400 2.8 IS. But I also really like the 70-200 f/4 IS and it's probably my most used Canon lens over the last couple years. Prior to it I used the f/2.8 IS version and was losing faith with a lot of hit or miss AF and overall veiling softness wide open at the long end. What a revelation the f/4 IS was in comparison, especially how well it could maintain contrast in backlit situations. I imagine the f/2.8 II is very similar as well.
I also really like what the TS-E 17 offers while maintaining very impressive image quality. Maybe not technically as good as the TS-E 24 II, but there's nothing else like it.
I just finished calibrating all of my lenses using the FoCal pro calibration software. By far the best of my many "L" lenses for consistent focusing was my 70-200.. f/4L IS, My "L" primes were pretty good, but the zoom was excellent at all focal lengths. I knew it was a good lens, but I was still amazed at how well it did on both my 7D and 5D MK II.
This software has let me learn a lot about theaccuracy, and more importantly, repeatability of my lenses. Focusing every time at the sharpest possible point is unusual in a lens.
Not necessarily the "best" lens, or even my favorite to use, but the 500 f/4L has had the biggest impact on my photographic life; using it properly usually puts me way out in the woods (or at least way out away from other people) where everything is reduced to the bare essentials - just me, the camera, and the prospective subject...and if I can't capture a subject that fills my need, at least I have the zen of the forest...
Something different...I have the 70-200 f/4L IS, use it for motorsports mostly and on a 5Dc...IQ, what you would expect from the L... also have and use the 300 f/4L IS on a 30D and most often for motorsports...my two most used...I think my favorite would be my 200 f/2.8L...I can walk out in my yard, it is a large yard, and get shots shooting wide open with this lens and be assured I will find something I like...nothing I had planed on in most cases...the lens just seems to pull something I'll like out of not much more than I wanted to take a picture
Ralph Conway wrote:
After 31 Years of photography I was never so happy with a new lens I purchased like I felt with the 70-200 4.0 L IS USM. Amazing!
I would like to hear your favorite lens purchase. Please, try to keep it down to just one (if possible). Tell me what is your favorite one and why.
Concerning me:
The 70-200 was my first L. I wanted to buy the non IS version. But my dealer gave me the IS for a test. After it was a must. And I presented it myself for christmas (2006). It was razorscharp about the whole range wide opened (4.0) and the IS was a saver even in lowest light (1/15th sec at 200mm). The weight was great and stil is compared to the 2.8.
Gee I don't know 300 f/2.8L IS, 500 f/4L IS, 70-200 f/2.8L IS II, 135L all sensational. Maybe the 300 is my favourite, although I tend to use the 500 more for birding and surfing.
