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jrobichaud
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Registered: Feb 21, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 279
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Review Date: Dec 18, 2011
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,900.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Focuses fast, tracks great, but most importantly, IQ is near legendary.
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Cons:
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This is where I would say that it's not $1000, but in truth, it's worth $3000.
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Initially, I poo pod the idea of an upgrade to my 70-200mm 2.8 IS. It performed very well, and sometimes I think Canon upgrades just to sell more lenses because you can get 10-15 years use out of these. Well, I had the opportunity to upgrade for just a few hundred dollars, so I did. Never really thought that I would see any difference image wise. I was wrong! With this lens on a 30D or 1D mkIIn on my shoulder on the sideline, I would use her when the action came to close for the 400mm/500mm. As I combed through the first few games I found a striking difference in sharp useable images from the IS I. 8 games later, I am completely convinced, this is the finest zoom and one of the finest lenses that I have ever used! Rivals the 300mm 2.8L, rivals my100mm 2.8L, I've never seen anything like it. I had no idea what I was missing with the IS mkI. Focuses faster, tracks better, but most importantly, IQ is near legendary.
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 Dec 18, 2011
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Le_Slacker
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Registered: Apr 18, 2011
Location: Canada
Posts: 7
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Review Date: Dec 17, 2011
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,974.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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awesome all around
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Cons:
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upgraded from the f4 IS version - I loved that lens and very few are better all around - the 2.8 II is one of those!
Get a good strap - sure the lens has some weight to it, but it's very manageable, proper strap will share the load with your body and you can shoot all day!
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Dec 17, 2011
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dolina
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Registered: Nov 5, 2008
Location: United States
Posts: 3286
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Review Date: Nov 16, 2011
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
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Pros:
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1 Fluorite and 5 UD elements resulting in vastly improved image quality, 10cm shorter minimum focusing than the Version 1 & an extra stop of IS
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Cons:
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20g heavier, $800 more expensive than the Version 1
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I have the Version 1 and Version 2 of this lens. I did a side by side test between the two during a football match using two EOS 7D bodies with the same brand battery and same brand 8GB memory card.
I noticed that the USM is much more responsive and quieter on the Version 2 than on the Version 1 that I immediately noticed which subject is in focus.
I would not have noticed this if I weren't switching between the two setups seconds between each other.
If you are a working photog with a Version 1 I would buy this Version 2 ASAP and keep or sell the Version 1. The Version 2 will shorten your workflow significantly.
If you are a non-working photog with the Version 1 I would keep it and buy another zoom or prime lens.
To quantify the Version 2 I would say this is a 25% improvement over the Version 1
If you want to see lens samples on full frame, APS-H and APS-C bodies go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/alabang/tags/canonef70200mmf28lisiiusm/
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Nov 16, 2011
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Chiefdog72
Offline
Buy and Sell: On
Registered: Oct 19, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 204
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Review Date: Oct 6, 2011
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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I’ve been shooting with this lens for over a year…….
Over the years I’ve owned three versions of this lens; non-IS, IS ver 1, and now IS ver 2. I absolutely loved the non IS version, so when the IS version came out I bought one. I had to send it in to Canon Irvine for adjustment (which was free). After I got it back I loved it and sold my non IS version.
I was very happy with version one of this lens, so I was hesitant to spend the bucks for version two…….I bit the bullet and bought it, but was skeptical that it would be worth the upgrade…….I was surprised Canon could improve an already great lens this much.
To me the upgrade was well worth it…..it’s faster, sharper, and the IQ is stunning. I own a 300 2.8 L IS, 135 2.0 L and have had the opportunity to use a 200 2.0 L IS on several occasions; this lens does not beat these lenses, but it certainly can hold its’ own against them. For a zoom to even be mentioned with, much less compared to, these lenses is phenomenal; you will not be disappointed with this lens.
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Oct 6, 2011
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Ozimax
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Registered: Nov 2, 2003
Location: Australia
Posts: 9
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Review Date: Sep 14, 2011
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $2,700.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Build, colour, versatility, re-sale value, focal length, bokeh. This is it, the best all round lens ever made by any company. (Caveat; I have never used Leica)
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Cons:
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Weight, price, but then again, you knew this before you bought it, eh?
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I have been through some outstanding Canon lens in my time, including 135 F2, 50 F1.2 etcetera. Forget it. Sell the lot and buy this lens. It is THE lens for portraits, sports, weddings, candids, kids, compressed landscapes. The focussing is instant, the colour is classic Canon, the bokeh is world class, the versatility is unbeatable, the build is bombproof.
