Canon 70‑200mm f/2.8L IS III
Full-Frame EF
Introduction New Good Bad Missing Format
Compatibility Specifications Accessories
USA Version Performance Compared
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III (metal 77mm filter threads, 54.3 oz./1,541g with collar, 50.3 oz./1,425g without collar, 3.9'/1.2m close focus, $2,099 new or about $1,700 used if you know How to Win at eBay). bigger.
I got mine at at B&H. I'd also get it at at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This 100% all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally approved sources I've used myself for way over 100 combined years when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Canon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, non-USA, store demo or used lens — and all of my personally approved sources allow for 100% cash-back returns for at least 30 days if you don't love your new lens. I've used many of these sources since the 1970s because I can try it in my own hands and return it if I don't love it, and because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new lens before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I've used myself for decades for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
April 2021 Canon Reviews Canon Lenses Canon Flash All Reviews
Mirrorless RF 70-200/2.8L IS USM review (2019-today)
Previous 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II review (2010-2018)
Original 70-200mm f/2.8L IS review (2001-2010)
Introduction top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing Format
Compatibility Specifications Accessories
USA Version Performance Compared
I buy only from these approved sources. I can't vouch for ads below. |
This Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III is a revision to the previous excellent EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II. This new -III version adds slightly better coatings and otherwise seems almost identical to the previous -II version except for the subtly different exterior paint color.
The previous 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II has the same fluorite optics whose extraordinarily high performance cannot be improved upon, thus the same optics are used in this lens.
Manual focus is perfect: just grab the direct-coupled mechanical focus ring at any time for instant manual-focus override.
I got my EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III at at B&H. I'd also get it at at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
New since the previous EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing Format
Compatibility Specifications Accessories
USA Version Performance Compared
Air Sphere Coating for claimed higher contrast and less ghosting in harsh light — but I don't see any difference.
Subtly grayer paint.
Focus and zoom rings are now plastic rather than metal, saving 2.1 oz. (60g) of weight. They look and work the same.
Otherwise seems identical to the previous EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II.
Optics are identical.
Good top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing Format
Compatibility Specifications Accessories
USA Version Performance Compared
Superb optics.
Fully professional all-metal construction quality — this isn't some plastic throw-away.
Bargain price: the dinky plastic pumper Canon RF 70-200/2.8L IS USM sells for $600 more and this professional EF lens works on Canon's Full-Frame mirrorless cameras with an EF to RF adapter.
Bargain price: the dinky plastic Sony 70-200/2.8 sells for $500 more and Nikon's 70-200/2.8 FL sells for $250 more and use the same Fluorite technology!
Stops down to f/32.
Real case included.
Hood included.
Made in Japan.
100% U.S.A.-based high-quality technical support at (800) OK-CANON.
Bad top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing Format
Compatibility Specifications Accessories
USA Version Performance Compared
Primitive 8-bladed diaphragm, a leftover from the 1980s which yields only 8-pointed sunstars.
Missing top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing Format
Compatibility Specifications Accessories
USA Version Performance Compared
No 90º clicks on the tripod collar.
No focus lock buttons — but those were so 1990s.
Nothing else; this is a great lens with all the features and accessories included.
Format top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing Format
Compatibility Specifications Accessories
USA Version Performance Compared
I got my EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III at at B&H. I'd also get it at at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This is a full frame lens, and I'm reviewing it as such.
It works great on APS-C cameras, too, on which you may make the usual inferences.
Compatibility top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing Format
Compatibility Specifications Accessories
USA Version Performance Compared
I got my EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III at at B&H. I'd also get it at at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This lens works flawlessly on every Canon DSLR and SLR made since 1987.
It works with any of the Canon EF teleconverters, some of which can stack.
It work flawlessly on every Canon full-frame DSLR and every Canon APS-C DSLR.
It also works flawlessly on every 35mm EOS camera, like my Canon EOS 1V, introduced in 2000, and original 1987 Canon EOS 620.
Use an EF to RF adapter to use this on Canon's Full-Frame mirrorless cameras.
Use the EOS-M adapter to use this on Canon's EOS-M mirrorless cameras.
This isn't Nikon; with Canon, everything just works, even if the camera is over thirty years old.
