Canon 70-200 L Lens Review

You bought that DSLR for the versatility and ability to change equipment to handle any and all situations. There is one piece of equipment you don't want to leave on the shelf. It is the Canon 70-200mm L lens.

There are actually four of these critters, and there is plenty of discussion about which is the best. But the truth is that any one of the four is an excellent choice. There are two differences which make up the four variations. First, there is an f/4 version and an f/2.8 version. Add to that the IS version of each, and the total is four.

Canon

First, it is important to know that each 70-200mm L lens version has excellent build quality and superior glass. The "L" in the name actually means Luxury. It is the highest quality of glass and building materials, making it much more expensive than non-L glass. There is low-dispersion and ultra-low dispersion glass in each of the four types. This basically means that the glass used (dispersion glass) is not subject to the same deterioration of quality as non-dispersion glass. It will not distort the images, making the image quality much better.

Another plus for the Canon 70-200mm lenses is the non-rotating front elements. This feature is important for maintaining focal quality, but it is also important if you are using certain filters, such as circular polarizers.

With the high range of focal length, having either f/4 or f/2.8 allows you, the photographer to have relatively low light photos without the danger of poor quality that comes with higher apertures. Obviously, the f/2.8 will allow faster shutter speeds than the f/4, making it a better choice if you are doing indoor sports where you will need the fastest possible setup.

Each of these models is also equipped with an ultrasonic motor, making the focus time almost instant. There is no searching as with other lesser quality products. The non-rotating barrel is also an asset when it is focusing. Auto focus is also present in conjunction with the ultrasonic motor.

The differences among the four Canon 70-200mm lenses are in the aperture (f/4 or f/2.8) and the inclusion or exclusion of IS (image stabilization).

Starting with a non-IS f/4, you get two advantages. First you will pay the least of the four, in fact, you will pay quite a bit less - about one-third the price of the most expensive one. The second advantage is the weight. Because there is less glass, the f/4 is much smaller and lighter than the f/2.8.This factor alone has been the deciding one for many photographers. The extra weight of an f/2.8 lens can cause fatigue much quicker.

As you add IS and wider aperture range, you increase the price and the weight with each addition. But as mentioned earlier, any one of these Canon 70-200mm Lenses will make a welcome addition to your camera bag. Due to the zoom range, there is so much versatility. You can shoot portraits, modified landscapes (not enough wide angle to use for dedicated landscape photography), sports, nature, and almost anything you can think to shoot.

Canon 70-200 L Lens Review