beepclick's reviews

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

This lens continues to amaze me. Even though it's a little long on a crop body (XTi & 40D) I find it's the lens I use the most, even when I just going out for a 'walkabout'.

With this lens, I know if I encounter a special shooting opportunity, this lens will deliver.

I can shoot handheld at 1/15, and my hands are n ot that steady.

Focus is fast, almost as fast as my 135L. It never hunts back and forth through the zoom range. The focus limiter switch probably helps in this regard.

Some people have complained that this lens isn't at it's best at minimum focus distance and F/4. Just take a step or two back, to 7 or 8 feet, and it's fine. I rarely shoot at minimum focus distance.

I do wish Canon would either make the lens hood white to match the lens, or make the lens black to match the hood. I think my 135 F/2L looks better, with it's black color/black hood, on my gripped 40D, but once you see the images the 70-200 produces, you realize it could be bright purple and you would still use it every chance.

Highly recommended. It will last a lifetime. I am looking forward to shooting with it on the 5D Mark II, if my pre-order ever arrives.