Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM 35mm Zoom
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM 35mm Zoom
[Aug 14, 2003]
Amit
Intermediate
Strength:
Image Quality - Sharpness Fast AF Build Quality
Weakness:
If only Canon could make it 2.8 (no more weight though...) The best bang for the buck in Canon lenses (well, maybe right after the 50 1.8). This lens is SHARP even wide open, amazingly sharp! The color rendition is fabulous, and the ergonomics, well what can I say it's a Canon L lens. Very fast and accurate AF. Works great with a 1.4 extender - If you're after one of those 100-300 consumer zooms for over $200, I'd recommend you squeeze about $200 more and buy this lens used. You can find it for $425-475, and you won't be disappointed with this purchase. Prior to this lens I owned the Canon 75-300 consumer zoom, you simply cannot compare between the two. And don't believe to those who tell you that differences in pictures can be seen only on big enlargments - you can see major improvments in 4x6 pics! Similar Products Used: Canon 75-300mm |
[Aug 04, 2003]
rsoliman
Expert
Strength:
Outstanding optical quality Colors are extremely contrasty and very, very accurate. Detail is always tack sharp. Focus speed is fast, even in low light. Light to carry around, front element does not move during zooming.
Weakness:
Installation of the included lens hood takes some practice to overcome that feeling of being cumbersome. I normally use primes to do all my photographs, everything from landscapes to macro. Some family members and several friends had asked me in the past to do their wedding photography for them. My primes would do the job well, but in changing to an appropriate lens for certain photographs, I found out that I had often missed the moment. So, I finally decided to buy a zoom. A Canon user, someone recommended that I try out the 70-200/f4L, and the 28-70L. I went to the local Ritz camera store and first bought the cheaper of the two--the 70-200/f4L. I was amazed! Colors were spot on and detail was absolutely tack sharp! I was so impressed that I went ahead a few days later and bought the 28-70L. It also gave me the same outstanding performance and output. Now, for all my photographs I use only these two lens--except when a prime is called for. Similar Products Used: Canon 28-70/f2.8L Canon 50mm/f1.8 Canon 15mm/f2.8 USM Canon 24mm/f2.8 Canon 20mm/f2.8 Nikon F-100 Nikkor 28-70/f2.8 AF-S ED |
[Jun 21, 2003]
obywon
Intermediate
Strength:
way too sharp for portraits, (but photoshop will take care of it). c great colors and contrast.
Weakness:
"O" can't be beat for the price. this is the L lens that led to my L glass addiction. have since bought 2 othe L zooms and one prime. the nice feature of this lens is that you will not get tired of carrying it around all day. Similar Products Used: 24-70L.........17-40L......85 f/1.2L |
[Jun 11, 2003]
pemartin
Intermediate
Strength:
Many!
Weakness:
to nit pick: 67mm filters lens pouch sub-standard Part of the reason I bought this lens was all of the positive reviews on this site- the other was the fact that for a "L" series lens this one can't be beat as far as value. The shots I have made with this lens are very sharp, and consistant at every f stop. Build quality is on par with the other L lenses and for a zoom is actually fairly small in size- much more than its 2.8 brother. The supplied lens hood is huge but effective, however the lens pouch is decoration only- easily replaced by a lowpro case. As far as the 67mm filter size...well that is a bit of a pain, but for the money you save you can buy lots of filters. Overall, what you'd expect from a Canon L lens. Customer Service not needed Similar Products Used: 24mm 2.8 50mm 1.8II 28-105 3.5-4.5 |
[Jun 08, 2003]
Rollins
Expert
Strength:
Excellent sharness throughout. USM is quick and reliables. Constant f/4 aperture throughout. Build qulaity is excellent. Excellent build quality. Canon Rebate for this lens. Light weight so hand held shots possible
Weakness:
Tripod mount not included with lens. This is an excellent zoom lens. I also have the EF-300mm f/4 L (non-IS model )lens and these lenses pair together nicely. These two lenses also share the same lens-tripod mount which saved me $$$. Customer Service None Similar Products Used: EF-300 f/4 L (non-IS model) |
[Jun 04, 2003]
zeiss
Intermediate
Strength:
sharpness, price, weight
Weakness:
may need a 85f1.8 or 100f2 for portrait. Very sharp. It's safe to take @f4. cheap and light. Bought it because I could not hold EOS3 + 70-200f2.8 for long. Similar Products Used: 70-200 f2.8 100-400 f4.5-5.6 |
[May 14, 2003]
typhoon1973
Casual
Strength:
good performance/price ratio very sharp lens, very good build quality cheap easy to carry around the white paint finish makes you stand out
Weakness:
not fast enough the white paint finish makes you stand out a good mid-range telephoto lens and that is easy to carry around. Very sharp lens, at this price I can't complain. Couple with 24-85, I have the good range covered. both lens use the same 67mm filter Similar Products Used: 24-85mm |
[May 05, 2003]
doanbui
Expert
Strength:
Solidly built, inner focus, inner zoom (length does not change), affordable, light (compared to f2.8) and beautiful images.
