Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras |  | Brand: Canon
List Price: $1,999.00
Buy New: $1,665.98
You Save: $333.02 (17%)
New (17) Used (1) from $1,569.95
Rating:  129 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Optical Zoom: 2.9
Maximum Focal Length: 200
Minimum Focal Length: 70
Shipping Weight (lbs): 4
Dimensions (in): 11.3 x 6 x 5.8
Warranty: 1 year warranty
MPN: 7042A002
Model: 7042A002
UPC: 013803005097
EAN: 0013803005097
ASIN: B00006I53X
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | EF mount; telephoto zoom lens | | • | Ultra-low Dispersion glass; image stabilizer; inner focusing; full-time manual focus; circular aperture | | • | 70-200mm focal length | | • | f/2.8 constant maximum aperture | | • | Micro UltraSonic Motor (USM) Includes case and lens hood |
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| Accessories:
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Product Description
Incorporating Canon's second-generation Image Stabilization technology, this 70-200mm telephoto zoom responds in as little as 0.5 seconds while providing up to three stops of correction for camera shake. As a result, you can easily capture the far-off action of fast-paced sports or zoom in for an intimate portrait with a blurred background. The lens's autofocus (AF) system, meanwhile, has been refined for better response time and tracking speed. And photographers will love the new eight-blade circular aperture, which offers a more pleasing out-of-focus image. Constructed to pro standards, the EF 70-200mm lens is highly dust- and moisture-resistant and carries a one-year warranty. - Focal length: 70-200mm
- Maximum aperture: 1:2.8
- Lens construction: 23 elements in 18 groups
- Diagonal angle of view: 34 to 12 degrees
- Focus adjustment: Inner focusing system with USM
- Closest focusing distance: 4.3 feet
- Zoom system: Rotating type
- Filter size: 77mm
- Dimensions: 3.4 inches in diameter, 7.8 inches long
- Weight: 3.24 pounds
Product Description
The Canon USA 7042A002 70mm to 200mm /f2.8 IS USM is an exceptional zoom lens for use with a Canon SLR camera body (35mm or Digital). A unique feature is that this lens incorporates Canon's second generation Image Stabilization technology. Maximum Diameter x Length, Weight - 3.4 x 7.8, 3.24 pounds
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| Customer Reviews: Read 124 more reviews...
Sharp and fast with excellent build quality September 26, 2005
erugifog (Seattle, WA USA)
290 out of 292 found this review helpful
I have owned this lens since February 2005 and have used it exclusively with a Canon 20D. This is the second L-series lens I've bought from Canon (the other being the 24-70mm f/2.8L). Before buying, I researched the different versions of this lens Canon offers (IS, non-IS and non-IS f/4). I looked for every reason 'not' to spend the money on the IS version but ultimately got it anyway. I have never regretted the purchase.
You should know that IS (Image Stabilization) is not a miracle cure for camera shake, but it does give you the equivalent of two or three stops in terms of usable shutter speeds. A motorized gyro inside the lens helps compensate for a modest amount of camera shake. It's powered by the camera's battery. That means if the slowest shutter speed you can shoot handheld without unacceptable blurring is 1/60, you will be able to shoot 1/40 or maybe 1/30 with IS. In some situations, that's the difference between a photo that's a keeper and one you toss. Of course, you can still take blurry photos with IS--as I said, it's not a miracle cure, but there's no question it's a worthwhile feature. This version of Canon's IS can be used with a tripod unlike the older version on some other Canon lenses such as the 100-400mm L, which cannot. It has two modes, one corrects for vertical motion only (for shots where you pan with a moving subject) and another that corrects for both horizontal and vertical motion. Note: IS does NOT compensate for subject motion--the only way to slow subject motion is with a faster shutter speed. IS is purely a feature that helps avoid the blurring caused by the camera moving.
