| Review

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As Good As It Gets., Wednesday, 24 December 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		4.5
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		4.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		4.0

I've been using this lens on my Canon 40D for about a week now, as my #2 shooting lens for general work walking about town when I need to reach out a bit farther than usual (my #1 lens is a 24-70mm f/2.8L USM). I've used it for architectural detail shooting, some portrait work, some entertainment-subject shooting in low-light conditions, even some quasi-macro shooting. This is easily the best long EOS lens on the market, and at Amazon's prices, it's one of the best bargains in photography.

The glass is perfect, the IS and USM mechanical works are super-fast and silent. And it's absolutely astounding how the image-stabilization voodoo can allow me to hand-hold shots in moderate light that before would have had be running for my tripod. And that cavern of an aperature lets in an *enormous* amount of light.

Add the 2x extender and you have a 400mm to 640mm f/5.6 image-stabilized supertele lens, screw in the 500D close-up diopter and you have the next best thing to a dedicated 70-200mm macro-zoom. Quite the versatile lens...

About the only thing that may queer the deal for some shooters is that the IS works will draw more juice from your camera battery than you may expect; I wound up using a BG-E2N grip with two 511A batteries whenever I'm using this lens, just for safety's sake. But OTOH it gives me a better grip to control the lens by; it certainly is a bit on the heavy side, at just under 3-1/2 lbs.

Also, you really do have to keep tabs on your depth of field when shooting this lens wide-open to keep your subject in proper focus; the DoF at f/2.8 is razor-thin! But that's what wide-open aperatures do

All things considered, though, I couldn't recommend this lens highly enough.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

First Biggie, Friday, 19 December 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		4.0
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		4.0
AF Speed		4.0
Value for Money		3.0

This the first 'big' lens I've purchased in my 8 years of learning to get good photographs of subjects I enjoy. It seems to fulfill the need to have the ability to capture subjects well at a distance. I bought it to help get good shots of softball players. Since I play on a team, I am able to be on the field during play consequently wish I'd purchased Canon's Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Lens instead. This lens (24-70) would have given me that little bit more distance ability than the f/2.8 17-55 mm I normally use. Looking at the photo's metadata taken with the 70-200 mm lens I find most interesting, I see where 95% are taken at 70 mm. I need to say that only about 300 images have been captured with the 70-200 mm, I'm sure as time passes I should be able to learn to use it much better. (For what ever it's worth - most photos taken with the 17-55 mm lens mounted on a Canon 40D were taken at the 40-50 mm settings. The reason for four instead of five stars is mostly the weight.)

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Fast, Sharp, Well-built L Lens, Saturday, 13 December 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		4.8
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		4.0

There are plenty of good reviews so this one will be a short summary:

Pros:
- Sharp images accross zoom range
- Effective image stabilization
- Fast, precise USM autofocus
- Built tough with moisture and dust seal

Cons:
- A little heavy but considering lens size this is minor
- A little on the pricey side

Other:
- Comes with hood and soft storage case
- Overkill for student/student like myself

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Fast, Sharp, Well-built L Lens, Saturday, 13 December 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		5.0
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

There are plenty of good reviews so this one will be a short summary:

Pros:
- Sharp images accross zoom range
- Effective image stabilization
- Fast, precise USM autofocus
- Built tough with moisture and dust seal

Cons:
- A little heavy but considering lens size this is minor
- A little on the pricey side

Other:
- Comes with hood and soft storage case
- Overkill for student/amateur like myself

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Great in Low Light, Friday, 28 November 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		4.5
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		4.0
AF Speed		4.0
Value for Money		5.0

This is my work horse lens in low light. It is amazing no matter which camera body I stick it on (20D, 30D or 5D) and is super sharp. One of my favorites.

It is heavy but so worth it. :)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Simply, a great piece of equipment!, Monday, 17 November 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		5.0
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

Having been a photographer by hobby for 20+ years, I have to say that this is by far the best glass that I have ever shot with. To be succinct, if you are at least a "prosumer" Canon shooter, you shouldn't be without this lens. It has been versatile enough for me to shoot everything from a deceased soldier's burial to youth sports without being a disrupting influence. I've used it to shoot airshows (static displays) and news events. It is simply a must have for the Canon-carrying photojournalist.

The mechanics of this "L" lens are solid and the focus is sharp and fast. It may be a little heavy for some but I've gotten used to it. It is an investment that will pay for itself many times over if you take the time to learn it and how to use it.

If your wallet can bear it, then I say go for it. You won't regret it.

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Favorite lens, Sunday, 09 November 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		4.8
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		4.0

I have nothing negative to say...this is a winner!....
a must have, dont bother thinking, just buy this lens
and enjoy....also get the 2x zoom attachment so you can be in bliss.

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It's been said, Thursday, 06 November 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		5.0
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

I have nothing to add. The lens is everything for which one could wish. Simply superb. Rather than reiterate what everyone else has said, I thought I'd just quietly put in my 5 stars.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

I can't believe it!, Tuesday, 28 October 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		4.8
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		4.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

Wow, I have been spending way too much time reading and reviewing this lens, seriously, just get it. My lens had a code of UW####, which means it was made in September of 2008, so new!

I just tested it real quick, and it seems to focus very well at all focal lengths, quiet, and focus fast! This is my first L lens, and I am so excited! This lens is definitely worth every penny. Yes, everyone says that, but really, it is. Get it now!

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Get it if you can afford it and aren't scared of w, Saturday, 25 October 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		4.5
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		4.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		4.0

I had the 70-200 F4 L for a few years (non IS), which is an excellent lens, and a bargain "L" but I sold it to upgrade to either the 2.8 IS or the 4.0 IS. Both are great lenses, but I bit the bullet and went 2.8 IS, knowing the lens is a beast, but also knowing I'd carry almost anything if it was the right tool. For those who are trying to make this decision, all I can say is that after the first 100 shots, I'm hooked on this lens. Faster, better focus than my copy of the 4.0, which was no slouch. INCREDIBLE bokeh, and ability to handhold shots that would be blurry without IS.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Love this lens!!, Monday, 20 October 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		5.0
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

I am so happy I bought this lens. It is sharp and produces beautiful images. Allowed me to capture wedding images I would not have been able to before.

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simply amazing!, Tuesday, 14 October 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		5.0
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

i purchased this lens by reading other reviews and going off of a gut feeling. This lens is just amazing. fast quiet auto focus. super sharp. amazing glass. i highly recommend also purchasing the canon 1.4 extender with this lens.

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EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens, Thursday, 09 October 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		5.0
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

What can I say that hasn't already been said about this lens? Absolutely wonderful. Fast accurate focusing for sports. Tremendously wide aperture. Crisp images. Great bokeh. Expensive, but well worth it.

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Caon 70-200 IS, Wednesday, 08 October 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		4.5
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		4.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		4.0

Pros Best lens I have bought yet.
Cons Heavy and Price

I can not have not say enough good things about this lens. I use it for sports and outdoor shots. Well worth the money

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Exceptional Lens, Saturday, 04 October 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		4.5
Sharpness		4.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		4.0

This is one of the most versatile high quality lenses around. For the hobbyist, this will suffice as your number one lens for portraits and medium distance telephoto shots. It's a fast lens with exceptional quality glass.
This lens, along with the EF 14-35mm f/2.8L USM and the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM is all a serious hobbyist-photographer needs as basic gear. Ok, it's expensive; but so is quality. If you're a designer and not a pure photographer, then don't waste money on high quality glass. A high end point and shoot will do. Photoshop/Painter skills is where you should invest.

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