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
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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
.
