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
9/14
rides on the floor to prevent going their accidentally) and adjusted the driver's seat to the position I needed (way
back). When I got to the venue, I found the camera and lens crushed between the front and back seats at the
worse possible angle (and I gasped of course). I could not budge the case even slightly. I moved the seat forward
and all was fine. That's just one example of how good build quality can save the day - I'm very careful, but I still
have many stories - things happen.
Weather sealing is another 70-200 f/2.8 L IS II build feature that can save the day.
The focus & zoom rings provide firm resistance but are very smooth with no play (definitely improved over the
previous version). The fixed size of this lens is a great feature and I love the smooth design and flush switches.
The included, removable tripod ring (collar) works smoothly. Tripod rings allow the lens to be tripod or monopod-
attached at the approximate balance point for the lens and mounted camera. The camera can then be rotated
freely in the ring or locked tight. I have a
Wimberley P30 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-release lock button. The ET-87 smoothly bayonet mounts
and crisply locks into place. This is helpful as a petal-style hood not rotated fully into position can shade a
portion of the lens image circle. The attractive hood puts the finishing touches on a lens that is sure to impress
your clients (and friends) - impressive both from an appearance and an image quality perspective.
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
|
Canon EOS 50D
Notice the absolute black lens hood interior? Canon adds flocking to the inside of their lens hoods. Even though
a studio monolight was aimed directly into the lens hood (you can tell by reflections on the end of the hood
itself), the flocking did not reflect any light back to the camera position. Keeping stray light out of the lens is the
lens hood's job - as is protecting the front lens element.
Canon knows how to make a great 70-200mm lens. When someone is looking for a second lens, one of the
Canon EF 70-200mm L Lenses is my most frequently recommendation. And there is one that is just right for
