Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens Imported
Retaining the excellent performance at maximum aperture of the much larger f/2.8L but in a much smaller and more travel-friendly size, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens is a professional zoom telephoto suitable for a broad range of applications from sports to portraiture. It is fully compatible with the Extender EF 1.4x II and 2x II teleconverters (requires f/8 AF sensitivity with EF 2x II).
Like every autofocus Canon "L" lens, the EF 70-200mm f/4L delivers optical performance equal to similar fixed focal length lenses, with silent, high-speed focusing and full-time manual focus override capacity. Distortions and aberrations are remarkably small for a lens of such capability. This lens combines 1 artificial fluorite element with 2 UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) elements to help achieve images free of secondary spectrum aberrations, which are often the bane of consumer-grade telephoto zooms. It is light enough to not need a tripod collar (86% lighter than the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L), but for handling purposes there is an optional tripod collar.
The 70-200's minimum focusing distance is 3.9' (1.2m) throughout its entire range of focal lengths, and it accepts 67mm screw-in filters.
Note! This lens does not have seals for water and dust resistance.
- An autofocus telephoto zoom lens for both film and digital cameras
- Excellent f/4 maximum aperture performance at all focal lengths
- Fast, silent autofocus with full-time manual focus override
- Uses 1 fluorite and 2 UD (Ultra-low Dispersion)elements to help control secondary spectrum aberrations
- Internal zooming and focusing
- Uses 67mm filters
Go To
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 70 - 200 mm |
| Aperture |
Maximum: f/4 Minimum: f/32 |
| Camera Mount Type | Canon EF |
| Format Compatibility |
35mm Film / Full-Frame Digital Sensor Canon (APS-C) |
| Angle of View | 34° - 12° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 3.9' (1 m) |
| Magnification | 0.21x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:4.76 |
| Groups/Elements | 13/16 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 8 |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | Yes |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread | 67 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 3.0 x 6.8" (7.62 x 17.27 cm) |
| Weight | 1.55 lb (705 g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 530 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
99%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus (526)
- Strong construction (361)
- Consistent output (310)
- Durable (301)
- Lightweight (292)
Cons
- Poor in low light (64)
- Heavy (51)
- Slow focus (9)
- Weak casing (5)
- Blurry focus (4)
Best Uses
- Sports/action (313)
- Landscape/scenery (178)
- Wildlife photos (163)
- General purpose (132)
- Wildlife (120)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (135), Enthusiast (109), Semi-pro photographer (86), Semi-professional (64), Pro photographer (40)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (155), Yes (12)
Most Liked Positive Review
A wonderful lens
I have to say, "Wow I love this lens."
I'd recommend this lens for three kinds of people:
1) People who want to get a tas...Read complete review
I have to say, "Wow I love this lens."
I'd recommend this lens for three kinds of people:
1) People who want to get a taste of the L-series lenses who need a lens in the 70-200mm focal length relatively inexpensively;
2) People who already own the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens who have to lug that huge thing around for a long time;
3) People who want a L-series 70-200mm lens who don't NEED f/2.8 or IS.
Call me a wimp, but shooting 1000-2000 shots a day in the field with the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS gets tiring, especially if you're hand-holding. This lens is relatively inexpensive for being L-series glass, the difference in optical quality is almost imperceptible from the f/2.8, and it's sturdy and ergonomic enough to use all day long.
When I plan on shooting the whole day, especially over the course of several days, this is the lens I take with me, NOT the f/2.8 IS. It's shorter, narrower, and lighter. While you may not feel the difference when shooting for a couple of hours, take two people of equal endurance and strength and give them the f/4 and f/2.8 IS and send them out for a day and you know who is going to come back with the sore arms when the day is over.
On a 1.6x FOVCF body, the 70-200mm focal range makes this lens a little tight; but at 1.3x or 1.0x FOVCF, this focal length range is quite awesome. When I travel, I like to pair this lens with the 17-40mm f/4 and use my feet to fill the gap between 40 and 70mm (I also take along el-cheapo 50mm f/1.8 so I can shoot in low light, and the 1.4x teleconverter to give myself an effective 450mm reach) -- all of this is a good, lightweight, relatively inexpensive package. Also, while being quite a chunk of pocket change, this lens is nowhere near as expensive as the f/2.8 versions, and so it's a lot less of something to worry about when traveling or shooting under adverse conditions.
As so far, I have found NOTHING that I do not like about this lens (well, except for the one-stop loss from f/2.8).
I have to say that if you are looking for a single lens to do General Purpose work, this is not it. This lens is for specfic purposes. This lens works best as one-half of a pair, taking the upper useful focal lengths, while you use something like the 17-40mm f/4L or the 24-70mm f/2.8L to handle lower range of focal lengths. If you're looking for a carry-everywhere never-change lens, try the 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens. It's a great value, the focal length range is in the sweet spot, and the optics are not bad.
Otherwise, if you fit into one of the three categories at the beginning of this post, I would highly recommend this lens to you.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Great Lens for The Price - Is not Fast
This is an excellent lens for the price. Be aware that the lack of image stabilization and the maximum aperture of f/4.0 makes it only ideal for very well lit places where capturing action...Read complete review
This is an excellent lens for the price. Be aware that the lack of image stabilization and the maximum aperture of f/4.0 makes it only ideal for very well lit places where capturing action is not required.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 530 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Poor in Low Light
Best Uses
- All outdoor photography
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens:
I love this lens. Of course it would be better if I could afford to buy the IS and the 2.8 version, but for the money you can't beat it! I just got mine a couple of weeks ago, and can't wait to use it in an upcoming wedding! I didn't have a good zoom lens, it has made my life as a photographer much easier! It took me a minute to get used to it not having IS but it seemed to be a natural transition! I am pretty sure this will become my favorite lens until I can upgrade! I read a lot of reviews before I purchased this lens so I knew what I was getting when I bought it. It isn't great in low light, but I have other lenses for that! Do your homework and you will know what you are getting!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens:
Incredible pictures light weight best lens on the market for the price hands down.
