Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 USM L - Full Format Review / Test Report - Sample Images & Verdict
Lens Reviews - Canon EOS (Full Format)
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Introduction
Analysis
Sample Images & Verdict

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Sample Images

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Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 70.0mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure 1/500s
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 85.0mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure 1/1000s
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 200.0mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure 1/1000s
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 200.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/2000s
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 110.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/3200s
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 140.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/2000s
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 200.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/3200s
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 200.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/1000s
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 70.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/2500s
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 120.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/3200s
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 200.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/2500s
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 200.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/2000s

Verdict

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 USM L may be one of the oldest lenses in the Canon lineup by now but it is still an impressive one. The produced images are very sharp at all focal length across the relevant aperture range. The high resolution is also supported by low lateral CAs. You will notice some vignetting at max. aperture but this is about in line to what we've seen from other lenses in this class here. The Canon lens produces some slight barrel to moderate pincushion distortions which is probably no big deal for the typical applications of such a lens. Unfortunately the bokeh (quality of the out-of-focus blur) is not without flaws - the non-circular aperture blade design gets obvious in out-of-focus highlights when stopping down and the background blur can be nervous at times. There's also a bit of bokeh fringing but really nothing out-of-the-ordinary.

Typical for most L-class lenses there's little to complain regarding its mechanical qualities. It is build like a tank and suitable for tough professional work. Unlike its successors it does not feature a weather sealing though. The ring-type USM is still top-notch in terms of speed and low operational noise - it is hardly surprising that this lens was and still is a workhorse among sports photographers. Another positive aspect of the lens is its pricing. At just a little more than a grand (EUR/US$) it is certainly not cheap in absolute terms but it's still affordable compared to its insanely expensive (but slightly superior) IS counterpart.

Optical Quality:    
Mechanical Quality:
Price/Performance:
      
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