Specifications top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing Format
Compatibility Specifications Accessories
USA Version Performance Compared
I got my EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III at at B&H. I'd also get it at at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
Name
Canon calls this the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM:
EF: Electronic Focus, as all Canon's lenses have been since 1987.
L: Expensive as L.
IS: Image Stabilization.
III: Canon's third version of this lens.
USM: Ultrasonic Autofocus Motor.
Optics
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III internal construction. UD glass and Fluorite elements. IS section.
23 elements in 19 groups.
1 Fluorite element for extreme sharpness.
5 UD extra-low dispersion elements, which help reduce secondary axial chromatic aberration.
Fluorine coatings on front and rear to resist dirt and smudges.
Coverage
Full-Frame, 35mm and APS-C.
Native to DSLR, and works on mirrorless with EF to RF adapter.
Diaphragm
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III (EF diaphragm not shown). bigger.
8 rounded blades.
Stops down to f/32.
Focal Length
70-200mm.
When used on Canon's APS-C cameras, it sees the same angle of view as a 115-325 mm lens sees when used on a full-frame or 35mm camera.
See also Crop Factor.
Angle of View, Full-Frame
34º ～ 12º diagonal.
29º ～ 10º horizontal.
19.5º ～ 7º vertical.
Autofocus
Internal focus with Ring Ultrasonic Motor
No external movement as focused, so no air or dust is sucked in.
Focus Scale
Yes.
Infinity Focus Stop
No.
Depth of Field Scale
No.
Reproduction Ratio Scale
No.
Infrared Focus Indices
Yes.
Close Focus
3.9 feet (1.2 meters).
Maximum Reproduction Ratio
1:4.76 (0.21 ×).
Image Stabilizer
Rated 3.5 stops improvement.
The previous 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II was rated better at 4 stops, but I doubt there's any real difference and suspect they are simply measuring the same system to a newer test standard.
Filters
77 mm filter thread.
Caps specifications top
Canon E-77II 77mm front cap, included.
Canon EOS "E" rear cap, included.
Hood specifications top
Canon ET-87 hood, included.
It has a locking pawl to keep it from unbayonetting.
Case specifications top
 |
 |
Zippered and velcro closing padded LZ1326 case included.
This is a very useful sturdy padded case. You can use the double-handled zipper for solid closing, and once open, there's velcro on the top for shot-to-shot open and closing. Bravo!
Tripod Collar
Tripod Mount Ring B (W II), included.
Size
3.50" maximum diameter × 7.83" extension from flange.
88.8 mm maximum diameter × 199 mm extension from flange.
Weight
54.330 oz. (1,540.65 g) actual measured weight with collar.
50.270 oz. (1,425.1 g) actual measured weight without collar.
Collar alone weighs 4.080 oz. (115.7 g).
Rated 52.2 oz. (1,480g).
Announced
12:01AM, Thursday, 07 June 2018.
Promised for
August 2018.
Included
Canon E-77II 77mm front cap.
Canon EOS "E" rear cap.
Tripod collar B (W II).
Canon's Model Numbers
EF70-200LIS3.
3044C002 (3044C001 in Japan).
JAN 4549292-118513.
Price, U. S. A. specifications top
April 2021
$2,099 new at Adorama, at Amazon, at B&H or at Crutchfield.
About $1,700 used if you know How to Win at eBay.
June 2018
$2,099. (300,000 yen in Japan.)
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III. bigger.
Accessories top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing Format
Compatibility Specifications Accessories
USA Version Performance Compared
I got my EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III at at B&H. I'd also get it at at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
LZ1326 case, included.
Tripod Mount Ring B (W), included.
Canon ET-87 hood, included.
Teleconverters
Yes, works with any of the Canon EF teleconverters.
No, none of the RF teleconverters work.
Extension Tubes
Getting a Legal U. S. A. Version top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing Format
Compatibility Specifications Accessories
USA Version Performance Compared
I got my EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III at at B&H. I'd also get it at at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This section applies in the U. S. A. only.
Canon USA Warranty Card. bigger.
Your lens must include a U. S. A. warranty card like the one shown above from Canon U.S.A., Inc. It should be on top inside your box as you open it. The serial number on the card must match the serial number on the bottom of your lens:
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III. bigger.
