Every Canon EF Lens: Read the Reviews, See the Specification & Check the Price
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Overview

The original 70-200 without image stabilisation is an excellent quality lens - performance is on a par with modern versions, if the IS is not an essential feature. Note that this version does not have the degree of weather sealing offered with the IS version.

Available from: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | B&H | Adorama

Lens specifications

Focal Length & Maximum Aperture 70-200mm 1:2.8
Lens Construction 18 elements in 15 groups
Diagonal Angle of View 34° - 12°
Focus Adjustment Inner focusing system with USM
Closest Focusing Distance 1.5m / 4.9 ft.
Zoom System Rotating Type
Filter Size 77mm
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight 3.3" x 7.6", 2.9 lbs. / 84.6mm x 193.6mm, 1310g

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM telephoto zoom lens block diagram

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM telephoto zoom lens 70mm mtf chart Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM telephoto zoom lens 200mm mtf chart

A quick guide to MTF charts (which only measure contrast and resolution. Canon's guide to their MTF charts)

Black lines reflect lens performance at widest aperture.
Blue lines show the performance at f/8

Thick lines indicate lens contrast
Thin lines indicate lens resolution

Dashed lines: Lens performance with meridional lines.
Solid lines: Lens performance with sagittal lines

Closer sagittal and meridional chart lines indicate more 'natural' out of focus areas.

Remember that MTF charts are good for comparing similar lenses, so comparing ones from the 14mm f2.8L and 300mm 2.8L won't tell you much at all, whilst comparing the EF14 2.8L with the EF14 2.8L II will show meaningful differences. Note that other manufacturers may have different ways of displaying such information that may or may not match up with the Canon figures.

EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM reviews and articles

Written a review? Contact us and we'll add it to the list.

Sample images

None available.

Product launch

No information available on the 1995 launch of this lens.

Used Canon Lenses
• UK: MPB | Park
• USA: B&H | Adorama
Every Canon EF Lens: Read the Reviews, See the Specification & Check the Price
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