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Customer Reviews for EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Lightweight, compact L Series telephoto zoom lens with Image Stabilizer
Provides up to an incredible four stops of shake correction
Fluorite UD lens elements provides excellent optical performance
Water- and dust-proof construction
Average Customer Rating:
(33 Reviews) 33
Rating Snapshot (33 reviews)
5 stars
33
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
33 out of 33(100%)reviewers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Review 1 for EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Nickname: dugole
Location: central NJ
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
Unbelievable
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:June 12, 2013
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images, light weight
Absolutely an unbelievable lens. My previous Canon 70-200 was the f4 non-stablized - I liked it but didn't use it often because it needed a high shutter speed (at least 1/250) and the results weren't quite as sharp as I had hoped (date coded as 2005). Eight months ago I upgraded to the stablized version (date coded as 2011) and I fell in love with this lens. A much, much sharper image combined with the stabilization allows a shutter speed as low as 1/15 of a second.
This is an incredible lens and results in truly fine pictures - at any aperture there is virtually no distoration or CA and bokeh is also as nice as one can expect.
This is generally my go-to, general use lens and it took that designation away from my 17-40 "L". I use a crop sensor 7D. I will also use the 1.4 Canon extender and am able to still get great pictures.
Don't hesitate to buy this lens over the 2.8 - saves a lot of bucks!
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Review 2 for EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Nickname: Doctor
Location: Athens, Greece
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: No
Superb telephoto lens
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:January 19, 2013
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images, amazing is, very light, great bokeh
Cons: none really
Already owing the 70-200 F/2.8 IS mark II, i bought this lens as a lighter alternative to the big gun, to go to my second, lighter bag along with the 24-105 IS. And i was very surprised by its performance from day one.
First of all, it has half the weight of the 2.8 version. It is so light, you can't believe it is all glass and metal. The build quality is true L but it is so much lighter than the bigger brother... All controls have a very positive feel to them. The zoom and focus rings are so nice.
Then its the image quality. I am so pleased with this glass... It is really sharp, very contrasty and the colours are super. And the image stabilizer, a life saver when needed. I have very steady hands and have managed steady shots at 200mm and 1/5 of a second easily... The bokeh is very pleasant and gives good seperation. Not much difference from the 2.8.
Don't get me whong here, i really adore the 2.8 IS II and i think it is the best 70-200 ever made by anyone, but that lens had two downsides. Weight and price. This one has none. So, if you don't use F/2.8 all the time and want the best 70-200 for your money, go buy this one. You will not regret it, that's for sure! But if you need that extra f stop and can handle the weight, the IS II is the absolutely Best
First of all, it has half the weight of the 2.8 version. It is so light, you can't believe it is all glass and metal. The build quality is true L but it is so much lighter than the bigger brother... All controls have a very positive feel to them. The zoom and focus rings are so nice.
Then its the image quality. I am so pleased with this glass... It is really sharp, very contrasty and the colours are super. And the image stabilizer, a life saver when needed. I have very steady hands and have managed steady shots at 200mm and 1/5 of a second easily... The bokeh is very pleasant and gives good seperation. Not much difference from the 2.8.
Don't get me whong here, i really adore the 2.8 IS II and i think it is the best 70-200 ever made by anyone, but that lens had two downsides. Weight and price. This one has none. So, if you don't use F/2.8 all the time and want the best 70-200 for your money, go buy this one. You will not regret it, that's for sure! But if you need that extra f stop and can handle the weight, the IS II is the absolutely Best
21 of 21 people found this review helpful.
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Review 3 for EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Nickname: Patrick
Location: Ohio Valley
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: No
My go to Lens.
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:October 8, 2012
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
Simply put this lens is crystal clear, lightweight and a perfect go to lens when only a quality print will due. I am totally happy with the addition of the 70-200 L. I also have the 24-105 and 100-400 L's to compare from.
11 of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Review 4 for EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Nickname: Pradeep
Location: Cambridge, MA
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Portraits
A Classic lens in EF-lineup.