Price? Yes, it's expensive, but as they say, "you get what you pay for!"
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Sep 14, 2011
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HarveyGold
Offline
Buy and Sell: On
Registered: Sep 12, 2009
Location: Canada
Posts: 86
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Review Date: Sep 1, 2011
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $2,500.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Image Quality, with a capital I.Q. Outstanding build quality, AF speed and AF accuracy.
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Cons:
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None. Nope, not even the weight.
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A number of years ago I purchased my first 70-200. It was the f/4 non-IS version and I thoroughly enjoyed that lens. I soon felt the need for a faster aperture and purchased the f/2.8 non-IS version with which I was very happy. Image quality was very good and the weight was manageable. However, not long after, I decided to upgrade to the IS version of that lens but was never totally happy with the image quality it delivered, especially at 200mm and wide open.
When the 70-200 f/4L IS was introduced and got rave reviews, I decided to give up the fast aperture and opt for the improved image quality. That turned out to be a fantastic lens and I loved the images it produced. Then along came the new f/2.8L Version II and because of the reviews I couldn't resist. I coughed up the money and bought one.
That was one of my best ever purchases. In a word, this lens is spectacular in every way. The AF is super fast and accurate and the image quality it produces is simply outstanding. At any focal length and any aperture. I am in love with this lens. I believe it is as sharp as my 300 f/2.8L IS and my 500 f/4L IS. Yes, you read that correctly.
I shoot a lot of action photography, including race cars, superbike races, motocross races and dog events. This lens goes along with me everywhere, right beside my 300/2.8L IS. It's indispensable.
Was it worth the money and the extra weight. Without a doubt. I would buy it again in a heartbeat. If you are looking for a 70-200 and have the funds to buy this one, GO FOR IT. You won't be sorry.
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Sep 1, 2011
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barmaley
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Oct 24, 2009
Location: Russia
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Aug 20, 2011
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Outstanding image quality, excellent build, very fast AF, effective IS
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Cons:
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Heavy, big, white
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I borrowed this lens from a friend, and I was greately impressed with it. It even beats my 200 2.8L II USM prime!
This is a lens with outstanding performance. It is very sharp wide open, has wonderful color and tonal rendition, virtually none CA and very fast AF. It is weather sealed and build to last.
But it is big and heavy, and attracts too much attention.
You can read a small review with sample images here:
http://alexsukonkin.com/reviews/Canon-EF70-200-f28-L-IS-USM_en.shtml
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Aug 20, 2011
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melashcott
Offline
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Registered: Oct 21, 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Aug 4, 2011
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $2,300.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Sharp, fast, clean and smooth - built like a tank
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Cons:
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A little heavy on a pro body - go to the gym!
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This lens is the best zoom lens I have ever owned. it may well be the best zoom ever made - simply stunning sharp images that pop the subjest out of the background. Not quite the pop of the 135mm f2L - but hey, this lens focusses super fast, and once locked on with a 1D mark iv, will follow the action with ease and aplomb.
Simply, if you can afford it - get it! You can see some photographic examples and a more indepth article in the Camera / Lens section of my blog at: http://www.weddingphotographymelbourne.com.au
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Aug 4, 2011
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Fast Shadow
Offline
Buy and Sell: On
Registered: Oct 7, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 235
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Review Date: Jul 26, 2011
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $2,070.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Tack sharp, lightning quick focus, great IS, great bokeh.
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Cons:
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Weight, price
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Bought this lens before the most recent price hikes. I paid $2070 shipped from Amazon. The build quality is outstanding. It feels like a piece of high precision industrial equipment to handle... which is basically what it is. The locking lens hood is also a nice improvement. This lens takes the 1.4x TC II and III very well. It also does well with the 2.0x TC but the performance hit is much more noticeable. The weight can be a little much when combined with a 1 series body. Even though it's a relatively small lens I would recommend either a monopod or a sling style strap if you plan on carrying this lens for hours at a time. Highly recommended, it's the best short/mid range tele zoom there is.
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Jul 26, 2011
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Ray_B
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Apr 16, 2008
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 33
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Review Date: Jul 5, 2011
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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sharp, colour, contrast, IS
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Cons:
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strong lightsources, can't allways avoid em turns purple, guess we'll have to live with that.
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You could be pixelpeepin all day and all night, its gonna tell you the same story, this lens is sharp, period, IS rocks, hat off for the hood that locks, should be standard, focus was spot on out of the box as i found out after straying away.Weight is no issue, take it like a man, price?, dunno, i forgot about that.
