
|
|
jonbrach
Offline
Image Upload: On
Registered: Dec 22, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 896
|
|
Review Date: Apr 13, 2005
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,649.00
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
sharpness,focus speed,build...
|
|
Cons:
|
size,price
|
|
|
I owned the 70-200 4.0 and loved it but decided that I wanted the 2.8 and the IS...I also own the 24-70 2.8l and several primes....I am overwhelmed by this lens.I can literally shoot images that are excellent at 1/6 at times...sometimes im amazed when i look at them....in fact,i can shoot at slower shutter speeds with my 70-200 with IS than I can with my 24-70 2.8l....there is no question that the lens is big and heavy,but once you get used to it you take it for granted....it is expensive as well but so is a mercedes or a bmw......if you can afford it i recommend the lens as highly as i can.....
|
|
|
Apr 13, 2005
|
|
IraGraham
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Oct 30, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 622
|
|
Review Date: Apr 5, 2005
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,600.00
| Rating: 9
|
|
Pros:
|
This lens is solidly built. Lens quality is very good though not as sharp as a prime such as the Canon 135 2.0. Autofocus is fast. Focus accuracy is good though you need to be carefull when using it at 2.8.
|
|
Cons:
|
You will have to get used to the weight. Usually the camera contols the movement of the lens, with this lens the lens controls movement of the camera. It gives you an idea of how it feels to carry a heavy lens like you see on the sidelines at pro football games. I can't imagine what a 600mm lens feels like. That being said, I am a big strong man that doesn't have any problems dealing with a lens of this weight. This lens will also draw attention. People will assume you are a proffesional and will bombard you with silly questions and compliments on your nice equipment. This personally gets on my nerves when I am trying to be low key.
|
|
|
This lens is a great addition to my lens collection. It enables me to change lenses less as well as keep the image quality excellent. I try not to think about the cost. I realize many will not be able to justify $1600 for any lens. I really like to feel I have the best equipment when I am working, so this fits my needs as well as my customers.
|
|
|
Apr 5, 2005
|
|
coachjohn
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Oct 12, 2002
Location: United States
Posts: 79
|
|
Review Date: Mar 31, 2005
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,765.00
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
Speed, optical quality, IS, build quality - darned close to the perfect short-to-medium focal length lens.
|
|
Cons:
|
Notice I said "close to perfect"....Canon, drop the price by about $300 and it would be.
|
|
|
It's been said time and time again...an incredibly sharp, incredibly well made, incredibly well-designed lens. The weight, at least for me, is truly not that big an issue; I shoot regularly with the 100-400 and if you're comfortable with that lens, you'll be comfortable with this one. The one caveat...the price. Too much more for the IS as opposed to the non-IS version. The one surprise...how much more noise the IS in the 70-200 makes compared to the IS in the 100-400. Something akin to a constant whirring sound when the shutter is half-depressed; not really annoying, just...different.
This is often mentioned as the most-used lens for many people. It's easy to see why.
|
|
|
Mar 31, 2005
|
|
abargath
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Jun 13, 2003
Location: Iceland
Posts: 0
|
|
Review Date: Mar 29, 2005
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
Sharp at all apertures, good colours and contrast. Built like a tank and IS works like a charm after you learn how to use it.
|
|
Cons:
|
Doesn´t balance as well as the 24-70L on a 20D with a battery grip. Weight seems to be more to the front so if you plan on using this for hours you really need a monopod or tripod. Other than that, nothing.
|
|
|
Hardly the best lens value for $ but this thing is awesome... Everything you have heard about it is true. If you got this and the 24-70L you are pretty much set, there is really nothing I can imagine you can´t do with these in general photography.
|
|
|
Mar 29, 2005
|
|
Tom_W
Online
Image Upload: On
Registered: Jan 20, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 5270
|
|
Review Date: Mar 27, 2005
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,645.00
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
Fast AF, IS, sharp as a tack, well built
|
|
Cons:
|
expensive
|
|
|
This is a well-made, sharp, fast lens. It really hasn't exhibited any flaws in the months that I've owned it. Images are always sharp; contrast is excellent, focus is very fast, and the IS works wonderfully.
