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Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
from Australia on 4/27/2008
Worth every penny. Image stabilisation really makes hand-held possible despite the weight. Sharp, sharp, sharp with great colour.
from Virginia Beach VA on 4/16/2008
This lens is amazing for portraits and other uses it is super sharp crystal clear, the IS feature was worth the extra money and I love the fact that its a f2.8 the only thing i wish is that it could zoom to 300mm but nothing is perfect but this lens comes pretty close.
Images shared by: razorbladekissself portrait taken with this lens
Tags: Made with Product, Using Product
from Springfield, MA on 3/26/2008
This lens is not small/light/cheap, but after all, it is a zoom. I think this may become my favorite zoom. It's fast enough for some motion stopping and also some indoor pictures. It also seems to be proving quite rugged for hiking.
from Jacksonville,Fl. on 3/6/2008
This lens is worth every penny!! Sharp as a tack and the AF works spot on! With the EF 2X Extender II it also makes a awesome long range lens..
from San DIego on 3/6/2008
Good for most uses.
This is one of the best lenses I own. It has done me no wrong since i started to use it and has improved teh quality of many of my pictures. It is an awesome lens. THe weight can be a little much and i wish the range was little better but it is truly a solid lens and this is one of the cheapest prices you will find it at.
from Southeast on 2/19/2008
The 70-200 f/2.8 is the way to go if you need to take sports shots outside or inside in a smaller arena setting. For equine sports, this IS the perfect lens. I have other L-series lenses, but haven't put them back on my camera for sports shots. The combination of this lens and the Mark III makes for an unbeatable pair!
from Orlando, Fl on 2/6/2008
Bought this as a replacement for my 70-200mm F/4 non-IS. This is a much heavier lens which I think actually balances the camera better in my hand, plus it stays still moreso, however it may become a burden for some on long shoots. Lens takes great pictures, color rendition is good, AF is fast though sometimes even on static subjects the focus is off by a little bit (learn to manually focus), most of the time its tack sharp. The zoom ring doesn't have the same rotating resistance throughout the range, but that may come with time breaking it in. The IS on this lens is great!(much better in my opinion than the 17-85 f4.5-5.6 IS) though I'm finding its counter productive on certain shots. Bokeh is so-so even at f/2.8, not on par with the 100mm f/2.8, so its not the best macro lens, but very handy zoom range for decent portraits. I use this lens for just about every type of shot so overall I have to say its exceptionally versatile. Hope that helps, though I'm sure I haven't said anything that hasn't already been said.
from Caparica, Portugal on 1/22/2008
I use it for water sports and it's very iluminated and sharp. It's a pitty being so heavy cose sometines you lose a picture cose you're taking to long to get it ready.
from Chicago, Illinois on 1/21/2008
I bought this lens so I could upgrade my wedding gear.I'm currently using the 40d with the battery grip (highly recommended for anyone who ever does portrait orientation, it's worlds easier). I also use the Canon 17-55 2.8 IS as my walk around general photography lens, and I pop on this other guy for portraits, action shots, that sorta stuff.The images look fantastic.If you are looking for a 70-200 L, look no further. Don't buy the f4, it may be cheaper, but you lose the ability to do indoor shots with your camera. And with the photography that I do and the climate I live in, most of my pictures are indoors. The IS works like a charm. When you're zoomed all the way in at 200mm, your hands will definitely be shaking and it will be hard to take a clearer picture. No matter how fast your shutter speed is, you will still get camera shake. IS counter acts this and makes your pictures come out clear. It's worth it. In my opinion, if you're gonna buy something, buy the best. This is the best.[...]
from Columbia, MO on 1/21/2008
Even with IS a good tripod is vital for tele shots. This lens has performed with fast and accurate AF and the image quality is the best I've seen on a 70-200 zoom. I'm very happy to have this quality glass in my toolbox.
from Chicago and Phoenix on 11/21/2007
Fantastic overall zoom. The optics are the best ever for a zoom lens. I just can't say enough about the high quality of this lens. It is worth every penny.
