Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras by Canon
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Digital camera reviews of Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Digital camera Review: A Great Lens
Summary: 5 Stars
Light, sharp, great color, good coverage 70-200mm and solid construction. As a digital camera user, F4 does not bother me since we can increase the ISO. Seems to be not as sharp as fixed lens (like 180mm F3.5) but sharp enough and give us the great coverage and conveniences.Digital camera Review: A bargain for L serious glass, without bargain-like compromises.
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this lens for use with my Canon 20D. I really wanted a telephoto lens for shooting the autocross races, but I am crazy about quality. I knew that I had always wanted to shoot with L-series glass before, and I had held a few L-series lenses, but I wasn't sure just how great of a category this lens was. I figured the price was reflecting something I should worry about, but reviews stated otherwise so I made the purchase. All I can say is I was SO WRONG for doubting this lens! The first day I took the lens out to play with it (mostly pointless shots of nothing to test out the 200mm range on a x1.6 crop body,) I saw a Red 1960s Ford Thunderbird across a parking lot.This was the perfect opportunity to get closer with the range of the lens. I would not have had time to walk up to the car with my usual favorite lens, the Canon EF 50 1:1.8 as the car was driving away, so I held the lens up to my eye, framed the shot and focused (very quickly to my surprise, as I was not used to USM focusing, it's VERY quick, sharp, and accurate) then snapped off the shot. That shot can be viewed at the link below:
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n15/eastermonkey/IMG_0030--2.jpg
This shot came OUT OF CAMERA with NO editing other than RAW processing, and a black border. I have never seen such beautiful color saturation, contrast, and sharpness from any of my lenses. The Fluorite and ultra low dispersion elements in the L-series lenses really make the images "pop" in a way that can only be compared first hand. Trust me though, you'll notice when you pick up this lens if it's your first L.
I HIGHLY recommend this lens to anyone with the budget for it. Image quality is amazing, and the build quality matches.
Front lens element does not move or rotate when focusing or zooming. The focus and zoom rings are well dampened. The lens is not weather sealed. The lens is compatible with both the Canon x1.4 and x2 extenders but it will only auto focus with the x1.4 on all of the non 1-series Canon bodies. The lens ships with a lens hood (ET-74) and a soft lens pouch. The filter size is 62mm and the lens does not come packaged with a tripod ring, although one can be purchased. [Canon A-II(W)]. The lens is also par-focal meaning that one can zoom in, focus, then zoom out without having to refocus. USM ring-type focusing means full time manual is supported.
Digital camera Review: A bit over rated is this "L" quality
Summary: 3 Stars
I came upon this lens yesterday (June 11th 2008) and was excited to actually test run an "L" lens versus my regular canon/tamron lens and was disappointed. Is this what "L" series is about?
This day I was out shooting landscape beaches, vegetation, flowers, and dockyard shots where I stumbled upon another photographer having shot similar stuff that day with this 70-200 f4 L. So I compared her shots to both my 18-55 ef s IS canon and my Tamron 70-300 4-5.6 non IS.
SO I used my rebel xs( 1000d) and shot some similar stuff with the 70-200L vs my Tamron 70-300. Here are my findings.
The test contained shots at sunset at a dockyard here in the Caribbean, in lowlight and almost no light to truly see the grade.
1. In decent light the L was nice and sharp...just a little bit sharper than the 70-300 tamron. Nothing staggering here, but the tamron lens was brighter in colour.
2. L 70-200series was solid built felt secure, but then I thought it was way too heavy for carrying around on my neck for long periods, compared to the light weight 70-300 tamron I had carried for almost 5 hrs in the sun.
3. The daytime shots I had seen from the L 70-200 did not jump out or surpassed what I had taken on the 70-300 tamron, in fact the tamron responded better i terms of colour.
4. It was nice to zoom on the L and the physical lens zoom internally as opposed to the outside plastic extend on the 70-300 tamron, just as this may be attractive to some with an L lens so it may be equally attractive to see your ordinary Lens extend its barrel...looks intimidating, draws attention.
5. Both lenses had similar representations in the low lit pictures in the end, though the L was quicker to focus. Tamron had better colour still in lowlight. Both cameras found it difficult when it came to blurring because of the non IS so again camera man technique is important.
My finding: Unless there is a big difference when choosing lens like IS versus non IS or desired focal lengths be careful in choosing a lens because of a NAME or expected performance as opposed to what it really does.
Yes if I had the cash to waste I would buy an L series lens for every need, but even in this case being non IS is somewhat of a challenge and I would prefer an IS lens with this focal length (70-200 or upward).
A good camera person will make an average or lesser lens work well, good compositioning, contrast, colour modes, shutter speed etc vs a great lens under an average user.
The end product picture is the measure mark, not all the features, this is extremely important in photography to remember, there are too many gimmicks concerning brands and so called improvements.
Would I buy this L 70-200 f4: Not against a 70-200 or 300 IS lens of similar picture quality, weight is also too heavy, and this lens doesn't even stay on the cam that long, it's range is not very long say 70-300, and it's not that impressive for the price.
But yes if I wanted a 70-200mm only and this was available for less money.
Digital camera Review: A great lens for the money 5 Stars
I purchased this lens with lots of though and am EXTREMELY happy with it. The color is spot on could not be any better. There is only one thing that I dont like but it was my fault and you cant fault the lens for your mistake and that is the that it is only a f/4 and no IS at the least I would like IS if not F/2.8 with IS but if you primarily shoot outdoors and in good light it wont be a problem but it is those few occasions that I dont have good light that is a bother but you cant fault a lens for what it does not have.-_-__-__-_-this is for the people whew are using the crappy lens that came with there lower end DSLR and cant justify the coast of this lens, WAKE UP if you want to get the great color and pictures that your camera can offer just bit the bullet and get it already. If you ever want to take GREAT shots you cant be using a cheepy (unless its the nifty fifty) just a little FYI._--___--_--__
Digital camera Review: A nice piece of Optics.
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been using this lens for last 1 month and so far I have taken around 300 pictures and I am impressed with the performance and the quality. I tried to take a shot of moving roller costar and it came out very good, I can see the face of the guys sitting at the front row!!! Color and the sharpness is really impressive.
I also tried to take a shot of moon in the night but I am not sure whether the problem was with the setting or what but I saw 3 moons. I looked at the tripod, it was fixed and there was no problem.
Other then that It is one of the best piece of optics.