Canon EF 70-200 mm f/2.8 L USM Lens (Non Image Stabilised)

Having owned the f4 version for a while (before) I kind of knew what to expect... but I was still surprised by this lens!First of all, yes, it is heavy... it's built like a tank and weights as much as a turret! :))That being said it is built exquisitely, holding this in your hand you know you have a quality product, the switches are firm and give you that "quality click" when you move them, the zoom and focus rings are as smooth as a baby's bum and the images... oh the images... as sharp as a razor blade thats has a hidden killer power laser on it - and thats just from 1 day of use that I just got from it!I am using it on a full frame (Mark 3) so I dont get as much "reach" as a crop sensor... this kind of leaves me wanting a bit more reach at times so I am also going in for a 1.4 and 2x extender.Shooting indoors is fantastic with this, shooting outdoors I actually had some trouble as the images were coming washed out!This piece of alien tech scoops up sooo much light that I had to go on my lowest ISO setting and go past f8 at times just so I didnt lose detail when shooting outside (I presently have no filters to cut the light, this takes 77mm filters which if you look on Amazon cost a little more than what I would get after selling one of my kidneys!)The bokeh is like butter, but you already know that... ;)Portraits look fabulous. Heck! Put a frog in front and in post processing you're gonna see a prince/princess!(Does also work the other way around, put prince Charles in front of it and in post processing you will always see a frog!)(Your results may vary)Picked it up from Amazon as their return policies in the first year of ownership is second to none, I plan on doing quite a lot of shooting with this and its good to know if anything goes wrong - I'm totally covered. Hat tip to Amazon for getting it to me ASAP as they knew I was going on my trip...It comes with a very decent carrying pouch / lens cover and I'm glad Canon didnt go all cheap the way they do with a lot of their other lenses (ahem, 70-300L) and included the lens collar with the lens. It's a heavy lens, I'm happier knowing its holding my camera up than thinking the camera is holding this up.In short, love it, the price still stings (its a new purchase) but I think it will lose its sting as I use the lens more. It's a solid build, you can knock a camera thief on the head with this and it feels like it will still work perfectly fine, the other thing that I keep reminding myself is that this lens holds its value very very well (just in case...).I wanted to post a few pictures that I took out but looking at other posts I see that Amazon censors the links :(Got a question? Leave a comment and I'll try to answer it.

I took a long time to make up my mind to purchase this lens reading reviews left right and centre before taking the plunge,was I happy with my decision to buy?, indeed I was.OK it is a heavy beast but so is the 5d mark 11 camera to which it is attached. I shall be using this lens for landscape and sports photography and weddings. I have ran a few shots since taking delivery and I am very impressed with the results, the bokeh is great and the weather sealing a bonus focusing is fast and quiet,even at my age (80s) I can handle its weight well though I did buy a better camera strap to help take the weight. If you want a top class lens buy this one you wont regret it.

All my previous lenses have been F/5.6 & they do not perform brilliantly in poor light. So I decided to purchase this zoom as it has a max. aperture of F/2.8. I've used it indoors on my 7D without the 1.4x extender & was able to set a faster shutter speed than I would have done with my F/5.6 lenses & as a result got better action shots. I have also used it outdoors with the 1.4x extender - this combination loses an f-stop & the extender does slow down auto-focus a bit. IS is a useful addition to the spec. & the lens comes with a substantial case & lens hood. I would like a little more reach if I'm honest, but I've sacrificed that for the aperture in this case & I'm pleased with my purchase. It is a fairly weighty lens, but is not too heavy to use hand-held.

Let's be honest here.You aren't 100% happy with your photos are you?You see something, take a picture, and you look at it at home and are underwhelmed. A bit of sharpening and it looks OK.I was never 10/10 happy with my pictures. Queue the patronising drones of 'its not the lens, its the technique'.....Well let me tell you, this lens does something extraordinary. You see something and take a picture. This lens makes it look BETTER than what your own eyes are seeing. You take your camera home, load up the photos and seriously, the pictures are better than reality.It is really exciting to see what marvels this lens has added to your captures.. I now believe in magic.Well if it's better than what I am seeing, it has to be 11/10. Don't skimp, buy once, buy wisely, get this lens. You will not need another lens between 70-200mm ever, full stop. Too heavy? Get an R-strap and it hangs unobtrusively by your hip, no problem.This must surely be the lens that the professionals don't want you to know about, it's just too good.

I purchased this lens and when I tried to register with Canon, they advised that it was a 'grey' import and that it was probably for the Asian/Australian market and therefore would not be covered under warranty as it isn't a UK lens. When I told Rumsby Electronic about this they were in complete denial, even though I have several emails from Canon themselves stating this to be the case. They practically called me a liar, and when I gave them an alternative to refund me a measly £55 from the £1655 for the lens, they told me they would tell Amazon I am blackmailing them - yeah laughable eh? They have also threatened to sue me if I post this review or any negative feedback on them! This company are clearly not interested in after sales service and I wish I had never purchased through them. It is disgraceful that they can threaten ME if I post an honest and factual review - it's them who should be sued. They claim they there will be 12 months warranty in the box, but guess what - there isn't and when as claimed Canon must have 'forgot' - course they would claim this seeing as it ISN'T covered by UK warranty! Shop elsewhere unless you want a load of hassle and grief for spending a massive amount on a lens. Clearly a great lens from Canon, but use a supplier who won't try to make you feel like you have no right to check on them!