Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS L M2

[Overread]

The big new shiny lens is here!!!!! :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

Ok ok party over lets get down to things and what we get *will probably take some pics at some point maybe *.

First of packaging, yes lets talk about the packaging - this lens comes with a full 1 inch of stiff packing foam around each end and side - that means a far bigger box than the original and a far more secure package. And this thick packing is even more added to with a good half an inch more packing around the lens itself inside its fabric case. This package could take a serious dent and still deliver in good condition!

Opening the lens up we see very little difference to the first version of this lens, in fact you could put the two next to each other and not be able to tell the difference. Body of the lens is exactly the same with regard to switches and markings, only a little II has added onto the lens name on the barrel and the rubber on the zoom and focusing wheels feels improved; a bit stiffer and more grippy.
The major improvement though is the lens hood - this has stepped up a level. First the plastic is thicker and more sturdy, the finish on the outside is also matt instead of shiny and so less likley to take scuffs and marks. Also the (probably worst part of the original lens) mount itself is more secure and sturdy (it no longer feels like it will break) and the hood has a clip function to help lock it into place.

Overall then not much change over the original, save with the improved hood design.


Onto the lens itself and the first time I mounted this lens to fire I got a shock - a big one! Having set the IS to on and held down the shutter button I couldn't hear the IS starting up. I was worried, flicked the IS on/off switch a few times and tried again. Still nothing! Did my new lens have a broken IS?

Thankfully no! But I now have to place my ear right up to the lens to really hear the soft whirring of the IS working its magic. This is a big step up from the original where, whilst it was not horribly loud, it was still audible. Now its truly as quiet as the fast USM focusing.

Test shots and stuff - not really done any yet I'll edit some proper ones in once I have them. But early views all the same:
1) Its sharp - really sharp and the IS works a treat!
2) With a 2*TC it also appears to retain a lot of sharpness - for me this is where the real difference in glass shows - as I push it to the extremes. I'll do some proper test shots but suffice to say I can already see an optical improvement over the original here!

 

[ifi]

Congratulations

Can't wait to see the images.

 

[sovietdoc]

Gratz on your new lens. Top notch sharpness and quality is kinda what I'd expect from a $2500 dollar lens..

 

[Derrel]

Ohhh,oohhhh,ooohhhh, can we please hear more about the packaging? Pretty please?
:lol

Enjoy that new lens feeling!

 

[Overread]

Well I didn't get out so had to suffice with some indoor out of the window shots in less than ideal lighting (well for the 400mm part at least). The below have no sharpening or editing save basic RAW conversion done to them.

Warning really boring shots to follow:

At 70mm

Taken handheld with IS on.
f2.8, ISO 100, 1/100sec

Note Vignetting in the top left corner is not a property of this lens but the small window I was shooting out of at an odd angle.

Large: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4757683641_e815d50c50_b.jpg
Fullsize: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4757683641_bc72a206db_o.jpg

At 400mm (plus 2*teleconverter)

Taken handheld with IS on.
f8, ISO 100, 1/160sec

Taken with the Canon 02*teleconverter - note shutter speed is not ideal even with the 4 stop IS helping things out!

Large: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4757724355_4f8f4e01b8_b.jpg
Fullsize: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4757724355_e86814fef2_o.jpg

The set with more tests and stuff

 

[cfusionpm]

I read a review or two mentioning harsh bokeh, but my copy didn't seem so (pics below). What do you think of yours, especially compared to the mkI?

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/4917/bokehcompare.jpg

http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/1268/bokehcompare2.jpg

 

[Overread]

Interesting tests - oh how I wish I had a little garden attached to this flat (you can only poke a long white lens out of the window so long before people give you odd looks )

Build and weight feel about the same on the lens, the hood (as I noted above ) is a massive improvement and whilst I've really not field tested it at all it feels far sharper than the original - this is especially noticeable even with light testing at the 400mm end with the 2*teleconverter.

As for harsh bokeh I've not shot enough with it to notice, but your tests seem good enough. Its a review comment that I suspect is more nitpicking or designed to at least give the reviewer something bad to talk about when they can't really find much else

 

[Overread]

Ohhh,oohhhh,ooohhhh, can we please hear more about the packaging? Pretty please?
:lol

Enjoy that new lens feeling!

