70-200mm Zoom Lens Reviews
In the latest Digital Photographer magazine (issue 60) there’s a helpful review of three 70-200mm f2.8 lenses.
The beauty of this type of lens is that it gives you a fast lens, wide enough focal length to be useful in many everyday applications, yet the reach to really zoom in on your subject at the 200mm end of the spectrum. They are also useful for getting some nice blur in the background when shooting a subject - leaving them as the clear focal point.
They are the:
- Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom
- Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom
- Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO HSM Large Aperture Macro Zoom (Canon) and for (Nikon)
A word of warning before we get into the review results - none of these lenses are cheap.
For the full reviews of each of the lenses you’ll need to get the magazine - but here’s a summary of each in the order that they were ‘rated’ by the reviewer:
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom
Rating - 93%
Description - the biggest of the lenses in terms of size but lighter than the Canon this lens is given 10/10 marks in the areas of Features and Quality of Results.
It has Vibration Reduction built in which eliminates camera shake well. It produces sharp images at all aperture settings along the focal range and is quick and quiet.
The only real downsides of this lens according to the review was it’s cost, weight and size. Apart from that it’s written up as the ultimate 70-200mm lens.
Following are three shots taken using this lens (source 1, 2, 3):
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom
Rating - 88%
Description - I own this lens and rate it as the 2nd best lens that I own (I use my 24-105mm more - but this is an ideal companion). The review gives it a perfect rating (10/10) on a ‘features’ rating with it’s image stabilization boosting it’s rating (it has two modes of IS, one for everyday and one for panning). This is a fast lens - both in terms of aperture but also AF (although at times they say it ‘hunted’ for the right thing to focus upon. It’s also very quiet.
The downsides of this otherwise excellent lens again are cost and weight (it’s the heaviest of the three). It is two thirds of the price of the Nikkor lens which is nice - however still will hit the bank account hard. The review also found a tiny bit of softness shooting at 200mm at f/2.8 - but otherwise it produced beautifully sharp images.
Here are some examples of what this lens can do (sources 1, 2, 3):
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO HSM Large Aperture Macro Zoom (Canon) and for (Nikon)
Rating - 83%
Description - while this lens came in last of the three lenses reviewed - it was also the cheapest (winning the ‘value for money’ section with a 9/10). This lens doesn’t have any form of image stabilization/vibration reduction - which puts it at a disadvantage in darker shooting conditions - however it also lightens the lens - both in terms of price and actual weight which makes it a more practical option for many.
The other plus of this lens is that it can focus as close as 1 meter (40cm better than the Canon and 50cm better than the Nikkor) which can be very useful.
The downsides of this lens center more around image quality. Whilst it produces good images, they’re not as ‘tack sharp’ as the other two tested. It is also a touch noisier and slower than the others.
Here’s how this lens performs (sources 1, 2, 3):
All three lenses were highly recommended by the reviewer.
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January 11th, 2008 at 12:19 am
Must say I am seriously considering the Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS USM. I already have the 24-105 and am looking at something that zooms a little more.
Not only does it do that (and cope well in low light), but you can put the 1.4 extender on it and still be able to use it at f4 like my 24-105mm which is great.
Heard a lot of good things about it, although some find the 1.2kg to heavy for their liking. I dont think that weight will be a concern for me.
Looks like a great lens, and Im fast running out of reasons not to buy it!
January 11th, 2008 at 1:03 am
This definitely will be on my wish list. This may be a dumb question but do these work on the Nikon D70s?
January 11th, 2008 at 1:05 am
I love my 70-200/2.8 IS. It really is fast (both f/2.8 and AF). Its sharp and I really just enjoy shooting with it.
It is a bit heavy, but I am young and I hike with it all the time. I will say though, 2 hrs in a botanical gardens butterfly exhibit, combined with a 40D and my hand started to cramp up from the weight. :) I guess I should start doing more wrist exercises!