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:August 16, 2012
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
This is my first L series lens and it took a couple of days for me to get a handle of it. Once we get used to the weight of the lens and feel comfortable, this glass soon becomes our friend. The AF is very fast and quiet, and the IS is very handy. You can actually see that the IS is operational through the view finder. The image tends to become more stable. There is a slight noise when IS is operational. The IS is still on for about 1-2 seconds after pressing the shutter button completely. This is a good feature when you want to quickly capture another shot of the same scene.
I used it mostly for portraits and I am very much satisfied with its performance. At 200 mm and f/8, it gives some amazing results. Additionally, under good lighting conditions, the image quality in terms of colors and sharpness is so great that you cannot stop shooting!
Wide open at f/4, with APS-C body, the image is slightly soft, but that is because of very sharp and narrow DOF, and any slight moment will become visible at 100% crop.
This is a good lens for landscapes too. The color quality is exceptional. Overall, this lens is a valuable addition, and definitely worth the dollar you invest.
13 of 14 people found this review helpful.
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Review 5 for EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Nickname: RandyB
Location: California
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Business
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
Fantastic lens
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:July 3, 2012
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images, doens't change during zoom
I couldn't decide between it and the non IS version. I finally decided to get this one because it's been updated from the older non IS version with better glass. The reviews said this lens is very sharp from f4 up and even to the edges at f4. Wow is it! It's also sharp through out the zoom range.
I wasn't sure the IS was worth the extra, but this is a newer IS compared to some of my older lens and works much better. It is much more useful then the older IS lenses are.
Another big plus to this lens is that it does not change length when you zoom. When a lens changes length it's acting like a bellows and sucking in dirt. I love that this lens does not change length when you zoom.
Overall I am super happy with this lens. I just wish it were a little cheaper. In this review the form ask where you use it most. There should be an "all of the above."
10 of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Review 6 for EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Nickname: undrgnd40
Location: Minnesota
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: No
Excellent Tele-Zoom
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:November 21, 2011
Pros: image quality, lightweight
I enjoy using this lens for outdoor portrait photography, some wildlife and selective landscape photography. I've had many good indoor shots as well. The autofocus is fast and silent, the image sharpness is INCREDIBLE. The most surprising feature is how lightweight this lens is, despite feeling well built. At half the weight of the f/2.8 version, this one is easily handheld. Use a 1.4x or 2x extender for longer range. I also like the included lens hood.
48 of 48 people found this review helpful.
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Review 7 for EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Nickname: Michgirl
Location: Michigan
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: Yes
Love this lens ` my first L
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:August 8, 2011
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
Cons: a little pricey
I debated for a long time before shelling out this much on s lens. But I love it, the quality, the vbuild, the feel. Absolutely love the IS; have gotten some great deer pics at sunset. Astonishing, Recently was taking my grandson's Senior Pix and threw this lens on at the end and thought "this is why I love this lens,"
9 of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Review 8 for EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Nickname: Jim
Location: Illinois
A truly outstanding lens
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:July 26, 2011
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
Cons: price
The image quality is impeccable from wide-open to stopped down, center to corner. It rivals Canon's primes at comparable focal lengths.
Only downside is that it's expensive but truly worth the price.
8 of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Review 9 for EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Nickname: BD
Location: New York City
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
Extraordinary Lens
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:July 9, 2011
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images, creme de le crop
I have been a member of the Canon system for over 25 years. My first purchase was the Canon A1 camera. I graduated to the excellent Canon F1 and shot film with FD primes for years. For some time now, I have been a member of the digital age. I have always compared my current lenses to the old FD line. I recently purchased the new 70-200 f/4 IS USM L lens and have repeatedly been blown away by it's image quality, rugged design and super fast ultrasonic focusing ability. This lens delivers sharp, contrast rich images on a routine basis. The image stabilization is an excellent addition to this powerhouse product. It will provide you with the ability to capture your images at an incredible four stop advantage. It is much lighter and in my opinion sharper than it's brother 2.8 version. If your an action sports photographer go with the 2.8 version. Everyone else run to your nearest Canon authorized dealer and purchase this lens. You will not be disappointing. I am Proud to be a member of the Canon 70-200 f/4 IS USM L lens family, this lens is worth it's weight in Gold.
