Combining a very popular and very useful focal length range with excellent image quality , professional build quality , superb autofocus performance, a fast aperture and one of my favorite features - Canon's valuable 3-stop Image Stabilization - makes the 70-200 IS one of Canon's most desired lenses...

The EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L is THE zoom telephoto lens to own if you are a serious Canon shooter. Its optical performance parallels that of prime lenses, and it offers incredible performance (resolution, contrast and bokeh) and versatility under most shooting conditions where a telephoto lens is needed.

The build quality of the 70-200mm f/2.8 USM L II is truly superb. It's mostly made of tightly assembled metal parts - there's no wobbling whatsoever and the rubberized control rings operate very smooth. Just like its predecessors the lens does not extend during zooming nor focusing.

The pictures below illustrate the focal length range from wide to telephoto, on 35mm full-frame and APS-C camera bodies:

Superb build quality; Highly effective image stabilization; Excellent autofocus and manual override; Consistently high image quality across almost all of the range

Slightly soft wide open (most notably on APS-C; Average close-up performance; Somewhat susceptible to flare with direct light sources in or close to the frame

Performance of the lens is disappointing - for ~US$1,500 we expect a lens that performs consistently well and that's where Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM fails. The lens shows very good performance in the shorter zoom range (70-135mm), but falls short towards the longer end.

Several months ago I finally decided to shell out the 1400.00 on this lens. Quite simply it is one of the best investments in photography that I have ever made. The lens is outstanding, both in build quality and performance.

Everything

Costly, but I don't believe overly expensive; this is one good piece of glass

It should come as no surprise to learn that Canon's professional-specification Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM zoom lens is an ergonomic delight. It sits comfortably in the hand and its controls all fall naturally within fingertip reach.

Shaped switches allow 'blind' selection of Image Stabilisation

200mm MTF results

This lens stays on my camera 80-90% of the time. I use it extensively for sports photos, as well a portraits and some event photography. When I really need to make every shot count, the 70-200 IS is one of the first lenses I will include in my bag.

Versatile lens; tack sharp; fast; makes the work of taking great photos easy

Pricey; but so is any other quality; professional grade glass; heavy; but not overly so

Believe everything positive that you have ever heard about this lens - it may sound too good to be true, but I assure you it is true. Yes it's expensive, but for the amount of glass in the lens necessary to achieve the amazing f2.8 aperture throughout the range, that's to be expected.

this lens is my favorite to shoot with. everything about it i love! the weight doesnt seem to be an issue for me, actually i feel the heavier a lens the easier it is for me to keep steady and balance better. 2.8 through out is great and if i add a TC 1.4x its still a F/4. focus is fast and silient.

IS; 2.8 throughout; build; weathersealed; image quality

maybe the weight and color of the lens for some draws attention