The Canon 70-200 f2.8L II lens should be in every Canon shooter’s kit. It’s one of those must-have lenses. The image quality is just so beautiful, and owning this lens immediately improved my portfolio.
It’s heavy, it’s expensive, but it’s a Canon, and it’s worth every penny.
Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS II Review
The time is very close for me to give a full update on this review. So much has changed since this lens came out. We have the Canon 5DS R that now shoots 50mp, and Sony has actually started making cameras that people care about. So, how does this lens hold up even with these super-megapixel cameras?
From my tests, fantastic. Here is a shot taken with the 5DS R.
![](https://alikgriffin.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlikGriffin_Canon5DSR_LosAngeles_Observatory-L.jpg)
What I Love About This Lens
I know they say a better camera won’t make you a better photographer, but this lens will. And any pro would agree with me.
The lens shoots really clean, extremely sharp images. The edges look great. Image stabilization is a really handy feature and works great.
When I originally bought this lens, I used it exclusively on my Canon 5Dmkii. Now, I use it on my Sony A7r with the Metabones Adapter. Although this slows down the autofocus and confuses the image stabilizer, I still enjoy it. I actually use it for a lot of videos. You have to get further back, but it compresses your shots in a unique and beautiful way. I always try to shoot with long lenses with video, and this lens definitely does it for me.
Canon 70-200mm F2.8 IS II Bokah Samples
Wow, is it nice? The only bokeh I’ve liked more is from my Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 35mm f2.8. But this lens has an incredible creamy bokeh. It just makes every image look magical.
![](https://alikgriffin.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlikGriffin_Canon70-200_Alaska_A7rII_College_Fjord_Cascade-L.jpg)
What I Don’t Like About Canon 70-200mm f2.8L IS II
Not too much other than it’s big and it’s heavy. But that’s to be expected, and you can’t hold that against it. I wish it were cheaper.
The main problem I have with this lens is that I don’t have heavy-duty tripods. I use medium/lightweight tripods. So, any long exposures in landscape photography become problematic because of vibrations. The lighter-weight tripods just can’t support the weight of the lens. You’ll need something heavier and bigger to support it. It’s not a big deal, and I don’t use this lens too often for landscape photography, so I can make it work for me.
I Wish It Were Black
I don’t like the attention it draws when I am in questionable areas of the world. I wish Canon would make a black one. And I know a lot of people feel this same way.
Canon 70-200mm f2.8L IS II Sample Photos
![](https://alikgriffin.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlikGriffin_Canon70-200_Alaska_A7rII_Mount-McKinley-L-800x400.jpg)
![](https://alikgriffin.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlikGriffin_Canon70-200_Alaska_A7rII_College_Fjord_Cascade-L-800x533.jpg)
![](https://alikgriffin.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlikGriffin_Canon70-200_Alaska_A7rII_GlacierBay_Ice-Mountain-L-800x400.jpg)
![Manai Waterfall Takachiho Gorge](https://alikgriffin.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlikGriffin_Canon70-200_Manai_Waterfall_Takachiho_Gorge_View-L-533x800.jpg)
![](https://alikgriffin.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlikGriffin_Canon70-200_Bali-Indonesia-Reef-Break-L-800x400.jpg)
![](https://alikgriffin.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlikGriffin_Canon70-200_Tanah-Lot-The-Sea-Temple-L-800x533.jpg)
![](https://alikgriffin.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlikGriffin_Canon70-200_Death-Valley-Golden-Mudstones-Zabriskie-Point-L-800x533.jpg)
![](https://alikgriffin.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlikGriffin_Canon70-200_Grand_Canyon_Mather_Point_Gorge-L-800x536.jpg)
![](https://alikgriffin.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlikGriffin_Canon70-200_Grand_Canyon_Mather_Point_GorgeH-L-536x800.jpg)
![](https://alikgriffin.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlikGriffin_Canon70-200_Itsukushima_Shrine_Miyajima_Japan-L-800x531.jpg)
![](https://alikgriffin.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlikGriffin_Canon70-200_Arizona_Tuscon_Last_Sunset_2012-L-800x533.jpg)
![](https://alikgriffin.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlikGriffin_Canon70-200_Bali_Kecak_Dancers_Pose-L-800x533.jpg)
![](https://alikgriffin.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlikGriffin_Canon5DSR_LosAngeles_Observatory-L-800x533.jpg)
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