I've used this lens for just about every type of shot you can think of. I've done macro, astronomy, sports, portraits, etc... and it has created sensational shots for every shoot. Give this to a 5 year old and just let them shoot 20 shots on a tripod and you'll have a photo worthy of a magazine cover! I'm a newbie (got my gear in March) and I've already been published in 3 magazines using shots from this lens on my Canon Rebel XTi - yeah, it is that good! Unfortunately I dropped my lens four feet onto concrete after my backpack accidently came open while in China shooting the Chinese Grand Prix (for vacation and hobby - not work) but it only suffered minor damage -[$] to repair via Canon and the warranty is still in tact. My only complaints is that it isn't as sharp as the 100-400 and it is heavy as hell, but it is worth every penny. If you don't need a 2.8 and can settle for a 4.0 then the 4.0 IS is a better value, has a better IS and is MUCH sharper. I use the 2.x extender for F1 shooting and it works great (see the attached F1 shot taken about 100+ meters away and about 10 meters high in the stands (Section B1 at Shanghai Circuit of a car on Turn 3 w/ 2x extender)
I shoot a lot of college sports. This is my short range lens or back up lens. This lens is consistently fast focus and clear.
from Tucson, AZ on 10/10/2007
I love this lens. It's definitely heavy but with the image stabilizer you can shoot at slow speeds and get glass-sharp images. The 2.8 f-stop really helps, too.
from Sacramento, CA on 10/1/2007
This lens has exceeded all expectations. It is very fact and incredibly accurate. The Image Stabilization cannot be praised enough, it really does give you at least >2 stops in low-light usage with amazing results. Sure, it's heavy, but definitely worth the weight when you see the consistent quality of your shots. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
from GSO, NC on 9/27/2007
I questioned the additional cost to have an F2.8 lens with IS. I thought it was a waste, until those low light conditions came my way and I was able to stay at a lower ISO and still get great blur free shots. I am so pleased with this lens all around, and in terms of weight get over it and buy a gym membership. I can easily carry this lens all day at a race with no problems. Bodies will come and go but this lens will be in my kit for years and years to come.
from Overland Park, KS on 9/26/2007
If you're already spending big bucks on a purchase this size, spend a little extra and get the best there is!
Just as everyone else has said the lens is a little on the weighty side but by no means a reason not to make the purchase--and with a focal length of 200mm you really ought to look at a tripod/monopod to stabilize shots anyways. The IS and f/2.8 really depend on what you think your needs will be, but this lens turns out crisp pictures time and time again. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat, period.
from Ramsey, MN on 9/26/2007
Much sharper than my 17-85 and 70-300
from Hollister, CA on 9/26/2007
I just got this lens to use with my 350D and I am absolutely thrilled with it. After doing a lot of research on it, I could see that the only two "cons" of this lens were the price and the weight. After only one weekend of shooting with this lens, I can say that neither of those issues bother me anymore. While it is a tad on the heavy side at about 3 1/2 pounds, the quality of images that it produces far outweighs the weight. It focuses quickly and quietly and the IS is amazing to work with. This is my first IS lens (and L lens) and it is amazing to see in action. If you're on the fence about spending the money on this lens, go for it! It has opened up a lot of creativity for me.
from West Central Ohio on 9/26/2007
I bought this for shooting High School Football and it has been an excellent purchase.
from sydney on 9/26/2007
if you only liked primes it would be play on your mind not to consider this one as well
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Victoria, Texas on 9/26/2007
I'm a retired chief photographer/photojournalist. My newspaper exclusively used Canon equipment, but I retired before all the stabilized stuff came on the market. This lens works as advertised. I've seen many comments on the weight of this lens. Great glass and sturdy construction make it a little heavy, but the photos you'll get are worth it.
