Great sharpness and contrast, light weight (especially compared to the 2.8!) and a decent value for the money.

Tripod collar not included ($139!) and the storage case is very cheesy.

This is an excellent lens -- one of my all time favorites. I had the 70-200 2.8 but traded it for this to save weight in my too-heavy bag. I don't miss the 2.8 at all.

Customer Service

Haven't had to use

Similar Products Used:

70-200 2.8
100-400 IS
75-300 IS

It is very light weight vs. 2.8 version, only half of his big brother; close focus down to 1.2m versus 2.8 version's 1.5m, very useful for casual "macro" picture; Using it for portrait, color rendition of skin is elegant and a bit warm. Because of close focus, a tight head-and-shoulder is achieveable;It is very sharp wide open at 200mm which is a good telephoto lens should be. It also takes 67mm filter which is convenient to travel with 24-85USM. With 2 bodies and these 2 lense on the road, you are all set. It also focus quietly and has L line's solid build feel. Ii performed as expected based on my objective was to choose a light travel kit instead of ultimate portrait lens

watch the flare, don't get sun ray too close to the frame;
not ultimate contrasty as prime in the focal range;If you hang up on sharpness, a prime in the same focal range may serve you better together with f2.8 up aperture for portrait and lighter weight. I found that with f4 and velvia, you would need tripod more. Although it takes TC, you basically can forget about using a 1.4x for handheld at 280/5.6. Lacking of tripod collar, this lense creats some cumbersomeness when you take a vertical picture on a ballhead.

It is an ultimate travel tele in the EOS line and a casual portrait lense as well. When you do travel and hiking like I do, there is not many other choice than this lense if you concern about sharpness and weight. I specially like to lug this lens with my 24-85 to the field for scenary shots. The 70-200 range is particular useful when you put it on a tripod to block scenic patterns. I have also made some graceful enlargement of portrait to 11x14 with NPH400 film

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

70-200/2.8L as good
135/2.8MD
Vivitar 70-210/4.5-5.6
tamron 80-200/4.5PK

Sharp and lightweight especially in comparison to the 2.8 monster. Fast focusing. Handles flare well. Very well built.

None

a great alternative to the 70-200 F2.8L which is very large and heavy. The optical quality is excellent and it is built to take a lot of heavy use. The tripod coller for my 300 F4L fits this lens too.

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

many Canon EF and FD lenses

Light weight, optical quality,USM, looks

not much

Excellent performing 70-200 range lens, I traded in my 2.8 counterpart for it and didn't regret a bit. Optically just as good as the 2.8, if not better, handles very well even without the tripod mount. Excellent size and weight for travelling. One of the best offerings from Canon.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 70-200 2.8L, Nikon AFS 80-200 2.8, Leica 70-180 2.8

Extremely sharp lens with excellent contrast and resolution. Lightweight and well balanced. Metal construction, fast, silent focussing. Nice touches like a focus limiter and full time manual override of autofocus.

None.

For those who want the performance of the 2.8L without the weight and bulk, this is the ultimate lens. Great for travel and all day carrying. Light enough that tripod collar not necessary. Add a fast 85/105 prime for portraiture for the same price as a 2.8L zoom and you have an unbeatable combination.

Customer Service

None needed.

Similar Products Used:

75-300 IS

Excellent balance, light weight, superb optics.

Can't get tripod collar...still waiting for back order from one of the biggest mail-order store, 3 weeks.

Waiting for tripod collar...can be expense as quoted. If you are looking for a 'pro' lens without doing weight lifting. Here is the one! The hood is a work of art itself!

Customer Service

Not yet experience.

Similar Products Used:

Tokina ATX 28-70 F2.8
EF 50 F1.8
EF 35-70 F3.5

This lens is incredibly sharp - especially at 200mm. It's lightweight (almost half the weight of the EF70-200 2.8L) and can even be used in one hand (at a pinch and with a fast enough shutter speed!). It feels very well balanced in the hand when mounted to my EOS 5.

It's a reasonably fast (f4) lens and considering I shoot mostly 400 speed film, it's plenty fast (for the moment).

The full time manual focus (as with all Canon ring-type USM lenses) is great to use, and the zoom extends it's whole range with a quarter turn of the zoom ring.

Would be nice if it included the tripod collar as it is a bit front heavy on the monopod.

67mm Filters - this is one of 2(!) Canon lenses that use this size filter!

If you are looking at the EF 70-200 f2.8L and can't stretch your budget that far, OR, are simply looking for a optically superior, but resaonably lightweight zoom then this lens is certainly worth a look.

Optically it is reported to be superior to the EF 70-200 2.8L especially at the 200mm end, and if f4 is fast enough for you, you may was well save yourself the difference - and put it towards another piece of kit.

A great value L series lens from Canon.

Customer Service

Not yet experienced.

Similar Products Used:

EF 70-200 f2.8L
EF 300 f2.8L
EF 75-300 II f4.0-56
EF 28-80 f4.5-5.6
EF 28-105 f3.5-4.5
Nikkor AF80-200mm

Small and light.

F4,0 sometimes ! (I traded my 80-200 2,8 L for this lens)

A rally great lens that doesn´t make your back hurt ! Sharp and contrasty aven at full aperture.
Fast and quiet AF.

Customer Service

Terriffic!(Never needed)

Similar Products Used:

70-200 2,8 L,80-200 2,8 L.

None

None

Very good lens very sharp at all focal but tiny soft in f4
easy to carry I have the big sister (f2.8) before but I didnt enjoy to take it with me anywhere its HEAVY !!!
I have boot lens for a while and the picture Q. IS THE SAME
if you dont need the f2.8 it must have lens

Similar Products Used:

None

>>good building
>>very fast focus
>>great sharpness
>>not that heavy

>>hard case and collar is sold seperatly

it's the great lens i've ever use >>>>>
very fast focus and very good balance to my camera

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

75-300 f4-5.6 IS with the very slow AF