Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 is II review

Introduction – Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 is II review

This lens is one of the most highly regarded lens in the Canon lineup. This focal length is very useful especially in Full frame cameras. I tested the lens on Canon 5d Mk III full frame camera body.

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Specification – Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 is II review

Lens Mount: Canon EF
Compatibility: Full frame
Lens elements: 23 elements in 19 groups included
Exotic lens elements: 5 UD and 1 Flourite elements
Aperture blades: 8 rounded aperture blades
Minimum focus distance: 1.2 m this is very nice
Max aperture: f/2.8
Min aperture: f/32
Weight: 1490 g (3.3 lb)
Magnification: 0,21x at 200mm
Size: 89 mm diameter x 199 mm length (3.5 x 7.8 inch )
Hood: ET-87 supplied
Ring type ultrasonic motor with Full time manual focus override
Dust and moisture resistant construction
Dual mode stabilizer claimed 4 stops by Canon

Usability – Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 is II review

This lens is designed primarily for Full frame cameras. On Full frame this focal length with this bright f/2.8 aperture is extremely versatile. You can make landscapes, portraits, almost any kind of photography you like. The f/2.8 aperture is very good to blur the background as well, to enhance the creative / artistic / 3Dimensional capability of the lens. On newer Full frame cameras the lens can serve for low light as well. Certainly this lens is very versatile which adds to it’s value. Compare to prime lenses you can much easier and more properly and easily can frame portraits, landscapes, kids, pets, animals and any other photographic subjects.

Optical quality – Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 is II review

This is quite a sharp lens, much sharper than the Mk I version. I would say wide open it is sharper than the Canon 200mm f/2.8 L prime lens. Colors and contrast are very good as well. This is an excellent lens. The fantastic number of UD glass elements seems make a difference for this lens. There is a huge potential in this lens to make fantastic images. Bokeh is very nice on Full frame camera. I don’t plan to have this lens, but if I would have it…
Click to see in 1440 pixel f/2.8 1/1600s ISO 100

f/2.8 Canon 5d Mk III Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 is II USM

200mm f/2.8 Canon 5d Mk III Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 is II USM lens ISO 1000 1/2500s

ISO 400 f/4 the detail is exceptional

Build quality, handling – Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 is II review

It is a huge beast with significant weight attached to it. I accept this weight for wildlife telephoto lenses, but wouldn’t want to carry this beast all day, like professional reporters. The build quality seems very good, but there are some small screws here and there, which I wouldn’t like, If I would buy it, as there aren’t any on long L primes for example. Other ways everything is exceptionally good here, the lens feels toughly build, the rings operates very smoothly, the autofocus is very quick and near silent as usual for Canon “L” lenses.

Focus limiter – Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 is II review

There is a focus limiter at 2.5m.

Teleconverters – Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 is II review

Here the Mk III converters designed for this lens. With the 1.4x the quality is not really different, even I would put the 2x converter on it. Obviously the quality will be lower. Acceptable or not it depends what you expect. If you need 400mm primarily there are much better options out there.

Bokeh – Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 is II review

The 200mm on f/2.8 on a Full frame camera makes a good job even from a distance. The bokeh is pleasing. The rounded aperture blades helps to form circulare highlights, stopped down the lens as well.

The Kenko 1.4 x was on the lens 205mm f/4 wide open with the converter ISO 100 1/800s

Price/performance – Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 is II review

Until now everything was ok, but the significant price tag (app. 2500 dollar in US, 50% more in Europe) of this lens can be extremely painful. If you can earn money with the lens than perhaps it is ok if you have the bucks, but if not…it set you back significantly. It is the top quality right now, with the best picture quality, but the older versions are not bad either. The most budget friendly is the Canon 70-200mm f2.8 non stabilized version of course.

Compare to – Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 is II review

There is not really anything to comparing this lens is so good. Forget Tamron, Sigma, Tokina or earlier Canons, if you want the best and has a budget for it this is it. It is a fantastic lens. On aps-C the Canon 70-200mm f/4 is lens is said to be sharper.

Verdict – Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 is II review

A very good lens with very versatile focal lenght range for those who can afford it. As a usual top of the line Canon telephoto. Those who cannot afford it the other Canon 70-200mm zoom lenses are also very good for significantly cheaper price, but not at this level. The cheapest Canon 70-200mm f4 highly vignettes on Full frame though. The Canon 70-200mm is II is perhaps the best quality zoom lens today, certainly the best I have checked yet. Outside ugly big heavy beast but makes fantastic images.