With my Canon D30 body and it's 1.6 FOV this lens turns into a 112mm-320mm and with the 1.4 converter a F/4 156mm-448mm zoom. I would have loved to have had this lens to shoot high school sports with. Try hauling around a 300 or 400 F/2.8 lens and you'll understand what heavy is. The IS feature is icing on the cake, hand held sharp photos without a bi-pod.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
Bought the lens not knowing anything about photography. A knowledgeable friend recommended it to me. At first I thought he hated me because of the price. It turns out he really is a friend. Absolutely love the lens. I use it for everything from wildlife to HS football games.
from Portland, OR on 7/10/2007
It's heavy but I like it. Because it's 2.8!!
from Houston Texas on 7/10/2007
Wow! Pictures are crystal clear. I guess the appropriate term is "tack sharp". It's built like a tank and what you expect for the price you pay. I have not had the opportunity to use the IS on this lens, but I am a big fan of IS.P.S. [...]
from Boston, MA on 7/10/2007
This is the lens that you need. I do admit that I have not used the F4 IS version, it might be just as good, but do get the IS version of the lens of you ever plan on shooting anything hand held.. Bottom line - If you are buying a quality lens, that costs this much then go for the quality output that will set your photos apart from all the others who are holding a camera and snapping pictures.
from Vancouver, Wa. on 7/10/2007
This was a big investment but well worth it. This lense is so sharp. I still believe that the lense doesn't make the photographer, but it sure is nice to have the very best equipment. The 70-200 L is is the very best in it's class.
from Augusta, GA on 7/10/2007
This lens is everything everyone says it is. Awesome tack sharp quality, super fast focus, and the IS is totally awesome.
from South Florida on 5/17/2007
What else can you say that the other 50+ people havent praising this lens ??
First use was at an airshow. Combined with 1.4x teleconverter, and using "panning" stabilizer mode, got some incredible photos with my EOS 5D. Photos shown were cropped quite a bit as my 5D is full frame w/no conversion limiting my focal length to 280mm. Even cropped, image quality is great as you can see.
Surely not an everyday carry around lens but im sure if your reading this review, your aware of that.
The lens hood and carrying case thrown in by Canon are a plus. Carrying case actually rivals some high quality aftermarket ones.
from Marysville, Wa on 5/14/2007
we needed a lens that was very fast, in focusing and in low light, and this lens definitely fits the bill. this lens has forced me to consider upgrading all of my lenses to L-series lenses.
from Albuquerque, NM on 5/10/2007
This lens delivers consistent quality photographs. The photographic quality of this lens is parallel to that of a prime lens. The lens is weather sealed, and ideal for rugged use. This lens will not let you down. This lens is heavy, and if you are not use to a heavy lens, it will take sometime to get use to it.
from near Atlanta, GA on 5/8/2007
Great, great! Save your nickels and get one.
from south jersey on 5/8/2007
I do wedding photography primarily and this lens is perfect for candids! Great low light no flash shots at the ceremony. F2.8 with IS makes SUCH a difference. Focuses very fast and the image quality is awesome. Its L series what else would you expect. Is it heavy? Slightly but you get used to it and will definitely appreciate the pictures you can get.
from Ft. Lauderdale, FL on 5/8/2007
A sharp, fast lens which comes to the rescue in low light. the IS works well and practically gives 2+ stops of exposure.
This is a serious lens, and I use it all the time. If your weak, get the f4 IS version because this lens weighs a bit. I have taken a lot of low light images, (dark rooms & overcast days) without flash and have been VERY please. Something I was not quite able to do with my f4 version of this lens. I also use this with both a 1.4xTC & 2.0xTC and again find it actually shaper with the 1.4tc and very good with the 2.0xTC.
from Roseville, MN on 3/26/2007
I've been borrowing one of these for the past couple of years (thanks, bro!) and have been very pleased with it for birds and candid portraits. I use it with the Canon 2x II extender for birds and have gotten a number of outstanding shots. If I'm outdoors, this is the lens on my camera.
from Santa Clara on 3/1/2007
This is a truly awesome lens. Very sharp. Very fast. Excellent construction. I've owned this lens for over three years and never had a problem. Used it on Rebel, 20D and 30D and soon 1D Mk III.