Not much else to say - the lens is excellent. Just wish it were less expensive.
|
|
|
Mar 27, 2005
|
|
shotgun
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Oct 16, 2003
Location: Singapore
Posts: 43
|
|
Review Date: Mar 25, 2005
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
|
|
Pros:
|
Sharp. Fast AF. IS. Constant f2.8
|
|
Cons:
|
Pricey, maybe a bit too heavy for some..(but hey, I'm combining photography and bodybuilding), IS button location.
|
|
Finally got this bad boy yesterday, and have been testing it the whole day today... and what an impression it gave me!!
Build quality is superb - typical to most Canon L, but this one feels more sturdy and great in your hand, focuses very fast and accurate. I would rate image sharpness as excellent for a zoom. At f8, I could hardy tell the diff at a glance between this and my 85mm f1.8 prime. The IS works great. To really test how far it could go I managed to shoot at 1/25 @ 200mm handheld with acceptable results! Outdoor portraits at f4.5/5.6 produced very sharp images with creamy-smooth bokeh in the background.
On the downside, yeah it's pricey but IMO it's worth every penny I paid for. This is some lens you would have for keeps. For some (or most) people it is heavy, but that's not a problem with me since I'm into bodybuilding as well. I have handled the 400mm and 600mm L's and this baby is small and light by comparisson! Balances right with the batt grip on a 20D. With the RRS (Really Right Stuff) flash-bracket installed, the whole package weighs like an anchor, but I can live with it  Oh and one more thing, the IS button is placed where it is easily switched ON/OFF by the thumb by accident. It could have been made stiffer or placed somewhere where it can't be accidentally operated. Well, it's no big deal anyway.
I would highly recommend this lens to anyone anytime. It is expensive but like I said, it's for keeps. I wish my 24-70 f2.8L had IS too  )
Cheers!
|
|
|
Mar 25, 2005
|
|
jbregar
Offline
Image Upload: On
Registered: Mar 17, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 546
|
|
Review Date: Mar 11, 2005
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,450.00
| Rating: 9
|
|
Pros:
|
Sharp as a tack, fast AF, IS, excellent build quality
|
|
Cons:
|
It's not f/1.4 :), it's somewhat pricey, the lens hood scares small children and the elderly
|
|
|
Okay, first off... to all those who complain about how "large and heavy" this lens is... come ON. The 300/2.8 or 400/2.8 are large and heavy. This lens is EASILY hand-holdable by anyone who has even reasonable muscle tone in their upper body. You'd think this thing was a boat anchor for all the crying I hear about size/weight. I hike with this lens routinely and it's not a problem.
Now that that's said... this lens is gorgeous. The build and image quality are just simply stunning. I replaced a 70-200/4 with a Sigma 70-200/2.8 HSM and then replaced the Sigma with this beauty. I have never regretted the purchase one bit. It feels weighty and solid in your hands, but not overly so. The AF is fast and definite (an improvement over the Sigma, which hunted badly). The images that come out of this lens are amazing at all apertures.
I shoot sports, some outdoors stuff, street photojournalism, weddings and concerts with this lens and it consistently impresses both myself and my clients with its color and sharpness.
I wish I could recommend it higher than just "yes"!
|
|
|
Mar 11, 2005
|
|
Justanick
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Jan 30, 2005
Location: Germany
Posts: 0
|
|
Review Date: Feb 6, 2005
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 8
|
|
Pros:
|
Sharpness and speed
|
|
Cons:
|
Weight
|
|
It is a real good lense with an amazing image quality.
The IS does it´s job and the AF ist fast enough for any kind of shooting.
On the other side it is really heavy and big.
For me, its just a begining of a long partnership.
|
|
|
Feb 6, 2005
|
|
J.D.