My copy of this lens is very sharp at all focal lengths. Color and contrast are excellent. I really don't have a single complaint about this lens. Some people find the weight objectionable, but it hasn't been an major issue for me. Unless you need to be physically running around to capture your images, or unless you have to hold the lens to your eye for lengthy periods (isn't that what tripods are for?), I don't see that it would be a problem for most average-sized, healthy adults. I often carry my 20D in a shoulder case with this lens, the 24-70mm L and a 580EX Speedlite. Hours of carrying this bag around does require transferring the load from shoulder to shoulder periodically, but it's a price I'm willing to pay to get quality photos.
I own Canon's EF 1.4X II teleconverter and have used it on this lens with great results. The 70-200mm is so sharp to begin with that there's no appreciable loss in sharpness when combined with the 1.4X TC. Reportedly, the results from the 2X TC are not as good, and some find the falloff in sharpness to be too much (not just with this lens, but with any of the telephoto lenses).
This lens is highly recommended. If you can get over the steep entry price, you'll have a high-quality optic built to last for years to come. Of course the non-IS versions can take beautiful photos as well, but having lived with IS now, I've been spoiled.
Fast, sharp and solid with IS to boot January 14, 2004
Sean Harding (Seattle, WA USA)
217 out of 221 found this review helpful
This is the best lens you can get in this zoom range for the Canon EOS. It's not the cheapest and it's not the lightest, but it's the best. This lens is fast, it has excellent optics, the build quality is very solid and the image stabilization (IS) feature works wonders for hand held shooting. If you shoot hand held in marginal light, this is the lens for you. If you always use a tripod, you don't really need IS -- take a look at the less expensive non-IS version of this lens. If you always shoot in good light, the lighter and even less expensive 70-200mm f4.0 may do the job for you. But for me, the extra stop of light and the IS make the difference between unusable images and great images. This is an awesome lens.
The Canon EF 70-200mm IS is an awesome tack sharp lens!, September 30, 2006
L.T. Beasimer (Dallas, TX)
136 out of 140 found this review helpful
I shoot with a Canon 20D and before purchasing this lens, used the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 III USM lens. I've always noticed the limitations of this lens when shooting amateur softball. I reviewed the lens lineup at the Canon website and decided on purchasing the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM Lens. The 100-400mm is a great lens, but it can be a little soft. For that reason I decided to add the Canon EF 70-200mm 2.8/f IS USM telephoto zoom lens to my lens collection.
As an L lens, there are numerous features and is manufactured with high quality materials and a higher level of dust and moisture resistance compared to the standard line of lenses. This pro quality lens is meant for serious photographers with high demands of their equipment. The construction is sturdy and consists of 23 elements in 18 groups. The four Super UD-glass elements largely eliminate the secondary spectrum reducing residual chromatic aberration. An improved 8-blade circular aperture offers a more pleasing out-of-focus image. The Canon EF 70-200mm lens weighs in at about 3.24 lbs/1,470 g, and a minimal focusing distance of 4.3 ft/1.3 m. The front thread accepts 77mm filters, be sure to get a good quality UV haze filter to protect the front lens element. This lens is compatible with the 1.4x II and 2X II telephoto extenders.
Being white, this lens looks out of place, but helps it stay cool when shooting out in the sun. Some people are concerned that being white, it attracts attention to criminals. From my experience, my 20D attracts attention regardless of what lens I put on it. In addition, I most likely have a camera bag and tripod/monopod with me to further attract attention. I personally doubt a thief looking for something to steal is taking the time to evaluate the cost of the item and are more concerned with the ease of taking something they can unload. I try to make things difficult for would be thieves and have my equipment insured as a back up.
The dual IS system has two modes. Mode 1 is for stationary subjects while mode two is for moving subjects. It is recommended that the IS function is not used while using a tripod; however I have successfully used this feature while on my monopod. The IS helps to eliminate camera shake and helps stabilize the lens when shooting from a moving vehicle or in low light situations. While there are limitations to what the IS can do, it can give you a few extra stops. Just keep in mind, the IS attempts to eliminate camera movement, not the movement of the subject being photographed.
This lens permits for auto or manual focus depending on how the switch is set. There is also a switch to shift from a 1.4m/4.6ft to infinity or 2.5m/8.2ft to infinity.
