30.9.2007

This lens isn’t inexpensive, but especially if you shoot outdoors, this is the ultimate EOS tele zoom lens for under £400.00. Compared to most other EF professional "L" lenses, this is the least costly of all, but its PROFESSIONAL LEVEL PERFORMANCE and CONSTRUCTION are definitely NOT COMPROMISED in any way.In the world of Canon EOS EF mount lenses, there are three levels of quality classifications. The inexpensive models are commonly referred to as “consumer grade”, designed primarily to meet competitive price points. The upgrade models are known as “mid grade” lenses. These can be very respectable in optical performance, but they are not as durable or "high performance" as the real pro gear.The top level is reserved for true working pros,and those who are very dedicated to the art of photography. These are the “L” Series Professional lenses. Most “L” lenses are designed with very effective weather & dust seals and special optical elements to deliver superior performance and the ultimate in rugged reliability. Canon's “L” models all have a bright red ring around the front of the barrel.This telephoto “L” is a great choice for nature lovers, hikers, street photographers, adventurers and especially for the parents of budding sports stars. You really command respect when you whip out your Canon EOS with this big off-white bazooka locked ‘n loaded. You instantly become the “Pro” (whether you actually are or not). It is amazing to watch the crowds at the soccer game part to let “the real photographer” get a little closer to the action. If you prefer to not call any attention to yourself, avoid this lens! Otherwise, be prepared for the envious stares from the guys & gals with the long skinny black lenses.This is a real "rough & tumble" lens, with optics delivered directly from the great glass gods. It will keep functioning properly, even when the rain or snow begins to fall during the last quarter of a game or out on a long nature hike, unlike the consumer and mid-grade lenses.However, there are other reasons to commit to this fairly costly model. The optical resolution, colour richness and contrast are absolutely superb! Chromatic aberrations and lens flare are extremely well controlled. There is almost NO DISTORTION visible through this lens, at any focal length. This is especially true on a smaller frame digital camera because these bodies take advantage of the lenses “sweet spot”, by primarily using the glass near the center portion of the lens. The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM produces incredibly sharp photos time after time, after time, after time...This model is threaded for 67mm filters, not the easiest to find. You may have to buy some relatively expensive filters that will only be usable on this one lens, like I did, but it is definitely worth it. The front element is always stationary, so using a circular polarizer is never a problem. The zoom and focus rings are plenty wide enough, even for the most gorilla-fisted photogs out there, and yet, both rotate as smooth as a well-powdered baby’s behind.There is no doubt that this is a real "L" lens. It is just oozing with that magic "luxury" stuff that makes it such a great optical instrument, as well as a very good investment. Considering how close it is in performance, and the high cost for most "L" models, I can easily call this one a true bargain!Copyright 2006 All rights reserved. ProfAudio1Read full review...

11.7.2013

The only thing to say about this lens is that it is FANTASTIC!! It is by far the sharpest zoom lens I have ever used. I couldn't justify buying the 70-200 2.8 II over this one for a couple of reasons:1) I rarely shoot wider than F4, and if I do then I use prime lenses.2) After renting both the F4 IS and the 2.8 IS II, the F4 IS is sharper wide open at F4 than the 2.8 IS II is at F4.3) The weight difference compared to its bigger brother is so light. I have managed to carry this around all day with no wrist ache at all.4) The IS is on par with the 2.8 IS II.5) Its smaller and more compact.Overall this lens is sharp at every zoom length wide open. I can get pin sharp images at 1/30th of a second with the IS on.

10.6.2010

I love this lens! I bought it for both Landscape work and Portrait shots. This lens is light enough and small enough to fit neatly into a camera bag without becoming some sort of workout when walking with it (unlike the much larger and more expensive f/2.8 versions)It is very sharp, especially given the right amount of light and therefore a faster shutter speed. I have also taken 3 minute long exposures that are razor sharp at f/11-16. F/22 starts to get softer at 200mm, but there isn't any other zoom that I know of that would be any sharper. A camera hood is a good idea with this lens as the front element is quite close to the end of the lens and stray light does easily enter it.

28.4.2010

Have to decide between a f/2.8 IS and this one. While my budget can support either of them, the weight of the f/2.8 seriously discouraged me. Given that I work primarily landscape (not wildlife), telezooms are merely a spare in my bag for any accidental opportunities. Carrying a 1.4kg lens for such purposes is a bit of funny I thought, since the 16-35mm I used primarily is just half its weight.So I went for the f/4 IS, and up to now, there are no regrets I can think of. The image is crisp sharp across frame in FF, AF is almost instant, build quality is unbeatable. The IS ability is much better than expected - any average photographer hand holding 1/15s at 200mm is a piece of cake.The only thing sacrificed is the ability to stop motion.

5.12.2009

This is an absolutely awesome lens which demands respect from everyone with it's white body. You instantly get labelled a 'pro' by most and it does draw a lot of attention, but definitely not in a bad way. The optics on it are excellent and on a crop body like my 30D it is perfect for sport photography such as rugby and I can't wait to take it snowboarding! On a full frame body it can be used as a walkabout lens especially due to it's weight. The f/2.8 70-200mm is twice the weight and you really notice this. The image quality is rated as the same as this lens, but the f/4 is half the price and half the weight with just 1 stop of light lost.It is an excellent portrait lens and shooting wide open gives excellent DoF with a face which is pin sharp.

