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Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens

Model number: 7042A002 | SKU: 7603747

With Canon's IS (Image Stabilization) technology, this telephoto zoom lens provides correction for camera shake, so your photos will come out clear and crisp.

Average Customer Rating:

5.0 out of 5 (12 Reviews)

12 of 12 (100%) customers would recommend this product to a friend.

Customer Reviews for Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens

Review 1 for Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens

Customer Rating

5.0 5

Great Lens 11/05/2009
By GDawgfan from Georgia

Value for Price

4.0 5

Image Quality

5.0 5

Ease of Use

5.0 5

Durability

5.0 5

What's great about it: Excellent lens for low light shooting
What's not so great: Kind of heavy, but not to bad

"I purchased this lens for shooting sports , it works great indoors at events like volleyball, basketball exc.. anywhere you can't use a flash , as long as there is some light on the subject you are shooting , you will get great results without flash. the lens is a bit pricey but I think you would be happy with the results and the image stabilizer helps when you are trying to stedy your shot. focus is fast for a lens this size. over all I am very pleased with this lens."

Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes

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Review 2 for Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens

Customer Rating

5.0 5

Great event lens! 02/23/2009
By sggladden from MO

Value for Price

4.0 5

Image Quality

5.0 5

Ease of Use

3.0 5

Durability

5.0 5

What's great about it: f/2.8 across the full range of zoom allowing tow or three times the amount of light for faster low light shooting.
What's not so great: Heavy!!!

"The 70-200mm range is a great for general purpose photography and allows you to pull subjects in close without having to intrude and having the ability to shoot faster shutter speeds is great when shooting indoors with available light. My primary use of this lens is capturing candid portraiture and it works like a charm providing crisp clean images with accurate color. This lens would be serviceable for shooting sports pending being able to be in a close enough position... I think a 400mm would need to be used in tandem to cover events played on a large field like football. This lens can be handheld for short periods of time due to it's weight but the included lens collar is there for a reason and I would suggest the use of a monpod.

This isn't a lens for the casual photographer as the larger aperture adds to the bulk and price and much care must be taken when focusing this lens wide open... I find the autofocus problematic with the shallow depth of field this camera has when open wide (I suspect the 1 series bodies are a little better but still care must be taken). The manual focus override is a great feature and allows artistic control while taking advantage of the quick autofocus.

I m very satisfied with the quality of images from this lens across the range of zoom and apertures. It's not quite as good as a prime lens but it's close enough that I think the benefit of the zoom far outweighs any the small loss in quality. The time saved not changing lenses or cameras often is the difference between getting the shot or not during an event."

Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Review 3 for Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens

Top 250 Contributor

Customer Rating

5.0 5

Sharp and fast with excellent build quality .. 10/27/2008
By GreatAchilles

Value for Price

4.0 5

Image Quality

5.0 5

Ease of Use

4.0 5

Durability

5.0 5

"I have owned this lens since February 2005 and have used it exclusively with a Canon 20D. 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 hand held 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."

Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes

2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Review 4 for Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens

Customer Rating

5.0 5

Great Big Lens scores A++++ 10/15/2008
By ziggyangel23 from Bethlehem, NC

Value for Price

5.0 5

Image Quality

5.0 5

Ease of Use

5.0 5

Durability

5.0 5

What's great about it: Super fast, Sharp as a Tack
What's not so great: Expensive, Heavy

"I originally purchased 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. When I purchased the lens I really gave the 70-200mm f/2.8 much thought; however, price was the deciding factor. Well - you get what you pay for. The 70-300 f/4-5.6 CANNOT compare don't even waste your money trying. Save your money and buy the "white" lens. My purpose was sports photography for my son but much to my surprise this lens is FABULOUS for close up shots. Yes, this lens is heavy. Purchase a monopod - don't leave home without it - the lens or the monopod. And yes, you will be noticed with this lens. Go about your photography and don't give it a second thought. I love this lens. Paired with the Canon 40d - you can't go wrong. Super fast focus, Super sharp photos, Super, Super, Super. Save your money and purchase this lens. Do not waste your time, money or gas on anything less. And remember - you only get what you pay for."

Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Review 5 for Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens

Customer Rating

5.0 5

Fantastic Lens 09/08/2008
By Anonymous from 1038 - Flower Mound Best Buy

Value for Price

5.0 5

Image Quality

5.0 5

Ease of Use

5.0 5

Durability

5.0 5

What's great about it: Fast focusing, excellent boca, great for photojournalists, great built, great concert/sports lens/portait lens
What's not so great: Heavy - noticeable in public places

"This is one of the greatest lenses I've ever owned. The focusing is fast and sharp. Combined with AI Servo and 3+ frames per second, this is the gem of all lenses.