[4 of 4 customers found this review helpful]
I bought this lens in May of 2006, and it immediately became my "always-on" lens. It's great for candids and portraits, compressing and isolating your subject with a beautifully blurred background. The images you get directly out of the camera are awesome. This lens produces great contrast and color, requiring less post-processing.A friend and I were hiking along side a waterfall/river and he had my lens in his backpack. He slipped on a rock and fell into the river. Luckily the lens didn't get wet, but it definitely felt some sort of impact from the fall, but it made it through with absolutely no problems. This beast of a lens is strong.The lens is pretty heavy, which can be a good or bad thing. I personally like the weight, it keeps my strap from moving on my shoulder. If you're going to be walking around a lot, you better be sure you are going to need this lens. I've taken it with me and left it in my bag, and it definitely weighs you down.The image stabilizer does exactly what it's supposed to. For static objects, mode 1 works like a charm. Mode 2 is for stabilization while panning with a moving object, like a car, or anything moving from one side to another. Mode 2 only enables vertical stabilization, allowing you to pan with your subject without the lens freaking out (if you are in mode 1, the lens will "snap" back and forth, trying to reduce horizontal movement). If you know which mode to use, and when to turn it off completely, you will get awesome results (stabilization doesn't work well with subjects that move around too much, it can actually make your shots blur sometimes).This lens is 2.8 all the time, at any focal length, which is rad. At 2.8, the depth of field is very shallow, so if sharpness is critical for your assignment, you probably want to shoot at 4 or smaller. This lens rocks with low light, i've taken shots at 2.8, 200mm, 1/15th and it is totally sharp. That's where the IS saves the day.Overall, I give this lens a 9/10. The lost point is for the shifty IS under certain circumstances, the weight, and the price (I got mine for [...]). Every pro should own this lens. There's no excuse not to.
from mission viejo, ca on 2/20/2007
This is a great lens for versatility when taking portraits or for sports where you can get reasonably close to the action. Due to it's size and weight, however, I seldom travel with it.
from Saginaw Michigan on 2/13/2007
This is great lens for low lights photography.
from North Georgia on 2/13/2007
Pricey and heavy but I don't know how I made without it. I shoot weddings as a side line and during the ceremony most of the time there's just not enought light and I hate distracting with a flash. The large f2.8 aperature coupled with image stabalization really helps getting those once in a lifetime candids in such a situation and for the most part, shots turn out sharp enough to be very acceptable. I use it a lot for outdoor portrait work as well. Stopping down to about 3.5 gives a beautifuly soft background free of distractions and when you just don't have the light and want to shoot at a high f stop for depth of field, the stabalization works wonders for slower shutter speeds. The picture quality will simply blow you away.
I liked the image stabalization feature so well that I bought Canon's IS 2.8 24-50 lens. Though it's not an "L" series, pictures are really great.
I'd say buy this lens if you can afford it and want to shoot great, clear images in low light. Just be aware that its heaviness gets a little tiresome.
from Seattle, WA on 2/13/2007
One of the sharpest, most beautiful lenses I own.
from Seattle WA on 2/13/2007
Outstanding lens for what it's for. It's heavy, it's too showy (not much to be done about that but there are times when it's just too big and white!) and it's not easy on the wallet. On the other hand, I can point to a thousand photos I simply could not have made without it. The image stabilization is superb, the optics almost flawless and it seems to be built like a tank.
from Las Vegas, NV on 2/13/2007
Appreciate the lens case and hood.
from Bogotá - Colombia on 2/12/2007
Is a great lens for all works. With the 5D have excellent pictures. [...]
from Columbus, Ohio on 2/12/2007
Love it, if you can afford it you should buy this!!!!
from Boise, ID. on 2/12/2007
I held off buying this lens due to price and the limited zoom range. I tried a Sigma 50-500 first. I should have spent the money on the Canon instead. Even with a 1.4x extender this lens is faster and sharper than the Sigma and the AF is extremely fast and accurate. If you're after wildlife this is a great lens to have in your basic lineup.
from Charlotte, NC on 2/12/2007
Great lens, especially for bokah at 2.8. While it is heavy, this is necessary for a quality lens. My only critique is the location of the auto focus - manual switch on the lens, which is easily bumped with your left hand. That said, I rely on this to give good separtion of subject from background for images that "pop." Combined with my 24-70 2.8, this covers most needs.