If not, you got ripped off with a gray market version from another country. This is why I never buy anyplace other than from my personally approved sources. You just can't take the chance of buying elsewhere, especially at any retail store, because non-U. S. A. versions have no warranty in the U. S. A., and you probably won't be able to get firmware or service for it — even if you're willing to pay out-of-pocket for it when you need it!
Shifty dealers may include color copies of a card from a legitimate U. S. A. lens in a gray-market box, hoping you won't check serial numbers and catch their fraud. A card with the wrong serial number means nothing other than that you have no warranty coverage.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III. bigger.
The serial number on the top of the box doesn't have to match, but it should. It is hidden under the right side of the top bar code. If not, it means a shady dealer took things out of boxes and was too sloppy to put them back correctly — and it means you got a used lens if anyone other than you took it out of the box.
If a gray market version saves you $600 the risk might be worth it, but for $200 or less I wouldn't risk having no warranty or support.
Always be sure to check yours while you can still return it, or just don't buy from unapproved sources or at retail so you'll be able to have your camera serviced and get free updated firmware as needed. Get yours from the same places I do and you won't have a problem.
Performance top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing Format
Compatibility Specifications Accessories
USA Version Performance Compared
Overall Autofocus Manual Focus Breathing Bokeh
Distortion Ergonomics Falloff Filters Flare & Ghosts
Lateral Color Fringes Macro Mechanics Sharpness
Spherochromatism Sunstars Teleconverters
I got my EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III at at B&H. I'd also get it at at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
Overall performance top
The EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III is the most popular professional 70-200mm lens on the planet. Those pros can't all be wrong; this lens is built like a tank and is near flawless optically — just that it's big and heavy.
Autofocus performance top
Autofocus is fast. It focuses immediately on both DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.
Manual Focus performance top
Manual focus is perfect: just grab the direct-coupled mechanical focus ring at any time for instant manual-focus override.
Focus Breathing performance top
Focus breathing is the image changing size as focused in and out. It's important to cinematographers that the image not breathe because it looks funny if the image changes size as focus gets pulled back and forth between actors. If the lens does this, the image "breathes" by growing and contracting slightly as the dialog goes back and forth.
The image from the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III grows larger as focussed more closely.
Bokeh performance top
Bokeh, the feel, character or quality of out-of-focus areas as opposed to how far out of focus they are, is neutral to good. Blur circles are circles whose edges usually are soft.
Here are photos from headshot distance wide-open. I'm focused on the DAVIS logo. Click any for a full-resolution image:
Made-in-U. S. A. Davis 6250 weather station, 06 April 2021. Canon R5, EF 70-200/2.8L IS III at 70mm at f/2.8 at 1/3,200 at Auto ISO 100 (LV 14.6). bigger or camera-original © file.
Made-in-U. S. A. Davis 6250 weather station, 06 April 2021. Canon R5, EF 70-200/2.8L IS III at 200mm at f/2.8 at 1/3,200 at Auto ISO 100 (LV 14.6). bigger or camera-original © file.
As always, if you want to throw the background as far out of focus as possible, shoot at 200mm at f/2.8 and get as close as possible.
Distortion performance top
Uncorrected, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III has moderate to strong barrel distortion at 70mm, no distortion at 100mm and minor to moderate pincushion distortion at longer focal lengths — just like almost every other 70-200mm lens.
Distortion goes away with MENU > Camera > Lens Aberration Correction > Distortion Correction > ON.
While Canon's own software probably also corrects distortion from RAW CR3 files, be warned that other brands of raw processing software probably won't correct the distortion, and Heaven only knows what distortion you may see then.
If you shoot raw and use non-manufacturer software to process the raw data into images, that software is unlikely to be able to correct the distortion as is done in-camera as JPGs.
For more critical scientific use, use these corrections in Photoshop's lens correction filter to JPG images.
These aren't facts or specifications, they are the results of my research that requires hours of photography and calculations on the resulting data.
On Full-Frame and 35mm at 10' (3m) |
Correction factor with uncorrected images |
Correction factor to use with images made with correction ON in R5 |
70mm |
+3.00 | ±0.00 |
100mm |
±0.00 | ±0.00 |
135mm |
-1.00 | -0.50 |
200mm |
-2.00 | -0.20 |
© 2021 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved.
Ergonomics performance top
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|
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III is a hefty chunk of all-metal professional lens. It's not some plastic throw-away like most mirrorless lenses; this is a real man's lens and not for weak arms.