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens:
Looks. Great attached to my camera, excellent quality of photos. The automatic focus is nice, for the size of the lens it's relatively light weight. You must buy!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Optical performance
Cons
- Missing Tripod mount
Best Uses
- General Purpose
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens:
Introduced way back in 1999 and updated in late 2006 with IS, the Canon EF 70-200 f/4 USM is almost a classic. The lens, made of 20 elements in 15 groups, has a field-of-view equivalent of 116-320mm on APS-C cameras. It does not extend while focusing, and the front element does not rotate. Photographers can use the EF 1.4x and the EF 2x converters, resulting in 98-280mm at f/5.6 and 140-400mm at f/8 on full format cameras. However, the later will not support AF on consumer grade DSLRs due to the small maximum aperture.
The level of distortions is very low at all focal lengths, and vignetting is very well controlled. Resolution is excellent in the center and in the border area at 70, 135, and 200 mm, and chromatic aberrations are not relevant under field conditions. The Canon EF 70-200 f/4 USM delivers on all fronts, and the performance is almost flawless.
The only point of critic that comes to mind is related to a dedicated tripod mount, or the lack thereof (it is available as an additional item, but not included in the package). However, considering the price point, this lens is perhaps one of the best bargains on the market.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
- Poor in Low Light
Best Uses
- Sports/Action
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens:
I am a hobbyist. I replaced my canon 75-300mm lens with this and it was a wise decision. Image quality is excellent, very sharp. Focusing is great. I will recommend this lens to whoever is skilled hobbyist or semi-professional
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Poor in Low Light
Best Uses
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens:
I didn't use this lens too much and hard to give a fully review. But after a test recently, I found the original canon factory L lens are really quality proved. The story began from a new 70 200 lens I bought for my friend. When I got the new lens, I immediately compared the optical quality with my old 70-200 f4 and it turn out to be exactly the same. According to the manufactory # on the body of the lens, Canon produced 200,000 ef 70-200 f4 after the old one I own and before the new one came out. It really surprised me how things can be so precisely duplicated over such a long time and the quality of the old lens doesn't drop at all. So now it makes sense that L lens usually keep the price no matter how many years it has been used. Just amazing.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Poor in Low Light
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens:
I purchased this lens as a first step in upgrading all my glass to L series. It is undoubtedly amazing and now has me addicted. Is it as good in low light as the f4 IS or f2.8? No. But pair it with a body that handles high ISOs well and you're golden. You need to think hard about the benefits of the 70-200mm counterparts and whether or not the benefits match your needs and bank account. It is UNBELIEVABLY sharp throughtout the whole f stop range and zoom range. Solid build, amazing mechanics, quick-to-focus, the list is endless. I would wholly recommend this be a part of any Canon enthusiasts line-up, beginner to professional.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by SamueLS7
126mm, f/7.1, ISO 200, 1/400s
Images shared by SamueLS7
200mm, f/4, ISO 3200, 1/80s
(5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)
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Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens:
I bought this for taking those close-up action shots and to capture a special smile from my kids when they think I am not near enough to take a normal picture. And, it is great to capture a redbird or other small creatures at a moment's notice. It is a very good lens. The only issue is the size which requires a larger bag but for pictures I want, it is well worth it.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Poor in Low Light
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens:
I am a professional photographer, and have used this lens for various events from weddings to sports events. I have used it on random photo walks, and it performs amazingly. It is obviously a bit heavy, but that is expected with what it offers. Being the cheapest of the 70-200 line, it still performs beyond expectations. I have found no flaw in this lens by far.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Sports/Action
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens:
This lens is great for the price, it gives very sharp images. I´m using it in a 7D body and i´m geting a good wheith balance betwin lens and boby.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
Cons
Best Uses
- Sports/Action
Comments about Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens:
It was a great gift I gave to my daughter
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Sports/Action
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens:
so far I don´t miss the IS. great for value, sharp and fast enough for outdoor daylight. great for video too. I used with the 7D for video and pics.
it is not slow at all if you use 3200 ore 6400 iso.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- No IS
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens:
With the present rebate, you must have this lens.
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Rugged
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens:
Provided the magnification I needed at a reasonable price for a professional lens.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens:
I really don't understand why I waited so long to invest in the Canon`s L series lens. Outstanding. Completely satisfied with this lens. It has become my favorite lens and doesn't leave the camera now.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Poor in Low Light
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens:
I was considering either buying this or the IS version, I'm glad with my purchase!
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
Cons
- Poor in Low Light
Best Uses
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens:
This is my first L lens since I switched to Canon's 5DMKII, it is well built, easy handling, compact size( for tele zooms), and absolutely sharp images!
However it is somehow slow for non-bright day or indoor, you will be always needing a nice flash to company with this guy. But for this price, it is really good, I like it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Sports/Action
Comments about Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens:
Use for portait AND sports
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Weak Casing
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Night Photography
- Sports/Action
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens:
I am enjoying this product a lot, it is helping me at my work great deal.
With much appreciation,
Baira
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens:
Takes great pictures. I use it for everyday use and business.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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What's in the Box
- 67mm Snap-On Lens Cap
- Lens Dust Cap E (Rear)
- ET-74 Lens Hood
- LP1224 Lens Case
- 1 Year Warranty
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