When I get the motivation I'll take some nice pretty pics of the packaging - just for you :mrgreen::mrgreen:

 

[MrLogic]

There are some "bokeh" comparisons on the Fred Miranda forums. If you're satisfied with the quality of the BG blur of the Mk. 1 I wouldn't worry about it. The Mk. 2 is about as good in that respect, judging from those comparisons.

Some think the IS of the 70-200 IS II is a factor. So... as always... only turn it on when you actually need it.

 

[Overread]

Ok more interesting testshots!!

Taken with Canon 400D, Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS L M2 and 580EX2
f6.3, ISO 400, 1/200sec at 200mm

Full size for pixel peepers: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4777757310_4d9a7400c5_o.jpg
Note no editing was done to this shot save for RAW processing, where only white balance and minor brightness/exposure adjustments were made

For those who don't want to open the full size there is a 100% crop can be found here:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4777757572_684e5b5460_o.jpg

Taken with Canon 400D, Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS L M2 + canon 2*teleconverter
f7.1, ISO 800, 1/400sec at 365mm

Full size for pixel peepers: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4777129591_0bcfb67ec7_o.jpg
Note no editing was done to this shot save for RAW processing, where only white balance and minor brightness/exposure adjustments were made. Note the high ISO used as well which certainly is not helping things.

For those who don't want to open the full size there is a 100% crop can be found here:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4777771752_9d241c39ed_o.jpg

Taken with Canon 400D, Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS L M2 + canon 2*teleconverter at 400mm point
f7.1, ISO 400, 1/400sec

Full size for pixel peepers http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4777771288_15c999c89c_o.jpg
Note no editing was done to this shot save for RAW processing, where only white balance and minor brightness/exposure adjustments were made. Note the high ISO used as well which certainly is not helping things.

For those who don't want to open the full size there is a 100% crop can be found here:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4777136815_363e3a7648_b.jpg

OVERALL: I find that f7.1 is about the widest you can safly go with the 2*TC whilst still getting good sharpness, below that and things start to soften (esp at the 400mm point). However such is also the same with many other "superzoom" options like the 100-400mm; so shooting at around the f8 point was something I expected.
Also the ISO in these tests was not idea, 400 is passable, but ISO 800 and it starts to affect the shot as well.

Overall though its darn sharper at every focal range than the original and (whilst more ideal conditions and better shooting would help) those taken with the 2*TC are getting close to what I would call very usable results.

 

[AlexL]

This is so droolastic.

 

[Overread]

Certainly is!! I'd be interested though to hear of 100-400mm and 400mm f5.6 users views on this lenses performance - just in general as to how well it stands up to those lenses output.

 

[usayit]

Certainly is!! I'd be interested though to hear of 100-400mm and 400mm f5.6 users views on this lenses performance - just in general as to how well it stands up to those lenses output.

I've owned the 100-400L as well as the first version of the 70-200 f/2.8L IS. My feeling is that at similar focal lengths/apertures, the 70-200 does perform better. I would surmise that the MII version of the 70-200 f/2.8L IS takes this up a notch.

Its kinda difficult to compare the 70-200L MII to the 400mm f/5.6. So very different... 400mm focal length and prime vs zoom.

btw.. not saying the 100-400L is a bad lens... its actually a very good one. I sold my 70-200L and kept the 100-400L for its flexibility and range which is what I intended for my Canon. For faster glass, I'd prefer to give up on zooms and go with primes.


Congrats... judging from the test photos it looks to be a good performer (as best as I can se on web sized photos) I'm still waiting on Canon to update the 100-400L 10+year old design.

 

[Overread]

USA if you want to see larger just click the larger "pixel peeping" links below each photo and that takes you to the fullsize version

As for the 100-400mm yes I agree I've seen some impressive results from this lens, even in the 100-200mm range that were giving the original 70-200mm a run for its money. I do suspect that an update would produce some fantastic improvements - however I can't help but think that it would end up priced like the Nikon 200-400mm.