Customer reviews from usa.canon.com
Canon - EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for SLR Cameras - Black
Average customer rating
4.9
(54 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 54 reviews
5 Stars
49
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Star
0
100%of customers recommend this product.
(
54 out of
54)
Customer Reviews for Canon - EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for SLR Cameras - Black
Customer Rating
5
This is a real workhorse of a lens
on February 14, 2009
Posted by: Amfoto1
from San Jose, California
I've been using a 70-200/2.8 I.S. for over seven years and it continues to be one of my most frequently used lenses. This alone is high praise coming from an old photographer who seldom used any zoom lenses in years past.
It's extremely well made and I know I can depend upon it for top quality images, one after another. Auto focus is fast, images are sharp, colors rich, and backgrounds are nicely rendered. I'm totally sold on I.S. and appreciate it every time I have to get a shot in difficult lighting situations. I prefer in-lens stabilization, such as Canon provides on this and other I.S. lenses, because I can see it at work in the viewfinder.
I have two minor cons about the lens I have to qualify here. First, it's a hefty piece of equipment. But that's part of what makes it a true workhorse. Still, after a 10 or 12 hour day shooting with it my arm is pretty darned sore! Anyone wanting to use this lens with one of the more compact camera models might consider adding a battery grip to their camera, for better balance with a larger lens like this.
For some reason that's probably unique to me, I tend to switch off AF and IS accidentally with this particular lens. I keep a piece of gaffer tape over the controls. That's not pretty, but it's effective. I haven't heard anyone else say they have this problem and it isn't a problem I have with any other Canon lens I use.
I bought it within a year or two after it was introduced and this lens has been worth every penny to me. I have repeatedly recommended the 70-200/2.8 I.S. to people and have even considered getting a second one myself, to be certain I'm never without it when a job requires it, which is quite often.
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus
Cons: it's hefty!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
My Most Used Lens
on February 13, 2009
Posted by: Sunny
from Ohio
I own a portrait studio but also do quite a bit of location work. I have just about every lens made by Canon from the fish eye (which I also love) 16-35 L, the 24-70 L,the 24-105 L IS, as well as a host of fixed lenses. The only one I am pining for is the 400 L 2.8 IS. But it is too cost prohibitive.
This lens is worth it's weight in gold and since it's purchase, hasn't left my 5D. Now if I want a different lens, which is rare, it will be on a second body.
This lens is a serious shooters dream. It performs well under the worst lighting conditions,and in the hot sun, the white body helps keep it cool ( not to mention get many second looks).
It is as sharp as any lens I have ever shot in 30 years. Sharper. You can split frog hairs with it. The 2.8 depth of field is beautiful for portraits and it is that extra stop you need for that last bit of light where others fail.
The glass maintains it's sharpness continually throughout the zoom, sometimes a concern with a long zoom lens, but not this lens. It remains sharp . The image stabilizer is quiet and quick and more clearly marked then older models. The tripod mount is extremely helpful to hold it steady, especially when you are doing long exposures or shots with the camera vertically mounted. The auto-focus is great , although you do have to pay attention to the objects closet to camera, as with any auto focus.
My only issue is with the weight, and that is just because I am a female and I shot on location with it where it is very difficult to pack around a tripod or mono pod, but it is worth any sore muscles and most definitely worth a pumped bicep or two! Under a 30th or 15th though, you had better be as steady as they come to prevent camera shake, because even as wonderful as the IS is, it is heavy and you can't blame the lens if you aren't properly shooting it. It comes with it's own case, and this lens deserves it. I haven't used anything else in the studio for portraits since purchase, and can't see switching anytime soon. As a professional I know when I buy Canon products I have no worries. And that it a lot to be said these days, but once again they came through with a solid, fantastic product that is a good value for the investment.I highly recommened this lens. It is my all time favorite in 30 years of shooting.
This lens is worth it's weight in gold and since it's purchase, hasn't left my 5D. Now if I want a different lens, which is rare, it will be on a second body.
This lens is a serious shooters dream. It performs well under the worst lighting conditions,and in the hot sun, the white body helps keep it cool ( not to mention get many second looks).
It is as sharp as any lens I have ever shot in 30 years. Sharper. You can split frog hairs with it. The 2.8 depth of field is beautiful for portraits and it is that extra stop you need for that last bit of light where others fail.
