Canon EF 70-200mm 1:2.8 L IS II USM Review

 The EF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS II USM was announced in January 2010 as a replacement for Canon's fast image-stabilized telephoto zoom, the EF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM, which dates from 2001. With the rapid increase in SLR sensor pixel counts placing lenses' optical qualities under ever finer scrutiny, the company clearly felt it was time for an update for this professional workhorse, and has revamped the design accordingly. In the process, it claims to have improved almost every aspect of the lens, including the optics, autofocus, image stabilization, and the mechanical design.

The optical formula is suitably complex - 23 elements in 19 groups - and includes no fewer than five ultra-low dispersion (UD) glass elements, plus one made from fluorite, to minimize chromatic aberration. The minimum focus distance has been decreased giving improved maximum magnification, the IS system updated to give a claimed 4 stops of stabilization, and the autofocus system revised to meet the demands of Canon's latest fast, high-resolution DSLRs such as the EOS-1D Mark IV. The lens is also, as is usual for Canon's L series optics, fully sealed against dust and water.

Of course all this comes at a considerable price - as usual with a new release, the 'II' lens commands a hefty premium over the previous version of the lens, which also makes it around four times as expensive as its (non-image stabilized) third party rivals from the likes of Sigma and Tamron. Indeed with an introductory price well over the $2000 mark, many potential upgraders will surely be wondering whether the improvements can possibly be worth the money. Over the next few pages we'll do our best to find out.

Headline features

• 70-200mm focal length range; fast F2.8 constant maximum aperture
• Optical image stabilization – 4 stops
• Ring-type USM focusing with full-time manual override
• EF mount for Canon 35mm full-frame and APS-C DSLRS

Angle of view

The pictures below illustrate the focal length range from wide to telephoto, on 35mm full-frame and APS-C camera bodies:

70mm (full frame)	200mm (full frame)

70mm (APS-C; 112mm equivalent)	200mm (APS-C; 320mm equivalent)

Canon EF 70-200mm 1:2.8 L IS II USM specifications

Maximum format size	35mm full frame
Focal length	70-200mm
35mm equivalent focal length (APS-C)	112-320mm
Diagonal Angle of view (FF)	34º - 12º
Diagonal Angle of view (APS-C)	23º - 8º
Maximum aperture	F2.8
Minimum aperture	F32
Lens Construction	• 23 elements/19 groups • 5 UD elements • 1 Fluorite element
Number of diaphragm blades	8, rounded
Minimum focus	1.2m
Maximum magnification	0.21x at 200mm
AF motor type	• Ring-type Ultrasonic Motor • Full-time manual focus
Focus method	Internal
Zoom method	Internal
Image stabilization	• 4 stops claimed • Dual mode - Normal and panning
Filter thread	• 77mm • Does not rotate on focus
Supplied accessories	• Front and rear caps • ET-87 Hood • LZ1324 Soft Case
Weight	1490 g (3.3 lb)
Dimensions	89 mm diameter x 199 mm length (3.5 x 7.8 in)
Lens Mount	Canon EF only
Other	Dust and moisture resistant Supplies distance information for E-TTL II flash metering