Photo: BulletZ (CC BY-SA 3.0)
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
- 70-200mm
- f/70.0
- Telephoto Zoom
- 1310 g
- Min focus 1.5 m
Quick answer
The original non-stabilized 70-200mm f/2.8L from Canon (2001), known for sharp optics and a lighter body than the IS versions. Works on full-frame EF bodies.
Pros
- Constant f/2.8
- Lighter than the IS versions (about 1.3 kg)
- Sharp optics
Cons
- No image stabilization
- Slow handheld shutter speeds are harder
- Older ring USM design
Verdict
A good choice if you rarely need stabilization and prefer lower weight.
About this lens
This 70-200mm f/2.8 fast telephoto zoom lens from Canon fits Canon EF mount cameras, from the Canon L series with ultrasonic-motor autofocus. A staple professional telephoto zoom with a constant f/2.8 aperture for sports, events and portraits.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM specifications
- Brand
- Canon
- Mount
- Canon EF
- Focal length
- 70-200mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/70.0
- Lens type
- Telephoto Zoom
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 1995
- Optical construction
- 18 elements in 15 groups
- Aperture blades
- 8
- Autofocus motor
- USM
- Minimum focus distance
- 1.5 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.16x
- Filter thread
- 77 mm
- Weight
- 1310 g
- Length
- 193.6 mm
- Diameter
- 84.6 mm
Specification source: global.canon
What can you shoot with the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM?
- Sports in good light
- Portraits
- Events with fast shutter speeds
Its smaller maximum aperture favours daylight shooting and keeps the lens compact.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 70–200mm | 10.3–28.8° | 12.3–34.3° |
| APS-C | 1.6x | 112–320mm | 6.4–18.3° | 7.7–21.9° |
Frequently asked questions
Does the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM have image stabilization?
No. That is the main difference from the IS versions. For handheld work at 200mm, use a faster shutter speed or raise the ISO.
Is the non-IS EF 70-200 f/2.8L sharp?
Yes, its optics are well regarded. It lacks stabilization, which can matter for handheld low-light shots.
EF 70-200 f/2.8L USM vs f/4L IS: which one?
The f/2.8 has a faster aperture and shallower depth of field. The f/4L IS is lighter and stabilized.
Alternatives for Canon EF from other brands
All Canon EF lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
Tamron
AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 LD Macro 1:2
70-300mm · f/70.0 · Canon EF
Tamron
SP AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro (A001)
70-200mm · f/70.0 · Canon EF
Tokina
AF 100mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro D M100 Macro
100mm · f/100.0 · Canon EF
Tamron
AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF)
28-300mm · f/28.0 · Canon EF
More Canon lenses for Canon EF
All Canon lenses
Other 70-200mm lenses
Browse by focal length: 70mm lenses, 200mm lenses