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

Range of the zoom
Reasonably fast(considering...)
Focusing speed

not L- quality

Considering the reputation and performance of other Luxury lenses, this one doesn't make the cut. I imagine Canon added the L just to assure their fanbase they aren't just another player in the 1-600 zoom club. Considering the range, aperture and autofocus speed are pretty good, but I would rather rent this lense than buy it. Why not carry two bodies, one with a 28-70, the other with 1.4x and 70-200? FAR better quality, faster lenses.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

none

Wide Zoom Range and good images, even wide open at 350mm f5.6. This zoom range is outstanding for taking pictures of kids soccer games from sidelines. Some people have commented that they have seen a lack of sharpness at 350mm using f5.6. I have never seen a significant softness but I use it for action shots and I cannot see anything like that in these. I have compared it with the 100-400mm IS in this application and find the sharpness similiar (both are excellent).

Heavy and at f5.6 requires ASA400 and preferably ASA800 film. I use a Canon D30 digital on ASA800 with this lens. At this speed there is some minor grain.

I like this lens when used out of doors with lots of light in conjunction with ASA800. It is truly a great lens.

Customer Service

None needed

Similar Products Used:

100-400mm IS zoom. It is better for lower light and can use lower ASA rated film, but the longer 100mm focal length is not as good for soccer games from sidelines with Canon D30.

Focal range!!
Quality +++++
Sharp (tack) at all f stops

weight, price and slow f stops at long end, not that I'm complaining

This is without a doubt in my mind the "if I could only have one" lens. If they made this a straight f 4 I would be in heaven!

Customer Service

Never knock wood!

Similar Products Used:

70-200L 20-35 28-135is

Great 10x range. Sharp enough for that range.

At 350mm wide open tends to vignette.

I am working with this lens since 3 years. Very sturdy built. Resists shocks against walls. etc. Good allround lens for fast choosing of the frame. Could be a f4 at 350mm but this would make it even more heavy.

Customer Service

Good

Similar Products Used:

Vivitar 28-300

Very good optical quality. Execellent build quality.

Expensive. Heavy.

I had this lens for two weeks and tested it along with my Nikon and Contax(CZ) gear. I have to admit this lens has a very high optical quality considering the focal length it covers, but it never matched the optical performance of fixed lenses. It is built like a tank, hence too heavy. If you do not need a zoom lens then you will be getting better results and lighter camera gear with a few fixed lenses. The lens distorts at 35mm and gets softer at 350mm. I personally thought it was not really a practical lens, purely because I would be needing a zoom lens when I am travelling and when I want to travel I would rather travel as light as possible. I would think this lens is really designed for sport phtographers. Still, I think canon have done an excellent job with this lens. The best lens in this catagory.

Similar Products Used:

Tamron 28-200
Sigma 28-200