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18/04/13

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens Review

www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-70-200mm-f-2.8-L-IS-II-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

6/14

AI Servo Action Sample

 | 

Action Sample Detail

 
A zoom telephoto lens is great for tracking approaching action while maintaining proper framing. This example
was shot at 123mm and f/2.8 using a Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III. The sharp plane of focus is on the rider as I
intended.

The original 70-200 f/2.8 IS has a similar AF setup, but, putting the two lenses side by side shows that the 70-
200 f/2.8 IS II lens clearly focuses faster (and is slightly quieter). The 70-200 f/2.8 IS II's autofocus system and
performance are as good as it gets.

This is an internal/rear-focusing lens - it does not change length during focusing. FTM (Full Time Manual)
focusing is enabled. The common-sized 77mm filter threads do not rotate (makes using a 

Circular Polarizer Filter

easier). A focus limiter switch is provided - optional ranges are 3.94' - ∞ (1.2m - ∞) and 8.2' - ∞ (2.5m - ∞).
Restricting the focus distance range can improve focus performance - primarily by reducing the available focus
hunting range.

The user manual indicates that this lens is not parfocal - meaning it does not hold focus when zoomed from one
focal length to another. Testing shows this to be true.

Model

MFD

MM

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM Lens

47.2" (1200mm) .21x

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens

47.2" (1200mm) .21x

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM Lens

59.1" (1500mm) .13x

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

47.2" (1200mm) .21x

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens

55.1" (1400mm) .17x

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM II Macro Lens

39.4" (1000mm) .29x

Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di Macro Lens

37.4"

(950mm) .32x

 
The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens shares a MFD (Minimum Focus Distance) with the two current-
at-review-time 70-200mm f/4 L lenses. The 8.1" (200mm) reduction in MFD from the original 70-200mm f/2.8 IS
Lens is very nice - I'm really liking the difference when shooting tight portraits with a full frame DSLR. A .21x MM
(Maximum Magnification) at 200mm is not going to get this lens confused with a true 

macro lens

, but this value

is good enough for nice flower shots and tight portraits.

If shorter focusing distances are needed, 

extension tubes

 can help - taking the maximum magnification ranges to

0.28-0.06x and 0.36-0.14x for 12mm and 25mm tubes respectively. A 

Canon 500D Close-up Lens

 will yield 0.14-

0.60x MM values. The Canon 250D Close-up Lens, at review time, is not available in a 77mm size. This
information is available for research and comparison in the 

Lens Specification and Measurements Tool

.

Summary of Contents for EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM

Page 1: ... the predecessor to this lens the Canon EF70 200mm f 2 8 L IS USM Lens version 1 held prior to this review I was Review Sample Pictures ISO 12233 Crops Vignetting Lens Flare Lens Distortion Lens Specifications Lens Images Owner s Manual 300 00 Rebate Manuf acturer ID 2751B002 Rev iew Date 2010 03 29 Canon EF 70 200mm f 2 8 L IS II USM Lens On Camera One Two Three Bryan Recommends Canon News Nikon ...

Page 2: ...r 1 5 stops At f 4 vignetting is essentially un noticeable except at 200mm where another stop of aperture reduction continues to reduce the light fall off The 70 200 II s vignetting results show a slight improvement in the wide and mid focal length range compared to the 70 200 I but the strongest vignetting focal length 200mm shows similar corner darkening The 70 200 II s 200mm vignetting results ...

Page 3: ...parison using this tool Up for comparison next is a distant outdoor scene Shooting an accurate studio image quality comparison is not easy but doing this outside is even harder The wind must be calm and or the target must be immoveable to prevent subject motion blur A clear sky and a high sun are required so that scene lighting remains as close to even as possible including light color during the ...

Page 4: ...rfectly focused at 135mm so they are excluded The 135mm results mirror the 100mm results I have shot several indoor low light events with the 70 200 f 2 8 II IS using the f 2 8 aperture exclusively and consider the wide open results remarkable I m impressed I love image stabilization It clearly helps in obtaining a sharp image with a handheld camera The link on the left below picture shows your im...