from Ohio on 2/12/2007
I use it for portraits, trips. Took it to Ireland, China, and HK. A little heavy but never regreted that extra weight.
from Milford, Ct on 2/12/2007
Great Lens, it is really worth the $$$. Great for indoor sports like basketball where the 2.8 is needed. I love this lens, don't tell your wife how much you paid for it! ;o)
from Merrimack, NH on 2/12/2007
I've used it indoors in poor lighting situations where I needed the reach of this lens. I've used it outdoors to photograph a subject from a distance and still blur the background! I've used it with the 1.4x extender at outdoor sporting events and with the macro lens for macro photography. This is an overall excellent lens. Picture quality is superb from 70mm - 200mm. The IS is a necessity with this lens, I think, and it works well. My only complaint is that the lens is a beast, and you will not be inconspicuous when you point it at someone. However, people often assume I'm a professional photographer and are very receptive to getting their picture taken. I'll often put this lens in my "day trip" bag with the 24-70mm f2.8L with the 1.4x extender and the 580EX flash, and I feel like I'm ready for just about anything.
from Circle Pines, MN on 2/12/2007
If I could have only one lens, this would be it.
from Pittsburgh, PA on 2/12/2007
Worth every penny, Unbelievably sharp. IS permits hand holding down to 1/30 with exception results. Spend extra money for IS and f2.8, you will not regret. This lens is one of my favorite lens for tight shots. Highly recommend.
from Dawsonville, GA on 2/12/2007
This lens is a great addition to anyone's camera bag. It is fast and precise and the controls are much better than an earlier model 100-400mm L zoom I own. It's a very good midrange zoom and works well with a variety of subjects from flowers to large landscapes.
from Antioch, Ca on 2/12/2007
Other than the weight and the long minimum focus length of 4 feet, this lens is almost perfect.
from Tenneessee on 2/12/2007
The color. The clarity. A rock steady capture that is razor sharp at any aperture. This is the best zoom lens for your Canon period. The 70-200 encompassses a range that is suitable from portraiture to short range birding. The f2.8 with IS means you can take that shot in the light available. I've used this lens with great success at weddings where it enables me to be unobtrusive yet take a viewpoint that puts me right in the middle. It is always in my bag no matter what kind of shooting I'm out for. It's that good.
from Denver, CO on 2/12/2007
This is a great all around lens. With my camera EOS 20D and my old EOS10D I did not always like the 200mm shots in AF mode. However this was much better when using manual focus only at 200mm. The lens never gave me a problem and it is used in the field my usual subjects were trains. I also used the lens with a Canon 2x converter with the same fantastic results.
from Bay Area Ca. on 2/12/2007
I was reluctant to purchase this lens because of the price. I always seen professionals and Enthusiasts with this lens in there bag and need some fast glass for some sporting events I was shooting. As soon as I took it out of the box you could feel that the lens was solid and built to last. It wasn’t as heavy as I people make it out to be. I am able to use this lens all day hand held with out a tripod and not be sore at the end of the day. It feels well balanced on my 30D and the sharpness is up there with Prime lenses. The Bokeh is creamy and the colors are wonderful. The USM is smooth and silent. The “IS” is quick and responsive. One of Canons best lenses. After using it a few times the money I spent on it was well worth it. If you’re a sports fan, or a photo journalist this is a must have in your camera bag.
from Kokomo, IN on 2/12/2007
It has been a great addition to my camera gear. I use it for capturing images of my kids playing sports. It lets you get great photos, but you will need a monopod because it is a bit heavy and can be a handful at times.
from Tampa, FL on 2/12/2007
This is the workhorse of my collection. I shoot paintball for a mag and this is the perfect lens to get the job done. It seems a little heavy at first, but after hauling a 300 2.8 around, this is a piece of cake. If you are looking to get your first "L" zoom, you just found it. This thing has been in the rain and shot up with paintballs and it's still SWEET!
from Holly, MI on 2/12/2007
Bought this lens specifically for use on an African safari. Used it alone as well as frequently with a 2x multiplier. In both instances the results were excellent. I found the clarity in low