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Jul 5, 2011
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ESC in KC
Offline
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Registered: Dec 26, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 2647
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Review Date: Jun 21, 2011
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $2,100.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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fantastic images throughout the range and apertures
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Cons:
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Just not a good walk-around lens due to size
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I sold my f/2 135L and my 70-200 2.8L IS (I) to buy this lens. Absolutely no regrets. The 135 was an amazing lens, but without IS, I was just not always willing to shoot with it under about 1/100 due to camera shake. Also, I found the f/2 a little tough to manage in my portrait work, so the 2.8 is good enough for me.
And the sharpness on this lens is nothing short of spectacular wide open... If my version I of this lens was a '7' that would make this one a strong strong '9'. It is that much better.
The older I get the more I appreciate it when I spend the money on the best available. Don't go cheap - just sell off anything you have in this range and just get it! :-)
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Jun 21, 2011
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beauport
Offline
Buy and Sell: On
Registered: Sep 26, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 2231
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Review Date: Jun 16, 2011
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $2,249.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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One very fine lens. I own the F4 IS version and as good as that lens is this tops it in a number of areas. There are less measurable areas where this lens shines, IQ, AF, IS. Build quality is superb.
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Cons:
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It's still heavy which prevented my from buying the previous version originally. Not cheap.
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Jun 16, 2011
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40Driggs
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Sep 16, 2008
Location: United States
Posts: 440
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Review Date: Jun 11, 2011
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $2,067.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Wide open sharpness, colors, contrast, 4 stop IS, fast autofocus
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Cons:
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price
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This is easily the best zoom lens that I have gotten the privilege of using. I used to have a Sigma 70-200 HSM II, which was a good lens (steal for the price), but was always renting the Canon IS version I lens for event shooting. I decided to give myself a Christmas present last year and went for the lens. I knew that I would always regret settling on a lesser lens so I spent the extra money.
This is one of those lenses that you try to find a way to use for everything. Awesome build, fantastic image quality corner to corner at all apertures and distances, and a fantastic 4 stop IS system. I liked the first version of the lens, but there is a noticeable difference between the two. Highly recommended!
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Jun 11, 2011
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Daan B
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Aug 16, 2007
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 7405
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Review Date: Jun 6, 2011
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,850.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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See below
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Cons:
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See below
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What's good:
It has superb IQ:
- sharp already @ wide open @ every focal length
- little CA and fall-off
- some distortion
- excellent colors and contrast
- excellent human skin rendition
- great bokeh
It handles great and is built to last. 4 stop IS rules. AF is very fast and spot on most of the time (5D2).
Downsides:
- heavy and big
- it screams 'here I am'
- EXPENSIVE 
I traded my f/4 IS, 100/2 and 135L for it. No regrets whatsoever. I needed something faster than the f/4 zoom and missed IS greatly on the 135L. Besides, 2.8 is more than enough for me. Plus I needed the flexibility. I didn't find any noticeable negatives in IQ between these lenses and the 70-200 II IS. Rather the opposite.
Great lens. Easily one of Canon's finest zoom lenses!
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Jun 6, 2011
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solaris9000
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Jun 3, 2007
Location: N/A
Posts: 0
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Review Date: May 18, 2011
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Sharpness, speed, colour, build quality, etc etc
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Cons:
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Non
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I thought very long and hard about getting this lens. Having read all the positives about this lens, I finally went for it.
I was not disappointed. The sharpness is simply stunning for a zoom. The speed is very quick indeed and puts a smile on my face every time. The colour and contrast are excellent.
Of course this kind of quality does not come cheap. It's also a little heavy - initially. But once you are use to it, I do not find it a problem any more.
Overall this is a highly recommended lens for any Canon shooter.
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May 18, 2011
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Victor Go
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Apr 13, 2007
Location: Singapore
Posts: 47
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Review Date: May 4, 2011
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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This lens can compete with primes in terms of sharpness and contrast. I use mainly prime lenses, cos I felt generally that zoom lenses are sub standard. This lens changes my mind totally.
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Cons:
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Nil
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Got this lens for 1mth buy now. Shot many frames with it, and it has won my confidence back for canon's zoom lenses. this guy produces images just slightly behind my 200f2. If you cannot afford the 200f2, this is the next best option. The image quality is better than the 200f2.8L. Geat job done by the Canon's engineers.
Will be uploading my samples to http://victor.shutterbug.sg
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May 4, 2011
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Reviews
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Views
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Date of last review
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107
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126197
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May 1, 2013
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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94% of reviewers
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$2,387.71
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Build Quality Rating
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Price Rating
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Overall Rating
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9.94
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8.72
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9.9
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