Page 5: ...ersion II lens more modern IS system is better behaved more stabile with less viewfinder jumping at startup It is also quieter almost silent aside from a little audible start stop sound IS is not a miracle for every situation but I find it extremely useful Aside from IS s obvious ability to allow handheld shooting in low light situations providing a still viewfinder makes critical framing easier I...

Page 6: ... hold focus when zoomed from one focal length to another Testing shows this to be true Model MFD MM Canon EF 70 200mm f 4 0 L USM Lens 47 2 1200mm 21x Canon EF 70 200mm f 4 0 L IS USM Lens 47 2 1200mm 21x Canon EF 70 200mm f 2 8 L USM Lens 59 1 1500mm 13x Canon EF 70 200mm f 2 8 L IS II USM Lens 47 2 1200mm 21x Canon EF 70 200mm f 2 8 L IS USM Lens 55 1 1400mm 17x Sigma 70 200mm f 2 8 EX DG HSM II...

Page 7: ...l here is a comparison images are sharp wide open at 280mm f 4 The 1 4x reverses the 200mm pincushion distortion resulting in very low distortion and adds some CA and slight full frame corner softness The 2x causes a noticeably softer image at 400mm The in focus flower above measures slightly over 2 50mm in diameter It was shot at MFD using a Canon EOS 5D Mark II a full frame sensor body at 280mm ...

Page 8: ...m in both dimensions and is slightly heavier Sitting the two lenses beside each other on the counter I thought the version II lens had to have grown more than the numbers indicate Here is a product image comparison The focus ring received the diameter growth but it is also 35 9mm larger in length as well a positive change The mid portion of the lens barrel also expanded in diameter and the switche...

Page 9: ...0 Lens Plate the P20 also works great attached to my 70 200 II This allows quick attachment to any Arca Swiss compatible clamp such as I have on my Monopod ballhead and flash bracket The lens plate can also function as a focusing rail The included Canon ET 87 Lens Hood has a nice textured finish that is more resistant to marking and reflections than the older smooth style It also has a small push ...

Page 10: ... 2 8 L USM Lens Canon EF70 200mm f 2 8 L IS USM Lens discontinued and Canon EF70 200mm f 2 8 L IS II USM Lens A big reason the 70 200 L lenses make a great second lens is the focal length range they cover Most people have the medium wide angle to short telephoto focal length range covered in their general purpose lens and are looking for a lens that will bring their subjects in closer Here is a lo...

Page 11: ...ouse horizontally over the mouseover labels to see an aperture comparison within a focal length Take special note of the f 2 8 background blur advantage this lens has compared to other available lenses with narrower max apertures f 4 and f 5 6 especially Here is another full frame focal length comparison at f 8 70mm 85mm 100mm 120mm 140mm 160mm 200mm The other reason for choosing a 70 200mm L Lens...

Page 12: ...s when using a APS C 1 6x FOVCFbody but it works great for tight and moderately tight portraits even on these bodies Full frame body owners will find the 70 200mm focal length range will allow full body portraits to tight head shots and the improved MFD is especially noticeable when shooting full frame head shots With IS careful framing and low light shooting is easy Event photography typically in...

Page 13: ...irst being a more general purpose lens in focal length range It is not an inexpensive lens but it is very worth the price in my opinion and very worthy of its red ring While this is a completely pro grade lens you definitely do not have to be a pro to appreciate it Get the II November 8 2010 Review Update The Canon 70 200 f 2 8 II IS is selling like crazy and has generated an exceptional amount of...

Page 14: ...view www the digital picture com Reviews Canon EF 70 200mm f 2 8 L IS II USM Lens Review aspx 14 14 Fund New Sell the Used Sell Used Gear at B H Photo learn more Help Contact Us Terms of Use 2013 The Digital Picture LLC Bryan Carnathan Powered By Christ ...

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