Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L IS USM
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According to our camera lens expert
The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L IS USM is a telephoto zoom lens that's suitable for Canon single-lens reflex cameras. With the lens, you can sharply capture subjects from a long distance. Simply zoom in on a deer that jumps by in the forrest. The lens has image stabilization that prevents unwanted movement in your photos. The silent focusing motor works hard, but is inaudible with the superfast autofocus. Zoom in a lot without frightening your subject with the noise.
Lens mount | Canon EF mount | |
|---|---|---|
Suitable for camera type | APS-C, Full frame | |
Zoom or prime lens | Zoom lens | |
Fixed focal point | ||
Lens type | Telephoto lens | |
Image stabilization | ||
Weight | 0,76 kg | |
Type of photography | All-round, [Nature and animals] |
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I bought the Canon EF 70-200 f/4L IS USM lens on August 17, 2009 at Digicamshop.nl. I've been using it for about 5 weeks now with my Canon EOS 500D camera. After a period of trying out and learning to work with the lens, I have now made more than 150 photos in practice with this lens. I know from experience how difficult it is to take sharp pictures with a lens up to 200 mm. I am now 74 years old and my hand is really not as stable as it used to be. I brought my tripod with me but never used it. I even took a number of photos while standing on a shaky kitchen step, but not a single photo failed due to motion blur. By using the relatively large aperture I managed to make many photos lively because the subject is nicely sharp but the background is out of focus. The lens meets my wildest expectations. For an amateur it is admittedly an expensive investment, but if photography is really a hobby of yours, this lens is really recommended.
Karel Leummens
23 September 2009
Automatically translated from Dutch
So, what a world of difference this is with the 'plastic' Canon 55-250. It is of course not fair to compare a budget telephoto zoom with a lens from the L stable.
Of course the 70-200 f2.8 is the absolute top, but hey, that price...
Have now taken a few hundred photos with this lens, and I think my other lenses will have to wait a while before it's their turn again.
A tip: If you use a tripod, or a shoulder strap like the Sun Sniper, a tripod gondola ring is indispensable. However, there are three variants. The official one from Canon is of course the best but bizarrely expensive. There is also a very cheap solution, but to entrust a lens for 1000 euros to a piece of plastic that costs a tenner, nah. There is also a middle ground: the Micnova MQ-TMR1 Tripod Mount Ring. This is just made of metal, fits tightly around the lens, no play, screw is sturdy. Costs something from 50-60 euros. The only difference with Canon's is the print and the color of the paint, just not quite the same L-white.
Wouter Rietberg
2 May 2011
Automatically translated from Dutch
I apologize I can't speak Dutch & so submitting this review in English. Build Quality: The outer body has metal sealing & the operations (zoom/focussing ring) are smooth and has smooth mechanics. The lens is not heavy for its zoom range. Just around 750 grams. Easy for handheld shots. I used it with 7D and still manage to take lot of hand hold shots without the effect of weight in my hands. Autofocus: The autofocusing is very good at all focal lengths. AF is also quick. It's not the fastest AF but still very quick. While zooming the lens does not extend which means you dont see any protruding stuff. It's all internal only. optical quality: This is one heck of a sharp lens. At f4 its sharp and at f5.6 or one stop down its razor sharp. Crisp and detailed. Probably amongst the sharpest from Canon much like the 135mm f2L, 100mm f2.8L. At 70-75mm there is very little distortion which is hardly noticeable. This can be corrected with the softwares & even while correcting I found its a very very minimal one. Chromatic aberrations are too less. Atleast I couldn't spot it in my lens. The lens is sharp across the entire focal length. Sharpest I should say. There is a slight vignetting effect when I shot at 190-200mm with f4 but at f5.6 or lower it doesn't exist. Very good.
Is it worth the extra money for IS? -Absolutely. Not only its sharp compared to its Non IS lens but the IS is outstanding. I did try the non IS version few times but due to hand shakes I got distorted pictures. At higher focal lengths, even a small shake wud create a blur in the pictures.So I opted for the IS. It's outstanding. I get fabulous pictures.Sometimes the IS goes as much as 3-4 stops down. But in some cases its just 1-2 stops which gives you good shutter speed too.
Is it better than f2.8L IS? I have not used the f2.8L IS or its latest mark II version. However the f4L IS is one stop slower & thats a lot. Significant difference. The shutter speed difference is substantial when opened up from f4 to f2.8 and no comparison. If you need to shoot faster especially indoor sports, indoor portrait shots of people without tripod, go for f2.8L IS. It's an honest feedback.
Damoo
8 October 2011
Automatically translated from Dutch
Product number | 55660 | |
|---|---|---|
Manufacturer code | 1258B005 | |
Brand | Canon | |
Warranty | 2 years | |
Processing of your defect | Carry-in warranty |
Lens type | Telephoto lens | |
|---|---|---|
Type of photography | All-round, [Nature and animals] |
Lens mount | Canon EF mount | |
|---|---|---|
Suitable for camera type | APS-C, Full frame | |
Compatible with lens filter | ||
Filter size | 67 mm | |
Lens series | Canon EF |
Zoom or prime lens | Zoom lens | |
|---|---|---|
Maximum magnification factor | 0,21 | |
Number of aperture shutters | 8 | |
Fixed aperture | ||
Number of groups | 19 | |
Number of elements | 23 | |
Type of lens elements | Fluorite | |
Special lens elements | ||
Number of stops | 4 | |
Image stabilization | ||
Fixed focal point |
Shortest focusing distance | 120 cm | |
|---|---|---|
Manual focus override | ||
Silent focusing motor | ||
Type of focusing motor | Ring type USM | |
Internal focus | ||
Focal distance control | ||
Autofocus |
Color | Black, White | |
|---|---|---|
Weight | 0,76 kg | |
Material | Metal | |
Diameter | 7,62 cm |
Dustproof | ||
|---|---|---|
Shockproof | ||
Water resistance | Splash proof |