The completely mechanical focus ring has a moderately high amount of drag. It takes some force to move it. Don't expect it to flick around with just a fingertip. You can focus with one finger, but it takes a firm finger.
The zoom ring feels as if it's connected to the internals with a straight-cut geartrain. It's not perfectly smooth, instead feeling as if there are gear teeth involved. Ideally you'll want to use at least two fingers to wrench it around; it doesn't just flick side to side.
There's only a little more zoom drag in one direction when pointed straight down or straight up.
Falloff performance top
Falloff is invisible on digital cameras with the default Peripheral Illumination correction active (MENU > Camera > Lens Aberration Correction > Peripheral Illumination Correction > ON).
I've greatly exaggerated the falloff by shooting a gray field and placing these on a gray background; it will not look this bad in actual photos of real things:
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III, correction ON.
© 2021 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved. |
On 35mm film or if you go out of your way to turn off the correction, of course you'll see more falloff, which is still invisible in actual shooting except at at f/2.8:
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III, correction OFF.
© 2021 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved. |
Filters, use with performance top
There's no need for thin filters. I can stack a couple of filters with no vignetting on full frame.
Go ahead and use your standard rotating polarizer and grad filters.
Flare & Ghosts performance top
In spite of marketing's addition of a "Nano Coating," I see more ghosts than usual for other teles today — but still not anything to worry about, and something that many people like to see in a lens.
See examples at Sunstars.
Lateral Color Fringes performance top
There are no color fringes when shot as JPG with the default Chromatic Aberration Correction left ON.
If you go out of your way to turn this OFF (or shoot raw and then use non-manufacturer software to process the data into images) then there are some blue-green/yellow-magenta fringes at 70mm, less at 100mm, almost none at 135mm, and a bit of yellow-magenta/blue-green fringing at 200mm.
This is perfectly normal.
There is also spherochromatism, which can cause color fringes on things that aren't in perfect focus at f/2.8. Spherochromatism is a completely different aberration in a different dimension than lateral color fringes.
Macro Performance performance top
Macro gets reasonably close:
At f/2.8
It's not that ultra sharp at macro ranges at f/2.8 due to spherical aberration and spherochromatism:
Casio G-Shock Solar Atomic Watch, 06 April 2021. Canon R5, EF 70-200/2.8L IS III at 200mm at f/2.8 at 1/5,000 at Auto ISO 100 (LV 15.4). bigger or camera-original © file.
1,200 × 900 pixel (6.8× magnification) crop from above. bigger or camera-original © file.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 3" (7.5cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a large 14 × 21″ (35 × 55 cm) at this same high magnification.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 6" (15cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a huge 27½ × 41¼″ (70 × 105 cm) at this same high magnification.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 12" (30cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a mammoth 55 × 82½″ (1.4 × 2.1 meters) at this same extremely high magnification!
At f/8
As expected, it's ultra sharp at f/8:
Casio G-Shock Solar Atomic Watch, 06 April 2021. Canon R5, EF 70-200/2.8L IS III at 200mm at f/8 at 1/500 at Auto ISO 100 (LV 15.0). bigger or camera-original © file.
1,200 × 900 pixel (6.8× magnification) crop from above. bigger or camera-original © file.
The texture you're seeing is on the watch face.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 3" (7.5cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a large 14 × 21″ (35 × 55 cm) at this same high magnification.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 6" (15cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a huge 27½ × 41¼″ (70 × 105 cm) at this same high magnification.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 12" (30cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a mammoth 55 × 82½″ (1.4 × 2.1 meters) at this same extremely high magnification!
Mechanical Quality performance top
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III. bigger.
This lens is made as well as it gets. It's almost all metal, especially inside and everywhere it counts.
Finish
Light paint.
Hood
Plastic bayonet, with spring-loaded plastic locking pawl.
Front Bumper
None.
Filter Threads
Metal.
Hood Bayonet Mount
Metal.
Front Barrel Exterior (ahead of focus ring)
Plastic.
Focus Ring
Rubber-covered plastic.
Mid Barrel Exterior
Section with slide switches and focus window: plastic.
Slide Switches & Focus Window
Plastic.
Zoom Ring
Rubber-covered plastic.
Rear Barrel Exterior
Metal.
Tripod Collar
Metal.
Removable.