Weakness:
None After months of investigation, mostly with this site's users reviews, I finally chose this 70-200 F4 lens and it is my first L lens. I just got my first roll back, and extremely pleased with the images. Considering I was shooting Fuji 400 consumer neg film with an EOS 5, the images surprised me with their rich color saturation, high contrast and above all, the sharpness that chalelenges my MF Mamiya 7 lens, and this lens definitely fulfils the reputation of L series. There are many shots inside a basketball stadium with low light and the lens opened wide F4 and 5.6 and speed quite low 1/30 but the images are still sharp at 70mmm and middle focal lengths. Portraits of my daughter are also sharp and very pleasing, especially skin tones despite the fact that I shot them in a hurry. The lens focuses quickly and quietly with no hunting even in low light. The lens seems to have a very 'determined' brain inside, no hesitation at all. In summary a brilliant piece of equipment and anyone who are fussy about their image should own one. I did not try the F2.8 however I do not regret a bit as I found this F4 is heavy enough to lug around and it perfectly suits my shooting style. My next move would be a 24-70 F2.8 to replace my 28-135 which I found a bit soft. Customer Service not needed Similar Products Used: EF 28-135 F3.5-F5.6 USM IS |
[Mar 18, 2003]
Jason
Intermediate
Strength:
Color, contrast, sharpness (even at f/4), build, weight, focus speed, am I missing anything?
Weakness:
I don't see the f/4 as much of a hindrance like others do. I think that results from 400 speed film are strong enough to compensate for the additional f-stop when extra speed is needed. I did not sample the 2.8 b/c I don't have the $$, but I would not have the space in my bag for anything larger (the f/4 barely fits), nor would I want the extra weight. Great lens with great results. Just got first rolls of film back. One prints, the other slides. All I can say is if you're not getting great results with this lens, you're doing something terribly wrong. The handheld weight balances perfectly with my EOS 7. Not too heavy, yet solidly built. It's a little bit long and conspicuous when walking around in public (especially with the hood), but the results are worth it. The colors and contrast are superior to all of my prior photos. Images seem to really pop. (And this is on consumer Fuji 400 speed film, can't wait to try Superia 100) Slides have added depth and sharpness that my prior work lacked. I'm very please overall and can't imagine going back to the Shi!!y Sigma that I previously used. Customer Service Not needed yet. Similar Products Used: Sigma 70-300 DL Macro Super Tokina 28-70 f2.8 ATX Pro Canon 100mm USM Macro |
[Feb 28, 2003]
Rana Tanveer
Expert
Strength:
Light weight, Build Quality, florite optics, USM ring and contrast.
Weakness:
I may say collor but I use camera tripod. When we need to buy any lense, we think about their sharpness, contrast, build quality etc etc. If you visit www.photodo.com and read "Articals" about MTF (MTF stands for Modular Transfer Function. It is one method of evaluating lens performance based on the contrast ratio. The MTF indicates how well the lens can reproduce a likeness of a subject on film). Cannon takes the lead there. Canon 200 F1.8 L (Prime)is measured the sharpest lense at a Grade of 4.8 out of 5 (so far). No one else (Nikon,Zies etc) could have touched to that grade. In zoom lenses Canon's 70-200 F2.8 L and F4-L are Graded equaly at 4.1 out of 5. You simpley can't get any better zoom on the market. I shoot people and where I need F2.8 I use 28-70. Its my favourit lense due to its bargain Price, due to its quality in every bit. I would advise that your choice should based on your need not on price. If this review is any usfull to you please rate it) Customer Service Not needed yet Similar Products Used: Canon 70-200 F2.8L Canon 28-200 F3.5 Canon 28-70 F2.8 L |