Highly recommended."

Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Review 6 for Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens

Customer Rating

5.0 5

You get what you pay for in this great product 08/18/2008
By Discojon from SC

What's great about it: Great pictures and easy to use
What's not so great: Heavy and expensive

"I'm just getting started in photography and bought this lens on the basis of some recommendations I saw on a forum and from online reviews. When the camera arrived, the first thing I noticed was the weight. Its heavy... very heavy. The good news is that it comes with a mounting bracket for a tripod.

The pictures it takes are crystal clear. I have it paired with a Canon Rebel XSi and have taken about 200 images with it. Its a very fast lens and at f/2.8 it can handle low light quite well."

Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes

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Review 7 for Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens

Customer Rating

5.0 5

Expensive but worth every penny 07/26/2008
By AeroEight from Los Angeles, CA

What's great about it: F/2.8, Fast Focus, lens tripod mount included
What's not so great: expensive. heavy, attracts attention

"This is a great lens, it locks on focus fast, the IS is great easily 3-4 stops worth off IS and keeps the percentage of keepers up. By far not a light lens, its heavy, and people will notice you. My copy actually front focuses slightly, but a quick trip to the Canon Service Center fixes that. Make sure you add a decent filter on the front, or the camera will only be as good as the filter, I'm almost certain that this will out-resolve what the sensor can see. Buy it and you won't be disappointed."

Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Review 8 for Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens

Customer Rating

5.0 5

The best lens ever!!! 06/28/2008
By ryans2009

What's great about it: Everything
What's not so great: Nothing

"This lens is the best lens I have ever used, it is great for just about any kind of photography: Sports, Low Light and sometimes Portraits. I would definitely recommend this lens to anybody, sure it's expensive but it's certainly worth it."

Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes

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Review 9 for Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens

Customer Rating

5.0 5

An Incredible Purchase 06/26/2008
By sportsmom1 from Ventura, Ca

What's great about it: Perfect for Indoor Gyms-Sports/Perfect for Graduation
What's not so great: Kind of heavy

"Like the other reviewer's said!, stop wasting money, this lens is incredible if you want perfect clear action or still shots of your subject in a gym. I recently used it for my nephew's graduation, the close up's I got of him on stage and walking back to his seat are unbelievable. I can not wait to use it next year for my own daughters graduation. Your kids are only young once, get those perfect clear action shots of them inside a gym, you will not be sorry, believe me I am no professional by any means, just an average mom taking pictures and this lens was recommended by a friend, I am so glad I listened to her. Do not hesitate, you can only get some candid moments once."

Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Review 10 for Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens

Customer Rating

5.0 5

Legendary Canon Zoom 04/20/2008
By Anonymous from Troy, MI

What's great about it: Sharpness at all apertures, build quality, bokeh, contrast, color.. unbelievable!
What's not so great: None

"This is the Canon zoom lens to end them all! I've owned mine for about 4 months now and it's absolutely incredible. I used to own the EF 70-200mm f/4L USM and upgraded to this one. The huge draw is the constant f/2.8 aperture with IS. This makes it so versatile for portraits, action, candids, and night shooting. The bokeh (background softness when shooting with a shallow depth of field) is so buttery and smooth and it makes photos look grade A professional.
Focus is lightning fast. Perfect for action shooting and candids that require no camera/lens hesitation.
Build quality is just outstanding. Weather sealed magnesium alloy body. I have buddies who have accidentally rolled theirs down a flight of stairs and the lens still works like new. Try doing that with a non-L lens!
Sharpness is a big part of what L lenses are known for. It's sharp at all apertures and zoom settings so shoot at f/2.8 all you want! If you're thinking this costs too much, then finance it! Why buy a cheap zoom and end up buying upgrade after upgrade over your life? Don't be a ridiculous! Buy it ONE time and be done with it. IT DOES NOT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS! F.Y.I. I'm shooting with a Canon 30D. This the 3rd "L" lens in my kit now. One you go "L" you just won't settle for anything else."

Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Review 11 for Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens

Customer Rating

5.0 5

awsome 03/04/2008
By RLipp from Frankfort,IL

What's great about it: Best lens that canon makes!
What's not so great: none

"all i have to say dont leave home without it!!!spend the extra money and buy the IS it is well worth it!"

Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes

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Review 12 for Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens

Customer Rating

5.0 5

Never Leave Home Without It 09/21/2007
By Lghb from North Caroline

"An excellent lense. Great for low-lit gymnasiums and sporting events. Great color and contrast. One of Canons finest lenses."

Would you recommend this product to a friend?: Yes

3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

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