The glass maintains it's sharpness continually throughout the zoom, sometimes a concern with a long zoom lens, but not this lens. It remains sharp . The image stabilizer is quiet and quick and more clearly marked then older models. The tripod mount is extremely helpful to hold it steady, especially when you are doing long exposures or shots with the camera vertically mounted. The auto-focus is great , although you do have to pay attention to the objects closet to camera, as with any auto focus.
My only issue is with the weight, and that is just because I am a female and I shot on location with it where it is very difficult to pack around a tripod or mono pod, but it is worth any sore muscles and most definitely worth a pumped bicep or two! Under a 30th or 15th though, you had better be as steady as they come to prevent camera shake, because even as wonderful as the IS is, it is heavy and you can't blame the lens if you aren't properly shooting it. It comes with it's own case, and this lens deserves it. I haven't used anything else in the studio for portraits since purchase, and can't see switching anytime soon. As a professional I know when I buy Canon products I have no worries. And that it a lot to be said these days, but once again they came through with a solid, fantastic product that is a good value for the investment.I highly recommened this lens. It is my all time favorite in 30 years of shooting.
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Not Cheap, but Worth Every Penny!
on November 7, 2008
Posted by: Josh_S
from Knoxville, TN
This lens is just what you'd expect from a high end "L" lens. Built like a tank, very sharp, very fast, and takes wonderful photos. It's not only good as a tele lens, but wonderful for portraits as well with beautifully blurred backgrounds. Colors are very vibrant and low light performance is very good. To me, this is the ultimate Canon lens!
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus, hood collar and case included
Cons: a little on the heavy side
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
My favorite lens
on June 12, 2009
Posted by: TM
from Fort Collins, CO
The 70-200 f/2.8 L IS is, by far, my most frequently used and favorite lens. I've been using it with my EOS 30D for over a year for everything from sports to wildlife to portraits to my kids' school events. Nice zoom range with f/2.8 throughout, enabling gorgeous subject isolation and bokeh. Yes, it is expensive. Yes, it gets a bit heavy after an afternoon of shooting. But the results are worth it -- crisp, sharp photos with a higher keeper rate than I have with any other lens.
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
No regrets
on November 8, 2008
Posted by: BamaPhotoGuy
from Tuscaloosa, AL
I sell cameras for a living. Put simply, this is my favorite telephoto zoom, period. Fast action, low-light, portrait, this lens does it all.
As much as the optics impress me, the Image Stabilization does even more so. It has allowed me to get some shots that I could not have gotten with any other lens.
Another great lens in the L-series lineup.
As much as the optics impress me, the Image Stabilization does even more so. It has allowed me to get some shots that I could not have gotten with any other lens.
Another great lens in the L-series lineup.
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus, very effective image stabilization
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Totally Awesome lents
on April 28, 2010
Posted by: Ivandaboss
from Jackson, MS
This is a totally awesome lens. I am an amateur photographer that takes allot of photos of ballet performances. For those of you that don't know, most ballets are dark and they will not allow flash photography. This is where this lens comes in. I have tried many lenses and spent many hours doing post processing to remove noise and to lighten photos and still end up with not so sharp images. With this lens stopped at 2.8 and shooting about 1/200 with an ISO 400; amazing sharp pictures. I have still yet to own one because of the pricing, until I have enough courage to spend that amount of money on glass, I will just rent. I have also use the NON-IS version, definately not as fine as this one in low light on the tele end. However if you are shooting outside sports the non-IS will save a few bucks and the results are very similar.
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images, fast aperature
Cons: too expensive, heavy
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
The one to have
on June 3, 2009
Posted by: Raj
from Scarborough, Maine
My first 70-200 mm was the f/4 IS AF, it worked great when I used it outside but when I was taking my sons basketball games indoor I had okay results, now with the 70-200 f/2.8 IS AF I am having a blast, shots are super-sharp! That extra f stop realy makes a difference.
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus, perfect amount of light
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Excellent Lens... it really makes a difference
on March 19, 2010
Posted by: LIGA
from Virginia
I am not a professional but I have used SLRs and DSLRs for a few decades - all brands. Further, I had read many reviews and I was skeptical about its performance. It is not a cheap buy and I have had several lenses in the past. None of them made a difference. Therefore, I always asked myself, can a lens actually make me take better pictures.... (I also asked me that question for Golf Clubs)...For this lens, the answer is absolutely YES. By far, the best lens that I have ever used. Further, I do DOEs on everything where I can apply it and with this lens the opportunities for an excellent shot are part of the process instead of exception. Sell all your other lenses (except for the 24-70 F/2.8) and buy this lens. You will re-discover yourself!
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com