25.11.2007

This is the baby of the four 70-200mm L lenses that Canon do. It lacks IS, and is F4 so it's not the fastest lens, but it is very good optically.It only weighs 700g (about 1.5 lbs), it comes with the lens hood but not the tripod ring. It takes 67mm filters, and the front doesn't rotate so polarising filters and graduated filters are easy to use.You may find that 200mm is a little short even on a crop body for some sports or wildlife photography, so work out if it's long enough before you buy.It is compatible with both the 1.4x and 2x Canon extenders (only a few Canon L series lenses are), but with the 2x Extender the overall aperture will be F/8, so only the 1D bodies will have working autofocus.List price is over £600,

10.9.2008

I needed a mid range zoom lens. i currently have a canon 24-105mm IS USM and a 100-400mm IS USM. the 100-400mm is a heavyweight lens which cant be dragged around all day. So, i looked at buying a lightweight mid range zoom. The price of the 70-200mm f4 usm did it for me. i am used to IS, but thought i'd give the non IS lens a try out. Build quality is normal L spec, metal bodied. L glass is the best in my opinion. image quality is superb, very sharp even wide open at f4. ideal for sports action in good daylight. This is a great lens if you dont need IS or a fast 2.8 aperture. No complaints here, get a newish one for less than £350. IS will cost you around £300 more. its nice to have IS,

18.10.2007

I bought this lens as a stand in for my f2.8 version that developed a fault (while I got it back after repair), as I needed this zoom range for a shoot. My first reaction was isn't small (in comparison), on using it on my 5D I was amazed at the sharpness right across the frame, even wide open it's as good as the f2.8 is at f4.0. The saving in weight and bulk make this lens ideal when I don't need that extra stop, at the price the lens is superb. One note of caution though, at least with my version, this lens is not weather and dust sealed, check out the instruction book under features, if it doesn't say it; it isn't. That's why I will keep the f2.8 because it is, but if you don't need that feature why pay extra.

16.5.2010

I used this lens in past and after I sold it I missed it very much so I did buy another copy. I use it with canon 5d mk 2 and haven't had any problems with it so far. Sometimes I attached 25mm extension tube to the lens to do some easy close up outdoors with some great results. This lens is capable to use pin sharp images even wide open at f4 aperture. Some Reviewers said even it is much more sharp than f/2.8 version. I haven't made any comparison but images I took with that lens are stunning. I have used similarly priced 70-300mm IS which is another great lens but that one is simply one on the top. I only wish that Canon coud produce lens that would be:100-300 f/4 USM IS L with price under £900.

2.12.2013

The best way I can tell you about the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L IS USM Len's, is Simple, Its like putting on your Specks when you need to read something, It's so clear compared to average lens, PLUS the IS, Two settings, Great when you need to take long ( Full ZOOM) shots and you for- got your Try pod, and when the object is moving! Now if your 70 and as shaky as me, Then this Lens will help you take really good Photos. I was so surprised when I first used these lens, that I seen to use it all the time. I have a Canon 600D Camera that has Canon Zoom EF-S 18-55MM 1:3-5.6 And a CANON ZOOM EF 75-3000 1:4-5.6 II. Would I recommend the CANON EF 70-200 mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens? YES

22.7.2008

If, like me you have lusted after a Canon EF 70-200 f2.8L IS USM lense, but just can't afford it, then this lens is a great starting point.The build quality is as you would expect from a Canon L lens - excellent. For all but the darkest of days it performs fantastically - crystal clear photographs every time.It is a small thing, but the lack of a tripod mount on this lens is the only thing I can criticise it for. Handheld at 200mm really could benefit from the extra support. Fortunately these mounts are to be found on Ebay for a reasonable amount.I am looking forward to many hours of happy photography with this lens mounted on my camera.

30.8.2010

I bought this lens used, for a good price,it came in a couple of days with original box, bag and everything.You have to be careful using this lens the pictures are that sharp you could cut yourself,build quality is L class say no more.The Canon 70-200mm f/4L is so good i taped the three contacts on the left side of a 2x converter the pictures were still pin sharp and the auto focus was still fast.Speaking of which the auto focus is fast,silent and very accurate.As you probably realise ===I LOVE THIS LENS===.(Taping the pins fools the camera into thinking you are shooting with a wider aperture,giving you auto focus with a teleconverter.)

18.9.2011

If you are condidering spending this much on a lens you should have done some research already. Make no mistake, everything they say about this lens is completely true. Most importantly, this is the IS version and personally I wouldn't want the non IS version even at half the price. You can pay almost twice as much for the f2.8 version and quite frankly, I for one cannot see the point. Having tried one out first I can tell you that there is a significant weight difference too. Believe what you read and if you are as lucky as I was in finding a great 2nd hand bargain you will be just as delighted with the impressive results it gives you!

25.8.2008

I have owned many lenses in my time including the Sigma 70-300mm Apo DG lens that retails at about £120.00. Whilst this was a great lens with excellent colour it never felt particularly nice to use as a lens. I have been toying with many lens choices for some time and then I came across this lens at a reasonable price. Having now used it on my canon 5D I love it! It's really sharp and even at F4 the background is nicely blurred for portrait shots and I've even had some really good indoor shots both with & without flash - HANDHELD! If you're looking for a good lens for a good price then this is the one for you!

4.9.2013

Gr8 Lense, good build quality "The image stabilization achieves three shutter speed steps of camera shake correction within 0.5 seconds after the shutter button is depressed halfway and yields correction for up to four full shutter speeds while handheld ..." (Canon's Press Release). Canon's first 4-stop Image Stabilizer makes this lens just as handholdable in low light as the extremely popular 70-200 f/2.8 IS with its 3-stop stabilizer and 1-stop wider aperture. And, you can shoot with this lens hand held at an up-to-4-stop slower shutter speed than with the non-IS Canon 70-200mm f/4 L USM Lens.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM - Reviews

Info

Analysis

Detail