The EF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS Two USM was announced in January 2010 as a replacement for Catechism's fast image-stabilized telephoto zoom, the EF 70-200mm F2.eight 50 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 take improved almost every attribute of the lens, including the optics, autofocus, image stabilization, and the mechanical blueprint.

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

Of course all this comes at a considerable price - as usual with a new release, the 'Two' lens commands a hefty premium over the previous version of the lens, which also makes information technology around four times as expensive as its (not-prototype stabilized) tertiary political party rivals from the likes of Sigma and Tamron. Indeed with an introductory price well over the $2000 marker, many potential upgraders will surely exist wondering whether the improvements tin possibly be worth the money. Over the next few pages we'll practise our best to observe out.

Headline features

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

Angle of view

The pictures beneath 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:two.8 Fifty IS II USM specifications

Price • US: $2500
• Great britain: £2200
Date introduced January 2010
Maximum format size 35mm total frame
Focal length 70-200mm
35mm equivalent focal length
(APS-C)		 112-320mm
Diagonal Angle of view (FF) 34º - 12º
Diagonal Bending of view (APS-C) 23º - 8º
Maximum aperture F2.8
Minimum aperture F32
Lens Construction • 23 elements/nineteen groups
• v 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-fourth dimension manual focus
Focus method Internal
Zoom method Internal
Prototype stabilization • iv 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 thou (three.3 lb)
Dimensions 89 mm diameter x 199 mm length
(3.v ten vii.eight in)
Lens Mount Catechism EF only
Other Grit and moisture resistant
Supplies distance information for E-TTL Ii wink metering

* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area