January 11th, 2008 at 1:15 am
The Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 is definitely on my want list. It is razor sharp and one of the best Nikon Lenses out there. It will work on the D70s as well as any of the current Nikon’s out there even the D40/D40x. I have a D50 and am very happy with it. I’d rather spend my money on better glass than spend 1000.00US on a new body.
Pete
January 11th, 2008 at 1:23 am
@Lori: the Nikon will, and you can buy the Sigma in a Nikon mount.
Generally, I have seen the Sigma 50-150 2.8 HSM very well-reviewed too. The focal length seems unconventional — except that the 70-200 length is a holdover from film camera days, and with crop factor 50-150 is the digital equivalent for most DSLRs.
Lighter than the 70-200s, and a bit cheaper too — I am looking at it as a candidate to replace my Nikon 55-200 once I can afford to. (Downside of Sigma is no IS/VR).
EL
January 11th, 2008 at 1:49 am
I had the Nikon 70-200 VR, best lens I ever had unfortunately it was stolen at a secure press event in Glasgow along with my D200 a few months back.
I didn’t have insurance then, I do now, best advice get insurance on your gear its worth its weight in gold, as for a new 70-200 VR I’m saving for it having just bought a D300.
Stu
January 11th, 2008 at 2:48 am
I think that Nikon will be the next lens I buy, I could upgrade my camera body from the D80 to the D300 for the price of the lens but my daddy always told me “son, its better to spend your money on good glass than waste it on the latest camera bodies”
The canon and nikon 70-200mm lens are in my opinion the best pro zoom glass on the market for the money
January 11th, 2008 at 3:38 am
Not totally an apples to apples compairson since the Sigma isn’t image stabilized. I don’t know about Nikon, but I know Canon makes a non-IS version of the 70-200 f/2.8L.
Either way, my guess is the Canon reviewed will be my next glass purchase.
January 11th, 2008 at 4:05 am
Nikon doesn’t have a 70-200 without VR, but they do have an 80-200, which is excellent.
January 11th, 2008 at 4:34 am
The Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 is definitely on my list to buy this year and I’ll most likely buy a TC14E with it as well to get the extra reach. The Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 is highly regarded and one of the best lenses you can buy. The Nikon will work with a D70s as well as the Sigma with the Nikon mount.
I had the 55-200mm VR from Nikon and then traded it back after a couple of weeks and got the 70-300mm VR from Nikon.
January 11th, 2008 at 5:20 am
I own the Canon 70-200 and it is phenomenal lens if you can justify the price and weight. I have used it in sports, concerts and even some portrait work on my 20D and 40D bodies.
January 11th, 2008 at 10:29 am
I have the Sigma 70-200 for use with my Canon 40D. I *love* it. While I would also have loved the full IS canon version of it, I just couldn’t justify the expense. If I ever make money from this hobby, I’ll consider an upgrade. Until then the Sigma is cheaper and gives absolutely beautiful frames.
January 11th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Of course, put it on a Pentax K10D or K100D and the Sigma *is* image stabilized. Maybe not as effective as lens-based stabilization, but with no extra cost in money or size/weight.
January 11th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
I’m receiving my Canon 70 - 200 F4 IS today. It would’ve been nice to get the 2.8 but the F4 is so much lighter. I don’t do any sport photography so it will fit my needs. I’ve also heard the f4 is slightly sharper than the 2.8
January 11th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
I use the Nikon 70-200 with my D80 body. They don’t balance in weight but I completely agree with Ed O’Keeffe’s father: it’s better to have the good lens than the body.
It is extremely sharp even with wide open aperture, the bokeh is beautiful and I really enjoy using it.
Great for portrait close-ups and many other things.
January 11th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Holy cow.
January 12th, 2008 at 12:26 am
I have the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS on the 40D body. It produces terrific results despite having neck ache from carrying it around the whole day. For those thinking of buying it, get it, you won’t regret it!