Included with this lens are the tripod mount, lens hood, and storage case. The tripod mount is the best option to use when mounting to a tripod, helping to maintain balance. Mounting the camera instead creates an unbalanced set up that may topple over. The case is a zippered soft case (LZ1324) that can also be purchased separately. The lens hood (ET-86) is used to reduce lens flare and can protect the front element in certain situations. Often times, Amazon recommends purchasing the lens case and hood, however they are normally included with the lens.
The Canon EF 70-200mm is such an awesome lens, it almost fails to compare to the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM telephoto zoom. The EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM telephoto zoom lens is a well used option for me, but the clarity and sharpness of the 70-200mm IS lens is more refined. I doubt the 100-400mm lens will be replaced by this lens as a favorite. I find the push/pull focusing of the 100-400mm lens to be a benefit that the 70-200mm cannot replace. This lens can be used for portraits, landscape, sports or as a general walk about lens. The f/2.8L combined with the IS makes this lens a good option for certain low light situations. The features add creative versatility. The Canon EF 70-200mm IS lens comes at a price, but it is worth every bit of it.
PROS:
Incredible clarity and sharpness
Quiet and quick auto-focus
Features add creative versatility
Dual IS system
CONS:
Heavy and bulky (This should be expected with these types of lenses)
 Excellent lense but having some unsurfaced IS unit problem November 8, 2005
Scott S. (AZ, USA)
71 out of 74 found this review helpful
Well, well, well..
This lense is known to be one of the best Canon lense.
It gives excellent pictures, fast focusing, and is very helpful through excellent Image Stabilizing mechanism.
HOWEVER, with $1700 price tag, any defect/quality control issue should be disclosed to this lense users.
Many lenses with serial number of UT08XX or earlier, there is phenomenon on the lense surface that you can see numerous "bubble" or "milky way". Newer ones do not have this phenomenon. You can see the phenomenon by illuminating a flash light through the front of the lense and looking at the mount part of the lense. If you happened to own this kind of lense, please check yours, and have the IS unit serviced by official Canon service center before the one-year warranty expires.
Wow! An incredible lens in so many ways. October 14, 2005
R. Shaff (USA)
53 out of 54 found this review helpful
I recently moved into the category of "serious impassioned amateur photographer" and, after a healthy dose of research, purchased the Canon 20D D-SLR (see my previous review of the camera and experience with it). As is necessary to all impassioned photographers, the lens selection(s) is tantamount to the best photo, as seen by the photographer's inner eye. As a result, when I decided to purchase the 20D, I wanted the broadest breadth of lens exposure possible in the fewest possible lenses.
In large part, my search came to a rapid halt when I ran across this lens, the Canon EF 70mm-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom lens. While this lens is heavy in terms of weight (approximately 2.9lbs) and price, it is easily the best lens purchase I've made, hands down. I have paired this lens with the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom lens and a 2x telephoto extender, and I am set for most any shoot. I have read reviews regarding quality degradation when shooting with the 2x extender however, I've not experienced that (perhaps it is my inexperience...but my photos don't show it!). The 2x extender has provided me with exposure options from 24mm to 400mm, with the high quality expected from Canon "L" lenses.
A few words about IS (image stabilization)...I love to take shots of the moon. First, to get really great shots, one must have a reasonably telephoto lens (that is, if you want to actually see the cheese). The next issue is simply, how do I keep the moon from looking blurry even though the night is totally clear? The answer is simple: get a tripod or get a Canon lens featuring image stabilization. The IS feature has allowed me to take my best moon shots yet, and yes, the cheese is quite visible and quite clear. IS is a must for those shooting without a tripod.
All told, this lens is incredibly rich in features, handles well for a large telephoto, has a tripod bracket for easy attachment to a tripod, and is pretty much the nuts for those of us not fully versed in photographic knowledge. While not the most inexpensive lens around, the features and product results afforded by this lens is well worth the cost. I'd buy it again without hesitation.
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