Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens

The Canon 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM is quite simply an excellent lens, which will reward users with quality images in almost every situation. On full-frame 35mm, sharpness is very good even wide open, becoming excellent corner-to-corner when stopped down.

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  Superb build quality, Highly effective image stabilization, Excellent autofocus and manual override, Consistently high image quality across almost all of the range

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  Slightly soft wide open (most notably on APS-C), Average close-up performance, Somewhat susceptible to flare with direct light sources in or close to the frame

For most photographic applications, either 70-200mm f/2.8 lens is an outstanding tool that produces exceptional image quality. Deciding whether to buy the IS lens or the non-IS lens should probably revolve around the photographer's perceived need to have image stabilization.

It should come as no surprise to learn that Canon’s professional-specification Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM zoom lens is an ergonomic delight. It sits comfortably in the hand and its controls all fall naturally within fingertip reach.

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  Shaped switches allow 'blind' selection of Image Stabilisation

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  200mm MTF results

Performance of the lens is disappointing - for ~US$1,500 we expect a lens that performs consistently well and that's where Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM fails. The lens shows very good performance in the shorter zoom range (70-135mm), but falls short towards the longer end.

Some of you may have already followed our full format review of the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 USM L IS II. The lens performed highly impressive here already but it's even better on APS-C DSLRs due to the sweet spot effect ("center" crop) here.

It was about time. The old Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 USM L IS (mk I) was a good lens but hardly something to rave about especially when used at 200mm. Canon claims to have the leadership in the tele lens arena and they probably do but so far with the exception of this lens segment.

The lens is great. If money is no object, I'd say go for it. I'd love to have the $2000 I spent on it and the 1.4x extender. However, I won't sell the lens and get most of my money back. I bought my 40D with the kit 28-135.

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  Its a great lens when you use it. I used it a good bit for a while at different sporting events. I thought I was a sports photographer. I sold pictures to parents (not enough to pay for the lens). I got some pretty impressive pictures at high school football games under the lights with no flash.

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  It cost a lot of money to sit in a safe. It is too narrow of a focal length for most gatherings. I found that I would put it on 70mm and back up a lot. I've owned it for nearly 5 years but rarely go to it anymore. I bought the 24-70 2.8L (which is a large lens to carry).

I don't carry many lenses for a wedding, but this thing is always in my bag. I have, like so many I suppose, thought about replacing it with primes just because they are lighter and can open even further to let in more light, but there is just no alternative to it.

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  Image Quality, Bokeh, Build Quality, IS

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  Weight, Price, Bulky Size

Several months ago I finally decided to shell out the 1400.00 on this lens. Quite simply it is one of the best investments in photography that I have ever made. The lens is outstanding, both in build quality and performance.

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  Everything

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  Costly, but I don't believe overly expensive. this is one good piece of glass.