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ollram Offline
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Registered: Oct 20, 2004 Location: Estonia Posts: 946
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Review Date: Sep 19, 2018
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,900.00
| Rating: 9
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Great lense. Expecting to test the version III
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Sep 19, 2018
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therock Offline
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Registered: Jan 25, 2006 Location: United States Posts: 1779
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Review Date: May 15, 2018
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,700.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Very sharp MKII copy. Even with the 1.4X II extender.
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Cons:
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Price.
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I see the last review was in 2010. Its 2018 and my copy is a keeper. I traded in an original version for this very sharp MKII copy. I sampled my 1.4X II extender and finally feel like I'm getting what I paid for out of the extender. If it loses anything it may be just a tad contrast but is still sharp.
My hands are not as steady as they used to be and the MKII IS has put me back in the game over the original.
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May 15, 2018
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elfanucchi Offline
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Registered: Jul 5, 2005 Location: United States Posts: 183
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Review Date: Mar 24, 2017
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,800.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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IQ and sharpness are the best yet .. Possibly Canons best.
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Cons:
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Weight ... Price ... But you can't fool Mother nature or physics.
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NOTE .. I had the 70 - 200 F/4 L non IS previously for several years.
If you carry 2 cameras at same time .. suggest you go with the above lighter version.
I no longer carry 2 cameras at once.
If you carry 1 camera and or care about quality go with the 70 - 200 2.8 v II.
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Mar 24, 2017
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tsangc Offline
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Registered: Nov 22, 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1059
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Review Date: Dec 28, 2016
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,400.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Exceptional image quality, fast focusing, construction
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Cons:
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Price, weight
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I owned the original version of this lens, the 70-200mm f2.8L IS USM, since 2006. I used it so much, I actually wore out the USM focusing motor and had it replaced last year. But I recently had the opportunity to pick up a used copy of the new II model and sold off my original version.
I felt the original lens had great image quality, especially in the 90-130mm range. At 200mm my copy was softer, and this seemed to coincide with other users comments. I loved the larger aperture, fast focusing, and rugged construction of a very useful focal length.
The 70-200mm range is great for portraits and event photography. I've used mine for countless events, headshots, and casual candids. I've also taken it with me on a number of travels, despite it's heavy weight.
The II version takes that well proven model and fixes the primary issue, which is image quality. I had not planned to upgrade as the new version is fairly expensive. But now that I have, I am really quite impressed how good this new lens is.
The image quality is exceptional. It certainly outperforms the classic EF primes, and fixes the sharpness issues at the 180-200mm range that my older lens had.
It also takes the 1.4x Extender II well, which my older 70-200mm never did.
The 70-200mm is a core part of the photography I do. As for the new model, it's great and a welcome enhancement. If you don't have one already, then I think it's an important investment if you shoot events and travel. If you do, the cost of the upgrade may not be worth it: It is difficult to justify the wholesale cost of a new lens when the original model was already quite good.
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Dec 28, 2016
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Shutterbug2006 Offline
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Registered: Jun 3, 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 2000
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Review Date: Apr 5, 2016
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $2,000.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Sharp! Great contrast! Feels like a tank.
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Cons:
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Price! Weight.
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I owned the first version of this lens for ten years or so and was always impressed with the results.
I sold that lens on the weekend for $1200 Canadian (ouch), and picked up a used version II today. It looks brand new. The only missing from the sale was the box.
But when I put the lens on my cameras, I noticed that the Image Stabilization is noticeably better than the V1 of the lens. But moreover, this lens is INCREDIBLY sharper. Maybe my V1 lens was a dog, I don't know. This one blows my old one out of the water, though in reality it's just a small improvement - but improved enough I can see the difference on the camera LCD.
I put a Canon 1.4X II TC on the lens, and the AF seemed just as fast. Not so with my older V1 lens.
I'm very impressed. Now I have a 100-400L IS to upgrade (ouch).
I think it was worth the difference of $800 Canadian that I paid to upgrade, but maybe I'm just crazy.
I don't think you can go wrong with this lens, particularly if you like making portrait shots, and especially for indoor sports like ice hockey.
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Apr 5, 2016
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Peter Kirk Offline
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Registered: Sep 25, 2004 Location: Australia Posts: 312
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Review Date: May 11, 2015
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Sharp, great IS
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Cons:
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$$
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Super sharp and the IS works a treat...what a great lens.
If you want the best, this is it ...by far
The image quality is of Prime lens standard at ALL focal lengths..what a piece of engineering
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May 11, 2015
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DesertFoxPhoto Offline
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Registered: Sep 20, 2014 Location: United States Posts: 57
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Review Date: Dec 10, 2014
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,949.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Fast, incredibly accurate AF, razor sharp images and lifelike, vibrant image rendering.
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Cons:
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Price and weight, but that's a reasonable compromise.
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If you're interested in event portraiture from a distance where quality absolutely counts and you need the extra light gathering ability of a 2.8 lens, this is an excellent solution. I've used it for hockey, zoo and event portraiture with fantastic results and plan on using it for more lifestyle/convention photography in the future. It won't replace my wide angle zoom, but for situations where I just can't get close enough, this lens brings me right into the action and captures the moments admirably.
The only downsides to this lens have been weight and price, however the weight is more easily balanced out if you get a battery grip extension for your body. As for price, this becomes less of an issue if you time your purchase right to take advantage of Canon's rebate programs or their refurbish sales.
The big draw with this lens is the vibrant lifelike color rendering. The images just have this visual 'pop' to them that really stands out. Snappy, accurate auto-focus and the excellent image stabilization round out an overall rock solid package. If you need the best telephoto zoom with solid reliability and performance in this range, this is really the way to go. Pull out all stops and just buy this lens.
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Dec 10, 2014
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jmontis Offline
Buy and Sell: On