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Dec 1, 2003
Location: Australia
Posts: 2139
|
|
Review Date: Feb 5, 2005
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,595.00
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
Very sharp, very fast and accurate AF, IS, build quality and finish, depth of field effects, fast constant F2.8 aperture.
|
|
Cons:
|
Weight(!), cost.
|
|
|
Top quality lens at a rather high cost, especially given that the non-IS version is disproportionately cheaper. Very fast autofocussing and excellent IS make it an ideal medium-to-long telephoto for DSLR's. Constant F2.8 is a real standout and images look very good when wide open. This is a lens which must be handled carefully. Because it is so heavy, I would recommend that the lens alway be supported as the torque forces on the mount would be very significant if the whole package is handled only by the camera body. Even though I see this lens virtually every day of my working life, it still took me some time to get used to its size and weight.
For what it's worth, I have considerable experience shooting with stabilised lenses from helicopters; mainly the Schwem gyro-stabilised television lens but I have also shot with the Canon stabilised television lens. The stabiliser is not as effective as the Schwem but the picture quality is vastly superior; to the point where there is no comparison worth making. Compared to the Canon television lens, the 70-200mm's stabiliser has about the same level of effectiveness. This method of stabilisation is probably better suited to still photography than television pictures.
For anyone seriously considering this lens there is one thing which I think needs to be considered very carefully. This is, as I have said, a large and very heavy lens. There are plenty of other lenses on the market, including Canon's own 70-200 F4L, which are a lot lighter and more convenient to use. If portability is an issue then you should think very carefully about whether or not you need the features it offers. If you do then this one is the bomb.
|
|
|
Feb 5, 2005
|
|
doctordoom16
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Dec 13, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 5
|
|
Review Date: Jan 31, 2005
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,600.00
| Rating: 9
|
|
Pros:
|
Build quality superb, AF speed is quite and quick, balances well on 20D with battery grip, Sharp pictutes, IS.
|
|
Cons:
|
Takes some practice to get the sharp pictures that it is capable of getting, Very heavy (even more so than my 300f4), lense hood just does not seem like a good fit (I have had 2 copies and both needed a little effort). Some quality control issues.
|
|
|
I had problems with the first one I bought (IS stopped working and AF was slower than it should be) I exchanged it and no problems since. I will say that I have used almost all lenses at this focal length (Tokina 80-200, sigma, 70-200, canon 70-200 f2.8&f4, Nikon 80-200, nikon 70-200VR-before i swithced to canon). I really like this lense. I mostly use primes (135, 85, 50, 300) and i really like the convenience of fast glass with all these focal lengths. I will say that this lense will produce ultra sharp pictures (printed a 20x24 portrait), especially with freds sharpening plugin. It is built very well (Idid like the feel of the nikon 70-200VR better and the black finish). It balances well with the vertical grip on the 20D (too big without the grip). AF is fast and VR is fast to kick in (faster than the nikon). On a tripod, I can't tell the difference between this and the 70-200 f4 or the 70-200 canon w/o IS (It is sharper than the sigma to the naked eye). Off the tripod at shutter speeds below 250, this lense is sharper than non IS. The IS does make a difference (I have shot at 200mm at 1/60s with very good results). Below this i found softness, but still acceptable. Price is a bit high.
|
|
|
Jan 31, 2005
|
|
pizznal
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Dec 21, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 5
|
|
Review Date: Jan 29, 2005
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,749.99
| Rating: 9
|
|
Pros:
|
Sharp wide open. Even shizzarper when stopped down one. Image Stabilization is the bizzomb...I wish my 24-70 L had IS.
|
|
Cons:
|
|
|
|
I just got this bad boy yesterday and I'm loving it. This is the bizzomb.....that's it and that's all.
|
|
|
Jan 29, 2005
|
|
nahminator
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Dec 17, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 130
|
|
Review Date: Jan 28, 2005
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,749.00
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
Sharp wide open. Very sharp when stopped down even one stop from wide open. Image Stabilization! Great build quality. Nice case and lens hood.
|
|
Cons:
|
None so far. This is my favorite lens.
|
|
|
This is a beautiful lens. I highly recommend this bad boy.
|
|
|
Jan 28, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reviews
|
Views
|
Date of last review
|
|
352
|
726860
|
Feb 6, 2013
|
|
|
Recommended By
|
Average Price
|
|
91% of reviewers
|
$3,248.85
|
|
|
Build Quality Rating
|
Price Rating
|
Overall Rating
|
|
9.82
|
8.18
|
9.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
