CANON EF 70-200MM F4L IS II
Canon has updated its f4 stabilised 70-200mm with this version II model
Arguably the most important lens in any sports photographer’s bag is the 70-200mm f2.8 IS, but what about the slower, more compact f4 version, how popular is that? Well Canon must know a thing or two judging by the lengths it’s gone to update this IS model. You only need to hold it in the hands to see that this is no poor relation. Like its predecessor it’s small and light and the build and ergonomics are truly, truly superb. You can’t fault the placement of the zoom ring with its slightly widening barrel, the position of the focus window or the focus ring. Being moulded into the outer barrel the IS control panel is no longer an afterthought either. Yet the integrated nature means you can forget it’s even there, so if you forget you’ll miss out on a good four stops of equivalent compensation, maybe five with excellent technique. Focus operation is another highpoint as always from Canon; it’s virtually silent, very smooth, fast and very accurate.
Besides the terrific build and handling the most impressive thing about this though is its optical quality. It’s not just high contrast and resolution that’s impressive, it’s that it can maintain that at 200mm. Not only is it sharp and contrasty it’s virtually free of any fringing to speak of. It would walk away with a five-star rating or a 10/10 score if it wasn’t for one weakness – without the hood it’s a little vulnerable to flare, though even then it’s still well controlled.