Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM 35mm Zoom
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM 35mm Zoom
|
[Jul 03, 2001]
Chuck Simonds
Intermediate
Strength:
Fast focusing, wide aperature lens especially suited for indoor sports photography. Works well for portraits when you want to blur backgrounds.
Weakness:
Large, in fact huge might be a better word, especially with the lens hood extended. Tends to scream "pro" even if your not. I use the lens mostly for indoor sports, volleyball and basketball, where is is perfectly suited. When coupled with predictive autofocus on an EOS 3, the in-focus shot yield is over 90% even in fast moving situations. The lens is heavy enough that hand-held shots must be quite a bit faster than 1/f to maintain sharpness. I also use the lens for travel pictures becuase that's what I have in the focal length range, but the f 2.8 makes it overkill. Customer Service Not used Similar Products Used: 17-35 2.8 USM L |
|
[Jul 01, 2001]
Tim Robinson Photography
Professional
Strength:
every feature you would want as a pro except internal durability.
Weakness:
size if your not a pro,the internals of zooms these days are alloy on plastic to keep weight down.They are great when new but go soft when they loosen up. If you were an amature i think you would be mad to buy this lens.As a pro as long as you get the tolerences tightened up every 6 months it is a very very good although not great lens.If you want to see a great lens then go and have a look at a standard Leica "M" lens.These are a very solid little lump because of the brass internals ,no plastic,and if you have a chrome one then even the lens barrel itself is brass.My blad and my linhof are almost as sharp. Customer Service fine Similar Products Used: Nikon.yuk yuk yuk |
|
[Jul 21, 2001]
David Yeager
Intermediate
Strength:
Build quality
Weakness:
Price I'll make this as short as possible: I ve owned the Sigma and never had any problems but let negative reputation spook me into buying the canon in the past. It was defective and I sent it back. I just recently purchased it again because I could, I like the balance better, and tiny speed difference in autofocus speed. I just shot 10 rolls through it this weekend and all my friends like the Sigma better. I find the Sigma to have a slightly warmer color to it and a much better background blur. People consider the Canon to be the "holy grail" of lenses. If Sigma didnt have theirs I'd agree, but for them to put out a product as good as, and in the opinion of people comparing the photos, better than Canons for less, I will, despite Canons excellent build quality have to give it 4 out of 5 stars Customer Service N/A Similar Products Used: Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 |
|
[Jul 31, 2001]
cliff shone
Expert
Strength:
Optically good over entire zoom range.
Weakness:
Weight An excellent lense aimed at the serious amateur and professional. Amazing ability to isolate the subject from the background. Compatability with 2x and 1.4x converters for upto 400mm. Warning, this lens on a body such as the 1n is seriously heavy! Customer Service Excellent Similar Products Used: Sigma |
|
[Jul 24, 2001]
josh donavan
Professional
Strength:
sharpness
Weakness:
focusing speed isn't as fast as i expected... actually just quieter, not any faster than any lenses without a built-in motor of the same calibre! a great lens as for sharpness, yet not attractive enuf to keep me stay with canon... Customer Service not yet needed Similar Products Used: many canons, tokina and nikons |
|
[Aug 08, 2001]
Nir Nussbaum
Expert
Strength:
> Very sharp
Weakness:
> Very big Amazing lens. But if you want to take photos during a trip or just to take photos for yourself, you'll find it a punishment to take it out to the field. Just too big, much too big and much too heavy. Similar Products Used: None |
|
[Aug 08, 2001]
Griffin Charles
Professional
Strength:
Fast, quiet, tough
Weakness:
None This is a superb lens, especially for journalistic work. Earlier reviews unfavorably compared this lens to Nikon, Tokina, and Sigma. I recently worked in a camera store and had the opportunity to use and compare most of the brands. Nikon Build quality is close to Canon although some of the newer lenses contain much more plastic. Tamron runs third and Sigma a very close fourth. Tokina has only recently introduced a true pro-quality lens. Optically Canon and Nikon run neck and neck with personal preference being the only deciding factor (plus how much you have invested in either system)Tamron and Sigma are second, and Tokina third. The bloom that some refer to in lesser lenses is likely the magnification of the softness in out-of-focus areas. This can be pleasing, but detracts from the sharpness a pro-shooter needs for magazine and news work. My suggestion for people who want the same results from Canon L lenses is to shoot with a soft filter or extender. Customer Service generally good Similar Products Used: a variety of L and IS lenses |
|
[Aug 26, 2001]
Mikhail Arkhipov
Intermediate
Strength:
Very good picture for a zoom. Great wide open.
Weakness:
Far from being as sharp as a prime. It is very good for a zoom, but by a long shot worse that even a third-party prime. Not sharp stepped down to f16 and higher. I was very disappointed when I printed 16"x20" from Velvia slide shot from a heavy tripod at f22. Same size printed from slide shot with 90mm Tamron prime is WAY sharper. Sold it after 2 weeks, have no regrets. 135mm soft focus is lighter and sharper. Customer Service Not needed Similar Products Used: Tamron 90mm macro, Canon 100/2.8 macro, Canon 135/2.8 Soft Focus, Canon 85/1.8. |
|
[Aug 28, 2001]
canon lover
Intermediate
Strength:
Sharp
Weakness:
too heavy for travel and snapshot I love this outstanding lense with bright aperture. Background blur is sufficient. In terms of color, contrast and sharpness, you can't believe it is a high power zoom. I use it for portrait and medium distance objects. But the lense is too heavy and expensive that i won't bring it for travel. I recommend this lense to everyone who don't mind bringing very heavy gear bag. If I choose again, I will buy canon 70-200mm f/4L which is smaller, weights less and still makes very beautiful blurred background. Customer Service average Similar Products Used: EOS A2E |
|
[Dec 05, 1999]
Aaron Eckler
Intermediate
Model Reviewed:
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
Strength:
Very fast focussing. Fixed 2.8 aperature is great. Sturdy.
Weakness:
nope This is an absolutely beautiful lens, and a must if you can afford it. Great for portrait work, sports, nature photography, etc. Picked mine up new in 1999 for 900 dollars (you don't have to spend a fortune!). Worth every penny! Customer Service not needed Similar Products Used: several Canon lenses |