Sample picture: http://www.reddotstudio.ch/pixelpost/index.php?showimage=210&category=6
January 12th, 2008 at 12:56 am
I’m curious, I have this lense (recent purchase in the Virgin Islands), what about the 18-200mm lense? I was wishing I had gotten that one, but I didn’t know about it, because it can take close up and far away. Any thoughts on that? I’m a newbee, so sorry if my question has an obvious answer to those of you who have been taking pictures for a while.
January 12th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Turns out I have different 70-200 than the one being discussed.
January 12th, 2008 at 1:58 am
I have the Canon 70-200mm 2.8 IS lens. Never did I guess how much I would be using this lens. When going through my pictures from events and portrait sessions, I noticed that a fairly high percentage of my 5 star shots where with this lens.
The point of this is that for those thinking about the Canon 70-200 2.8 IS, there is potentially a lot more value than perceived. The 2.8 IS version well out does the 4.0 version with or without IS (IS cannot stop motion) in terms of speed, which translates to more opportunities to use the lens (this for me effectively means lower cost ratio). The extra 2.8 allows me to use the lens indoors, use lower ISO, use higher shutter speeds, and avoid flash which allows faster shooting rate. This makes the lens extremely more versatile and useful in so many more situations such as indoor sports, concerts and theatrical type events, and pretty much any low light situation (longer shooting hours). So a better cost ratio plus a fairly high percentage of “keepers” and “5 stars” make this lens a favorite of mine.
I don’t really get the weight concern that other people have. I have walked around all day with the 70-200 and I never notice the weight of it… until the next day…. hehe. Seriously, I only notice the weight when I am running around all day gripping my camera with my hands and not using the neck strap. All the L lenses are relatively heavy anyway. If you’re not willing to pack more weight for picture quality, the “L” series lenses may be overkill for you and therefore wasted money no matter whether you choose the IS or 2.8 vs 4.0 version.
For me the real drawbacks are it’s physical length and conspicuousness. It’s long and it’s white color really make it stand out. Too many people notice when you have the lens on and being larger in size, you have to get bags that will fit it plus it’s wide lens hood.
My bottom line is at the end of the day, how many “Wow!” shots do I have. Those shots deliver the rest of the package and give you your reputation. Most Canon photographers I know readily attest that the 70-200mm 2.8 IS significantly add to their number of “great” shots.
January 12th, 2008 at 2:26 am
A few months back I rented the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom for my Nephew’s first Yankees game at Yankee Stadium.
In a word– Amazing. I am certainly am an amateur, learning the workings of my Nikon D80, but really wanted a longer zoom and a faster lens for the game. This was all that was available to rent that weekend, and such a good decision. The photos are fantastic.
Only down side is that the lens was super heavy on the light D80, and I don’t have a steady hand to begin with, so I was real careful to limit user-shake when taking photos.
The size of the lens did get some attention among fans, as well…
January 12th, 2008 at 5:03 am
I’ve owned both the Nikon 70-200VR and the Canon 70-200IS - they are both excellent lenses, as already attested to. In my mind, they are the two best zooms (in this range) that you can get. Both have excellent sharpness and contrast, even when shot wide open.
There has been some talk about the Canon being a bit soft wide open at 200mm but I haven’t really seen that in my shooting, but I’m sure they’re probably some variation in lens copies out there.
In terms of weight and size, the Nikon is a bit smaller in diameter and a bit lighter. I also prefer the Nikon hood to Canon’s. The tripod ring on Nikon is also a better system - you can remove it w/o having to detach the lens from the camera body, unlike the Canon version.
Asthetically, I do prefer the “look” of Canon’s L lenses, if that counts for anything. But at the end of the day, it’s the picture quality that we’re all after and I would highly recommend either of these lenses w/o hesitation.
January 13th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
I like the pictures and the review is great, but I was looking for some pictures with the Olympus zoom lens! Does any one have any of those? I am looking to bye a Olympus E 510