Registered: Sep 7, 2011 Location: United States Posts: 27
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Review Date: Nov 30, 2014
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,800.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Fast autofocus, build quality, amazing IS,
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Cons:
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weight
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This is the most amazing lens I have ever owned! As a full time wedding photographer I use this lens more than any other. Sharp wide open, great contrast and color. Focus rarely misses and is fast even in low light situations. The most incredible aspect of this lens is the IS. I don't have the steadiest of hands and I can hand hold this lens at 200mm and get tack sharp images at 1/30th. Hard to believe? Try it yourself, this is a simply incredible lens. Even at over $2,000 it is worth every penny!
See images at:
http://www.JonMontisPhotography.com
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Nov 30, 2014
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aestiva Offline
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Registered: Feb 17, 2009 Location: Netherlands Posts: 0
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Review Date: Nov 12, 2014
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Recommend? |
Price paid: Not Indicated
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Pros:
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Sharpness, even on 2.8
Fast AF
Build like a tank
Color and contrast
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Cons:
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Weight
It's expensive but worth the price
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One of the best zoomlenses Canon ever made. It's one of my favourite lenses for details at Hindu and Chinese weddings and some times at receptions.
I also own a 2.0III extender and this lens is even with the extender the sharpnes is amazing! I don't see much difference with the 100-400 L. Almost every outdoor zoomed weddingpicture on my page http://facebook.com/totaalfotografie is made with this piece of art!
Only buy this lens if you need the hole range! Otherwise go for the 100mm 2.8L IS Macro (it's even sharper than the 70-200) of for the 135 2.0 for the bokeh en weight.
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Nov 12, 2014
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caMARYnon Offline
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Registered: Jan 29, 2013 Location: Romania Posts: 36
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Review Date: Nov 2, 2014
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $2,500.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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IQ, IS, AF, BQ, bokeh
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Cons:
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Weight
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Nov 2, 2014
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oldshutterhand Offline
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Registered: Jan 24, 2012 Location: Hungary Posts: 0
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Review Date: Oct 2, 2014
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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This is an extremely sharp lens, with a beautiful bokeh, if you know what you doing there is an incredible potential in this lens to produce beautiful results, very quick autofocus
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Cons:
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high price, huge, and heavy compare to average lenses
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This is simply a fantastic lens, super sharp at 200mm f/2.8. The bokeh is also very pleasing. Together with the versatility you get, there is a huge potential in this lens. Unfortunately very pricey. Perhaps nowadays easier to get used at a more affordable price.
See in more detail the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L is II here:
http://oldshutterhand.com/lens-reviews/canon-full-frame-lenses/canon-70-200mm-f2-8-ii-review/
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Oct 2, 2014
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Soulphoto2014 Offline
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Registered: Sep 3, 2014 Location: N/A Posts: 0
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Review Date: Sep 3, 2014
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $2,100.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Everything
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Cons:
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Price
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Perfect optics, for everything i'll rate it 10/10, only for price i'll give it a 4/10, could be cheaper.
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Sep 3, 2014
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Peter Kotsa Offline
Image Upload: Off

Registered: Nov 1, 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 268
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Review Date: Aug 11, 2014
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Solid and sharp, IS
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Cons:
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$
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The best 70-200 to date. In fact it creates images that are comparable to prime lenses in the same zoom range.
Just brilliant.
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Aug 11, 2014
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datfish Offline
Image Upload: Off

Registered: Mar 1, 2012 Location: Australia Posts: 84
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Review Date: Jul 24, 2014
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Fast, Sharp, Colour ,Slick AF, Creamy Bokeh , Build and IS
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Cons:
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None... OK ! If really picky the weight but what do you expect
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STUNNING....simply Stunning on a crop (7D) or a FF (5D3).
Have used for three years now for sports, events and some portrait work. The go to lens on most occasions has been this beauty.
Just today I sold my 300 F4 that was bought at the same time for "sharp " extra reach but it hardly saw action. (That was a good buy for some one @ $1050)
Instead I have used the 70-200mm with both 1.4X & 2X EXT iii's to get extra reach when needed, and even with a 1.4 this beautiful piece of kit beats the 300mm F4 hands down. With a 2x Ext its probably a dead heat except the 70-200 is longer.
If you are thinking about getting one just take a deep breathe and go for it! You won't be disappointed.
I still retain my 70-200mm F4 IS USM as a lightweight option when weight matters.... but whilst also brilliant , the F4 is not in the same league when it comes to resolution! Few things are !
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Jul 24, 2014
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fotonunta Offline
[ X ]

Registered: Jul 6, 2014 Location: Romania Posts: 6
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Review Date: Jul 6, 2014
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Image quality, build, sharpness and contrast
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Cons:
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price and weight
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Best lens i ever tested! It's fast, sharp and build like a tank - i love it!
Foto Nunta Brasov | Fotograf Nunta | Foto video nunta
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Jul 6, 2014
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tomlamb47 Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Sep 7, 2005 Location: United States Posts: 20
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Review Date: Jun 23, 2014
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $2,299.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Sharp, with fast and accurate focus acquisition. Takes teleconverter very well. Very good build quaility.
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Cons:
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price
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This was part of my initial purchase of Canon equiptment when I swiched from Olympus in May of 2012, and is my most used lens. I wanted a lens to use for both sports, mainly basketball, and wildlife, mostly birds. And I haven't been disappointed. While I expected teleconverters to degrade the performance it is still very good when using the 2X iii for BIF in good light and when using the 1.4x iii I notice no real difference from the bare lens.
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Jun 23, 2014
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Reviews
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Views
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Date of last review
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128
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186077
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Sep 19, 2018
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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95% of reviewers
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$2,314.01
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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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8.55
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9.9
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