Canon EF 70–200mm lens

Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS II USM with lens hood

The EF 70–200mm lenses are a group of telephoto zoom full-frame lenses made by Canon. The lenses have an EF mount to work with the EOS line of cameras.

The lens comes in seven different versions, all of which have fixed maximum aperture at all focal lengths, and are L-series lenses.

The latest iterations of both the f/4 and the f/2.8 variants were announced on 7 June 2018. The f/4 is currently under production and the original MSRP was increased from US$1,299 to US$1,499. In March 2021, it was reported that Canon had decided to discontinue the lens.

Common fields of application

The f/4 USM is popular among weight-sensitive landscape photographers and hobbyists who want L lens quality without spending thousands of dollars. The f/2.8 versions are popular among event photographers and photojournalists where the lens's lower light capabilities are required. Some portrait photographers also prefer this lens because the fast aperture produces more background blur and bokeh.

The non-IS f/2.8 version was released in 1995 and replaced the EF 80–200mm f/2.8L. The lenses use nine- or eight-bladed, circular diaphragms which maintain a nearly circular aperture when stopped down. The f/2.8 and f/4.0 image-stabilized versions also feature weather sealing when mated to a weather-sealed camera to such as the Canon EOS 1D-series bodies.[12][13] These lenses are compatible with the Canon Extender EF teleconverters. Due to its internal zooming mechanism, the lens does not creep or zoom when pointed downward.

35-mm-equivalent focal lengths on cameras with smaller sensors

When used with a Canon APS-C (1.6x crop) DSLR camera or APS-H (1.3x crop), the 35-mm-equivalent focal lengths of these lenses are 112–320mm on an APS-C sensor and 91–260mm on an APS-H sensor. This is due to the crop factor inherent with APS-C or APS-H (crop) sensor digital SLR cameras.

Switches

A frequently pointed-out problem with this lens is the placement of the IS and AF switches, which make them prone to accidental flipping during hand-held shooting. Some photographers solve this by covering the buttons with a piece of gaffer tape. In recognition of this issue, starting with the f/4L IS USM model and f/2.8L IS II USM lens, Canon uses switches designed to reduce the incidence of accidental switch activation.[14]

Specifications

Attribute f/2.8L IS III USM f/2.8L IS II USM f/2.8L IS USM f/2.8L USM f/4L IS II USM f/4L IS USM f/4L USM
Image
Key features
Image stabilizer Yes Yes, 3rd generation (3.5 stops) Yes Yes, 3rd generation (3.5 stops) Yes Yes, 2nd generation (3 stops) No No Yes Yes, 4th generation (5 stops) Yes Yes, 3rd generation (4 stops) No No
Environmental Sealing Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No No
Ultrasonic Motor Yes Yes
L-series Yes Yes
Diffractive Optics No No
Macro No No
Technical data
Maximum aperture f/2.8 f/4.0
Minimum aperture f/32
Horizontal viewing angle 29° – 10°
Vertical viewing angle 19°30' – 7°
Diagonal viewing angle 34° – 12°
Groups/elements 19/23 18/23 15/18 15/20 13/16
# of diaphragm blades 8 circular aperture 8 9 circular aperture 8
Closest focusing distance 1.2 m (3.9 ft) 1.4 m (4.6 ft) 1.5 m (4.9 ft) 1.0 m (3.3 ft) 1.2 m (3.9 ft)
Maximum Magnification .21× .17× .16× .27× .21×
Physical data
Weight 1,480 g (3.26 lb) 1,490 g (3.28 lb) 1,470 g (3.24 lb) 1,310 g (2.89 lb) 780 g (1.72 lb) 760 g (1.68 lb) 705 g (1.554 lb)
Maximum diameter 89 mm (3.5 in) 86 mm (3.4 in) 85 mm (3.3 in) 80 mm (3.1 in) 76 mm (3.0 in)
Length 199 mm (7.8 in) 197 mm (7.8 in) 197 mm (7.8 in) 194 mm (7.6 in) 176 mm (6.9 in) 172 mm (6.8 in)
Filter diameter 77 mm 72 mm 67 mm
Accessories
Lens hood Tulip-shaped (ET-87) Tulip-shaped (ET-86) Tulip-shaped (ET-83II) ET-78B Cylindrical (ET-74)
Retail information
Release date August 2018 April 2010 September 2001 March 1995 June 2018 November 2006 September 1999
Currently in production? Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No No[15]
MSRP US$ $2,099.00 $2,099.00 $1,999.00 $1,349.00 $1,499.00 $1,199.00 $649.99

References

  1. ^ "Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM". dpreview.com. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM". imaging-resource.com. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  3. ^ Cicala, Roger (28 March 2016). "Just the Lenses: The 70-200mm f/4 Comparison". lensrentals.com. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  4. ^ "Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM". dpreview.com. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  5. ^ Etchells, Dave. "Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM". imaging-resource.com. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  6. ^ "Canon upgrades the keystone of a photographer's kit bag - the popular 70-200mm L-series lens". canon-europe.com. 7 June 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  7. ^ "Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM". dpreview.com. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  8. ^ Alexander, Andrew (9 September 2009). "Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM". imaging-resource.com. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  9. ^ "Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM". dpreview.com. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  10. ^ Alexander, Andrew (21 June 2010). "Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM". imaging-resource.com. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  11. ^ "Canon legt zwei Zoom-Klassiker der beliebten L-Serie neu auflast=". canon.de. 7 June 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  12. ^ Carnathan, Bryan. "Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8 L USM Lens Review". The-Digital-Picture.com. Retrieved 10 September 2011. Unlike its IS sibling, the Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8 L USM Lens is not fully weather-sealed – Extra caution will need to be taken in wet conditions.
  13. ^ Carnathan, Bryan. "Canon EF 70–200mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Review". The-Digital-Picture.com. Retrieved 10 September 2011. The Canon EF 70–200mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens is the second lens in the Canon 70–200mm L lens family to sport weather sealing (the f/2.8 IS is the first).
  14. ^ "Canon EF 70-200mm 1:2.8 L IS II USM review". DPReview. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  15. ^ "Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM & Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM II Discontinued". Canon Rumors. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
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