Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM is Canon’s top-of-the-range 70-200mm lens and the superb build quality reflects its pro-standard ‘L’ series branding.


The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM (a slower f/4 version is available along with a non-IS f/2.8 variant, too) weighs1570g, so it’s quite a heavy lens, but it’s built like a tank and features Canon’s Ultrasonic motor (USM) for quiet AF operation.
It also includes Canon’s lens-based Image Stabilizer (IS) technology, allowing you to shoot 3-stops slower than you’d normally be able to do so, rather than needing to shoot at 1/500sec to get a sharp shot, you can get away with going as low as 1/60sec.
There are two IS modes: Mode 1 compensates for vertical and horizontal movement, while Mode 2 detects a panning motion, switching the IS off in that direction.
There’s a good lens/camera balance on larger EOS D-SLRs, though it’s unfair to expect the same feel on smaller models.
Both the zoom and manual focus rings are well-positioned and nicely balanced, while the AF is fast and accurate. The IS works well, but there’s a slight hum and mechanical feeling as the gyros kick in. That aside, this is a great lens.
Canon’s expensive EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM ticked all the boxes as far as specification and performance went, with every base covered, but there was noticeable fringeing when wide-open through the zoom range, rather disconcerting for a lens at this price.