Fotografie: Canon EF 4.0/70-200 L USM Hands on Review

Copyright by Michael Bockhorst 03 06 06 - 20:51

Procedure of decision makin

What is my style of taking photos? Walk around with one camera and one lens and - if possible - without any further equipment. What is a fully equipped bag with 5 lenses and 3 bodies and a weight of 15 kilograms worth if you don't take it with you?!
I have experience with fixed focals but they are rare, heavy, expensive and changing the lens allows dust to settle on the CMOS sensor.

The following criteria have to be fulfilled (first is most important):

1. optical quality is my first concern
2. reasonable maximum aperature for low light level conditions
3. reasonable minimum focus distance at maximum focal length
4. reasonable zoom range, which makes the lens a versatile tool
5. monolithic construction, means: no extension during focusing or zooming
6. good mechanical stability and smooth zoom/focus rings
7. weight
8. price (I do not pay any price ;-)

After studying several reviews the CANON EF 4.0/70-200 L USM is a very sharp and contrast rich lens which has similar characteristics as fixed focals. The maxiumum aperture is reasonable. A main advantage of this lens is the minimum focal distance of 1.2 metres which leads to an image field of about 10 x 7 centimetres without any additional device! The zoom range of 112 -- 320 mm equiv. is really versatile for those who like to shoot free hand and a 100 mm equiv. is a standard optics.
The construction is very sturdy and the zoom and focus rings are fine -- not as good as the old optics like the FD 4,0/200 SSC or a FD 1.8/85 SSC but o.k. Weight is about 750 gramms -- the right weight to take it with you and heavy enough to hold it without to much shaking. The monolithic construction doesn't change the lens' footprint and gives no chance to pump dust into the mirror box of the camera.

What's missing: An optical image stabilizer, which is available for the EF 2.8/70-200 L IS USM. Just at 4.0 it would be a good add-on.
But: The CANON EF 4.0/70-200 L USM was about 1250 Euro cheaper compared to the 2.8 max. aperture version and it's weight ist about one half of its sister lens. 1250 Eur means -- perhaps -- to buy a CANON EF 2.0/135 L which might be one of the sharpest lenses in the CANON EF line-up. This lens has a minimum focus distance of 90 centimeters which means a built in close-up capability and some special characteristics due to the tiny depth of field at its maximum aperture -- seems much more attractive as some zoom lens!

Experiences

The lens performs very well at each setting: It is quite sharp and contrast rich from f/4.0 on at each focal length. Distortions are low, much lower compared to cheap (200-300 Euro) zooms in the same focal range. At f/5.6 the quality increases, at f/8.0 it's near perfect. Some remarks about close-ups: The lens is usable at f/4.0 and 200 mm but it's a good idea to stop down to f/6.7 or f/8.0 if you need optimum image quality.

Conclusion

The CANON EF 4.0/70-200 L USM is a very good compromise between many optimization criteria. It's high sharpness and contrast combined with some close-up capabilities and the sturdy design with a perfect weight make it a good companion. The price is twice that of some main stream zooms but the quality ist comparable to high quality fix focals. A lens will -- hopefully -- be usable for 10 or 20 years ... 550 Euro means 15 cent per day over 10 years, compare that to what your flat or car needs each day. You will find out that this lens is CHEAP.

This lens is a full frame capable lens and will fit to these cameras.

The lens is delivered WITH lens hood, lens caps and a soft bag.

To protect the front lens I use a UV filter from B&W -- costs about 40 Euro.