50 of 51 people found this review helpful.
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Review 10 for EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Nickname: Nate
Location: Valley Center, CA
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
Best Purchase Ever
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:July 3, 2011
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images, white, perfect ergonomics, 4-stop is, comes with leather pouch for storing
The perfect lens. Sharp at all focal lengths and all apertures. It's funny... At f/22 where most lenses would be very, very soft, this lens is still unbelievably sharp. The IS on this lens is very helpful. At 200mm turning the is off pretty much means I won't get a sharp shot 80 percent of the time, especially with my aps-c body. Just do yourself a favor and buy this lens.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Review 11 for EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Nickname: gtwhtgt
Location: Shreveport, La.
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Sports
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: No
Great Lens
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:June 18, 2011
Pros: Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
You can see the difference as soon as you put his lens on your camera. Everything is better. If you get one start saving for the next because you'll now be hooked on the "L"'s. Great for portraits or just about anything. Can't get the wife to take it off the camera, she thinks it was an original accessory and it has to stay on it. A major reason for lens envey from your peers and much lighter than the faster version.
3 of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Review 12 for EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Nickname: grandpawrichard
Location: Burlington, WA.
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: Yes
Absolutely Great Lens!
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:March 22, 2011
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images, tack sharp exposures from 70 all the way to 200
I have owned this lens for about 3 years now and I am never disappointed in the results I get with it! Even with a 1.4X Extender you can get absolutely tack sharp photos!
You can mount this lens on a camera and wear it around your neck all day long without discomfort!
Great versatility with this lens all at a reasonable price for an L Series lens!
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Review 13 for EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Nickname: dpetjr
Location: Brandon FL
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Mostly used for: Travel
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: No
Excellent Lens
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:February 9, 2011
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
I purchased this lens for a European River Cruise over Christmas and New Year's. The results were outstanding. I am not a pro, but the night shots and the 200mm shots of castles along the Rhine were fantastic. Another photo-enthusiast was particularly impressed with the telephoto night shots. Great lens for the money and very lightweight.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Review 14 for EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Nickname: Marusya
Location: Arizona
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: No
So crisp. Great lens.
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:February 9, 2011
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
Cons: none
My most recent purchase and I love it. It is undoubtedly the best lens I own. Very clear and crisp. I know it will be the most used in my bag.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Review 15 for EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Nickname: Ron in AZ
Location: Arizona
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
Tack Sharp Lens
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:January 15, 2011
Pros: exceptionally sharp, well balanced, solid feeling lens, quick focusing, wonderful color remdition
Cons: expensive
I traded a 200mm F/2.8 L lens (and a few $$ additional) for this lens. I thought the 200 F/2.8 was sharp, but this lens is even sharper and at all focal lengths. It balances well on my D-7 camera body. The IS works great. I have been able to take available light shots at 1/80 at F/4 at ISO 6400 and get exceptionally sharp images. Unless you really need the extra stop choose the 70-200 F/4 L over the 70-200 F/2.8 L and save some money and drop some weight.
21 of 22 people found this review helpful.
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Review 16 for EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Nickname: Nate
Location: Alexandria, VA
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Product replacement: Yes
A huge upgrade.
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:August 4, 2010
Pros: super sharp images, rugged, is works!, beautiful bokeh, very sharp dof
Cons: is is a little pricey
I have a rebel XS, yes I know, that's the entry level DSLR. I was using the 75-300 USM kit lens to take tele shots. I would use it for everything from compression of DoF and Images to the moon. That lens is NEVER sharp! I thought it was me for quite a while and I would avoid using it because it made me think that I was doing something wrong. So I tried this lens out and then immediately bought it because I was so satisfied. I contemplated over the non-is and the 2.8 IS/not, but I think that this is the best value if price is a concern. The IS REALLY works! I was skeptical, but I can assure you that if you 'try' you can pull off .3 second exposures hand held(that is the limit IMO). The images are many magnitudes sharper than the 75-300. Turns out I was doing everything right, but the lens was the limiting factor. If you are on the fence about whether or not to buy a 70-300. get it! on a cropped body it's a 112mm which will compete with a 135L ƒ2 for sharpness and even give you 320mm on the long end for more tele than you 'paid for'. On a FF I'm sure it will be even better. This is my first L glass and I think that I will be sticking to this series now that I see how much of a difference it makes. I have a 5d2 and a 24-105 on the way :D.
