- Huge range. - Relatively consistent and good optical performance throughout the zoom range. - Build quality. - Cool hood ;)

- Weight (I don't mind much, though)

I've only had this lens for a couple of months, but I already like it a lot. The versatility and ruggedness of this lens makes it a welcome alternative to lugging along lots of kit. I personally don't mind carrying tons of equipment around, but sometimes it just isn't practical. Often a little extra weight is preferrable to juggling two or three light lenses. As for the image quality, there is a certain amount of distortion in the far ends and some loss of contrast when you go long, but well within acceptable limits. Otherwise the optical performance is very good, and the close focusing distance @ 135 m.m. is great! The build quality is very very good. This is one of my favourite features about this lens (and other Canon L lenses). It's a releif not having to worry about the lens being bumped around a little by whatever is going on around you while you're trying to get that good shot. Some reviews I've read about this lens state that it is "non-L" quality. My expirience is the exact opposite. This lens will run circles around any non-L zoom lens any day of the week. No question.

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

- 17-35 f/2.8 L - 28-70 f/2.8 L - 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 IS L - 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 USM - 75-300 f/4-5.6 USM III - 75-300 f/4-5.6 USM IS

High build quality, excellent optics, 8 blade diaphram for good out of focus blur. Color rendition and 'pop' are quite good. Excellent range, with 35mm being just wide enough for most situations. High quality optics across the entire zoom range, which is quite an engineering feat.

Heavy (3 pounds), huge with hood, and at 350mm. A push-pull design, which I don't like much. I prefer twist zoom. The push-pull action on mine isn't as smooth as I would like, but I bought mine used, so it may be only my lens with this issue. Still, zooming is accurate enough. The lens doesn't "handle" as well as a 70-200 2.8/4 since it extends when zooming. Also, this is a very expensive lens. The sigma/tokina/tamron 28-300 lenses are cheap compared to this one. (I have never used one, so I don't know about optical comparisons.)

This is the "one lens solution" if you want high quality optic and "L" build quality. The reason to own this lens is if you shoot documentary, sports, events, etc. and need to change the framing often. I find I use it most in the 35-200 range, rarely needing to go out to 350. I think this would be a great lens at a wedding, with an EOS 3 and 550EX flash, or a soccer game, volleyball, etc.

Customer Service

Not used

Similar Products Used:

28-70 2.8L, 70-200 4.0L, 80-200 2.8L, 100-400 IS L

Focal Lengths Optics

Push-Pull zoom weight price

A good lens, but not worth the price. I had just as good of results with a Canon 28-135 IS, as well as a Canon 100-300. If you are not a profesional, you will not notice the difference. Save your money and keep practicing. Also, this is a tank, and must be used with a good tripod.

Customer Service

None needed

Similar Products Used:

Canon EF 100-300 f/4.5-56 USM Canon 28-135f3.5-56 IS USM Sigma 17-35 f/2.8-4 EX HSM

Zoom Range(35-350)
One touch Zoom(Focus and Zoom one ring)
Sharpness

Weight, Length at 350 mm

No other brand have this wonderful zoom range with
this sharpness. Thinking or changing the Nikon to
Canon only for this Lens

Customer Service

Very good

Similar Products Used:

AF Nikkor 28-200, Tokina 28-200, Tamron 28-200

Amazing range, capable of taking professional photos given the right subject matter. That "if I can only take one lens on vacation" lens.

weight

Does most things well, nothing really exceptional but if your cut down to only one lens this one carries the range and gets the job done in 80% of the situations for the amateur.

Customer Service

Haven't had the need.

Similar Products Used:

Tokina, Sigma, None built quite as solidly.

Good Range, well built. Zoom locking mech.

Very Heavy, requires tripod. Not as sharp as other L lenses.

This lens is not as sharp as a lens in its price range should be. Although, it is MUCH sharper than the Tamron 28-200.

Customer Service

N?A

Similar Products Used:

Tamron 28-200

If you have to come back with the picture this is all you need.

won't work with the 2X extender and still have AF so big deal.

too bad it's so heavy, this is for pros who want the lens and get paid to haul weight.

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 28-300
lighter but not as nice

Unbelievable versatility.

Still wishing for greater speed and a little less weight -- but that may only exist in another life...

This lens seems to be overlooked by a lot of people. If I could only have one lens, this would be it. The only reason I have more lenses is because I had to buy my way up to this (fear not - you can find one for $1500). I have to add, though, that the 70-200 f2.8 with the 1.4x is a great combination.

Customer Service

never needed

Similar Products Used:

70-200 w/1.4x (don't bother with 2x)

Optic quality
Zoom range
Length @ 35mm
Handling

Weight
Need to lock out zoom when moving with camera.
Fstop limitations against prime lenses.

For outdoor photography either an EOS camera (I use EOS 630 or EOS 100 bodies), there isn't a better all-round lens. The lens quality is noticably better than the "standard" lenses, the 35mm is wide enough for landscapes, and the 350 will bring in the long shots. With the lens locked @ 35mm, the camera & lens will fit into an Ortlieb dry bag camera case & seal properly. Therefore, you can safely carry all the quality camera gear you need without worrying about weather damage. The only lens I'm likely to carry (if I can find one at the right price) is the 17-35L zoom, to give me better wide angle handling. The 200/1.8 & 400/2.8 are beautiful lenses, but who can afford or carry them?

Customer Service

Information requests have always been well received, haven't had to return of have repaired Canon gear.

Similar Products Used:

Nothing really similar;
Canon EF 100-300
Canon EF 28-80
Canon FD 400/4.5
Canon FD 200/2.8
Tokina 80-200

Well built and tough. Good image quality for a super zoom.Same size as a 70-200. 10x zoom range a lifesaver.Fast AF

slow f-stop.

I don't know why this is such a underrated lens in the USA, my fellow news collegues in the UK love this lens. For fast happening news,sports, or travel pics it's fantastic. I've used it every day for the last 5 years and it is still going strong.Image quality isn't a 35 1.4 or a 300 2.8 but the ability to zoom in for an ultra tight shot and pull back for a wide in seconds without changing cameras is worth it.

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

nothing quite like it!
28-200 tamron
70-200 with1.4