Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM

Canon is one of the several top makers of digital SLR camera lenses because they have been doing this for years. They have great experience with optical technologies and that explains why they have several lenses for each of the major categories. When it comes to both creativity and flexibility, telephoto zoom lenses can really do a lot making them popular choices amongst creative and professional photographers. Many of the lenses in this category cost more than the average lens reaching above $1,500. Some of the cheapest lenses can be found in this category as well like the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS. A good way to choose a quality Canon lens is to pick something that is part of the L-series. Fortunately one of the L-series lenses is a telephoto zoom lens that is under $1,000 which is the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM.

Design & Construction

Telephoto lenses are infamous for their bulkiness and heaviness but the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM hopes to catch some breaks by being rather compact compared to the rest of the telephoto lenses. The 76 x 172mm sized lens only weighs about 760g so those that are accustomed to their camera bodies should not worry too much. If more length is needed, the included barrel-shaped hood can add to that.

Optical construction quality is good since this is an L-series with 20 elements in 15 groups along with 2 UD elements and a single CaF2. It makes use of an inner focusing system to prevent the lens from extending whenever the user decides to zoom. The same can be said with the overall build quality where the controls are smooth and the lens does not wobble at all. It also provides a ring-type USM drive so the AF performance operates smoothly, quickly, and silently.

Actual user review:
“Although I don’t like to review products, I felt compelled to write a few words about this marvelous lens. I have been photographing using SLRs for nearly 25 years, and I cannot but praise this lens. After shooting over 1500 images with this lens in Paris and Oxford, I started to realize the special qualities about the 70-200 f/4 IS. Sharpness was excellent, color rendition was immaculate, the IS saved many precious shots, and there were hardly any defects (e.g. vignetting, aberration). Note that I used a cropped sensor body (1.6x). The lens tolerated a lot of cruelty from my end. It endured rain, dust and the odd bang. However, it still performed exceptionally when hand-held. I even took shots with shutter speeds of 1/30 without any loss of sharpness (no tripod). The IS works in two modes: normal and panning; both are exceptional. One has to give praise for Amazon as they replaced my non-IS 70-200 f/4 with the IS version and absorbed the shipping costs too. In sum, for $1100, this lens is one of the best values in photography, considering its superior ‘L’ optics and construction. “ – F.Malikah (USA)

 

Features & Performance

On other aspects, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L might be familiar to those that have been using camera lenses since the early 2000s. Canon actually released the original Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L back in 1999. This lens is special because of its optical image stabilization feature. This third-generation feature provides up to four stops in order to correct shaking. There are also dedicated modes for static and panning shooting along with horizontal and vertical so the IS really comes in handy in all sorts of situations. The fluorite UD lens adds to the quality by optimizing both the contrast and resolution so all of the Canon bodies that the lens supports get benefits.

One of the best performance aspects about the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM lens is the way that it handles distortions. Zoom lenses normally have higher levels but this lens keeps it rather low. Minor barrel distortions show up at around 70mm and then change to pincushion distortions in the 135mm and 200mm levels.

Chromatic aberration will never be a huge deal with this lens as all focal lengths do not open up these problems. Vignetting issues do not arise from this lens either and aperture settings do not negatively affect the quality in any serious ways.

Conclusion

The price tag may be a bit shocking to those that have the non-IS version of the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L lens as it opened up being double the cost. But there are plenty of other quality telephoto lens in the L-series that cost a whole lot more. Priced at nearly $1,400, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM is an excellent pick because of its near flawless qualities. It can basically do everything within its focal ranges so there are only a few reasons to get any additional lenses.

A telephoto lens of this quality is excellent for sports photography where it is necessary to zoom in to the action. The zooming capabilities add to the flexibility so the same lens can be used for taking other subjects. For its size, it is rather easy to use and works well with a number of sub-frame cameras like the Canon 20D. There is no need to worry about wear and tear with this lens since the white design is part of the luxurious L-series and there is nothing really higher than that. This also means that users won’t have to buy a similar lens any time soon.

Average User Rating:
Actual User Reviews:
• “This L lens is just like everyone says it should be, very sharp – handheld. I’ve used it for a daytime football game and it performed excellently. Pictures were sharp, captured the action perfectly, handheld. I’ve used it indoors with an external flash, and it takes wonderful pictures indoors. I’ve used it on landscapes, wildlife, and portrait – all very excellent pictures. Birds photos need to be cropped to enlarge the view. I wish the 70 was 50 – the little extra width would be perfect, using it on my XTI. However, I am not really complaining. The quality of pictures are perfect. I do not notice the weight, which really isn’t that bad for this kind of quality zoom lens. I probably could have gotten by without the IS, but it is great to be able to handhold and take very sharp, focused pictures. I am pleased with my purchase and the performance of this lens. “ – Mark (ID,USA)

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• “I continue to be impressed by this lenses handling, boke, resolution, and build quality. It’s almost half the weight of it’s f/2.8 sibling and carrying it all day is much easier. the 4 stop IS works incredibly well and I get many tack sharp shots at 1/30 at 200mm.

It is sharp at f/4 wide open. At f/5.6 its scary sharp and by f/8 I’ve not seen many optics that can rival it. The image is extremely uniform from center to corner resolution wise and I’ve never noticed any vignetting.

The IS version is definitely worth the added cost, you get 4 stop IS and improved optics over the non IS version. I’d pay even more for improved quality control at Canon, my first copy was obviously defective and about as sharp as a coke bottle at 70mm and close focus distances. Amazon exchanged it quickly and with no fuss. Kudos to them.

I bought this lens in anticipation of the coming 1Ds MkIII as its super hi-res telephoto zoom counter part. It also serves as an easier traveling companion than the f/2.8 IS version and it is slightly sharper at f/4-f/8. However; when you need f/2.8… I reach for the 85mm f/1.2L :-) “ – Jammy (USA)

• “This is a great lens, and worth every penny. The color and sharpness is amazing, even at f4. The IS is worth the doubling of the price as when you are out at 200mm you sometimes need to cut the speed down below 1/200 and the IS saves some shots that would have blurred. I would say you could go down to the 2.8 f lens, but that one is simply too big and heavy (nearly twice the size/weight of this lens) for my taste. This lens is great, and still compact enough that you can leave it on the camera.

I also have a portrait lens (f1.8 85mm) and everyday lens (f4L IS 24-105) that are great, but I still use this lens a ton. I primarily end up using when I want to get tight and not influence the scene (animals & kids) as you tend to need to invade people’s space to get a tight shot with the other 2 lenses. This lens really does great with kids shots as you can stay back and still get great closeup shots. I posted a few sample pictures so you can judge for yourself.

Of all my lenses, this one takes the most consistently impressive shots. I love my f1.8 portrait lens, but much harder to get to the “money shot” with that lens. It’s hard to get a bad shot with this lens, especially outside. “ – A.Corsi (GA,USA)

 

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