P.S. In my opinion the secret is the lenses, not the bodies. What do I know though I shoot an XS with incredible results. :D
28 of 32 people found this review helpful.
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Review 17 for EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Nickname: Toto
Location: Maryland
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: No
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:July 20, 2010
Pros: fast auto-focus super-sharp images superior buil
I have this lens for over 6 months now and never been disappointed. The pictures are very sharp. Beautiful. There were times when I get blurry pictures but it's I who’s at fault. 99% of the time, I shoot available light – both indoor and outdoor. I wish to have the f2.8L version. I loved it but because of the weight which is a big factor for me – decided to reject it. I am not a big person and I agonized between getting the f/2.8L or the f/4L. So I rented the 2.8L. Carried it with me for one day. Carrying it around was not that big deal (although my neck hurts since I have the camera strap around my neck) – but shooting with one arm cradling without support, tires me easily (the weight of this baby alone is equivalent to the camera body I was using with hand grip attached, 2 batteries and the f/4L IS). Since then, I have never looked back….
36 of 37 people found this review helpful.
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Review 18 for EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Nickname: J.R.
Location: Hickory, NC
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: No
Great Purchase
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:March 5, 2010
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
I have wanted this lens for quite sometime but I will admit, the price was what was keeping me from making the purchase. After much thought and prayer I ordered it. What a great lens. Pictures are excellent. It's everything every review says it is. This is my first "L" series lens. It has been my main lens since I purchased it. I mainly photograph exterior landscape pictures and I am amazed at the quality of the pictures this lens produces. At 200mm, pictures are clear and sharp. If you are weighing the purchase as I did and if you can swing the price, you will not regret it at all.
47 of 49 people found this review helpful.
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Review 19 for EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Nickname: Peej Studio
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: Yes
My New Favorite Lens
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:January 9, 2010
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images
When I bought this lens, it had only been snowy, gray days. So, I was waiting for a really good chance to test it out. Well, I was shoveling a path to my car, and out of nowhere a hawk swooped out of the sky and grabbed another flying bird right in front of my face. I ran inside and grabbed my 7D with this lens.
Result...amazingly crisp pictures. The autofocus was spot on and almost instantaneous! It was snowing and freezing cold...so, of course, I love the weather sealing.
19 of 20 people found this review helpful.
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Review 20 for EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Nickname: Roman L
Location: Brooklyn NY
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Product replacement: Yes
Get This lens and you will be happy!!!!
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:January 3, 2010
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images, durable
Such amazing lens i love the sharpness i tried to compare two lenses F2.8 and F4 and to tell you the truth F4 have much sharper images! perfect for portrait nature and any kind of photography!!!
weights 3 times less then 2.8 and gives you much more than 2.8. less expensive and sharper!!!
IS works amazingly good!!!Autofocus is really fast and lens by itself have metal housing sealed good from dust and water.Comes with case and hood. if you are thinking about purchasing 70-200mm get F4.0!!! i tried both and 4.0 is newer and better!!! By the way in Low light works perfect! add some Iso And You are good!!!
TOTALLY LOVE THIS ONE!!!
weights 3 times less then 2.8 and gives you much more than 2.8. less expensive and sharper!!!
IS works amazingly good!!!Autofocus is really fast and lens by itself have metal housing sealed good from dust and water.Comes with case and hood. if you are thinking about purchasing 70-200mm get F4.0!!! i tried both and 4.0 is newer and better!!! By the way in Low light works perfect! add some Iso And You are good!!!
TOTALLY LOVE THIS ONE!!!
39 of 39 people found this review helpful.
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