Identity
Printed around front of lens.
Internals
Seem like all metal!
Dust Gasket at Mount
Yes.
Mount
Chromed metal.
Markings
Paint.
Serial Number
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III. bigger.
Engraved into the living metal on the bottom of the barrel and filled with black paint.
Bravo!
Date Code
None found.
Noises When Shaken
Mild to moderate clattering.
Made in
Made in Japan.
Sharpness performance top
Lens sharpness has nothing to do with picture sharpness; every lens made in the past 100 years is more than sharp enough to make super-sharp pictures if you know what you're doing. The only limitation to picture sharpness is your skill as a photographer. It's the least talented who spend the most time worrying about lens sharpness and blame crummy pictures on their equipment rather than themselves. Skilled photographers make great images with whatever camera is in their hands; I've made some of my best images of all time with an irreparably broken camera! Most pixels are thrown away before you see them, but camera makers don't want you to know that.
If you're not getting ultra-sharp pictures with this, be sure not to shoot at f/11 or smaller where all lenses are softer due to diffraction, always shoot at ISO 100 or below because cameras become softer at ISO 200 and above, avoid shooting across long distances over land which can lead to atmospheric heat shimmer, be sure everything is in perfect focus, set your camera's sharpening as you want it (I set mine to the maximum) and be sure nothing is moving, either camera or subject. If you want to ensure a soft image with any lens, shoot at f/16 or smaller at ISO 1,600 or above at default sharpening in daylight of subjects at differing distances in the same image.
People worry waaaaay too much about sharpness. It's not 1968 anymore when lenses often weren't that sharp and there could be significant differences among them; today they are all pretty much equally fantastic.
So long as you have perfect focus, this lens is super-sharp at 50 megapixels from full-frame corner-to-corner even wide-open at f/2.8 at every focal length. Brilliant!
The only limitation to picture sharpness will be your skill as a photographer. It's ultra-ultrasharp:
MTF wide-open (black) and at f/8 (blue), at 10 cyc/mm (bold) and 30 cyc/mm (light). Saggital (solid) and meridional (dashed).
Spherochromatism performance top
Spherochromatism, also called secondary spherical chromatic aberration or "color bokeh," is an advanced form of spherical and chromatic aberration in a different dimension than lateral chromatic aberration. It happens mostly in fast normal and tele lenses when spherical aberration at the ends of the color spectrum are corrected differently than in the middle of the spectrum. Spherochromatism can cause colored fringes on out-of-focus highlights, usually seen as green fringes on backgrounds and magenta fringes on foregrounds. Spherochromatism is common in fast lenses of moderate focal length when shooting contrasty items at full aperture. It goes away as stopped down.
It has a goods amount of spherochromatism, with out-of-focus background highlights with blue-cyan fringes and out-of-focus foreground highlights with reddish fringes:
Mondaine A132.30348.11SBB, 06 April 2021. Canon R5, EF 70-200/2.8L IS III at 200mm at f/2.8 at 1/8,000 at Auto ISO 100 (LV 16.0). bigger or camera-original © file.
1,200 × 900 pixel (16.8× magnification) crop from above. bigger or camera-original © file.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 3" (7.5cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a large 14 × 21″ (35 × 55 cm) at this same high magnification.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 6" (15cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a huge 27½ × 41¼″ (70 × 105 cm) at this same high magnification.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 12" (30cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a mammoth 55 × 82½″ (1.4 × 2.1 meters) at this same extremely high magnification!
Sunstars performance top
With an 8-bladed rounded diaphragm I get 8-pointed sunstars on brilliant points of light mostly at the smallest apertures.
Ignore the the vertical smear at large apertures, this is is a sensor artifact called interline transfer smear and not a lens defect.
Likewise ignore the crazy rainbow effects at small apertures; these are sensor artifacts caused by taking a picture directly of the sun and exposing for the dark underside of a huge palm tree, and using that same palm tree to hide the sky to accentuate the stars.
Click any to enlarge:
Click any to enlarge.
Teleconverters (extenders) performance top
It works with any of the Canon EF teleconverters. Canon calls them "extenders;" same thing.
The original and -II versions of the EF teleconverters can be stacked for additional extension, however the -III versions cannot stack.
Teleconverters work even better on mirrorless cameras; use your choice of EF teleconverters on the back of the lens, and use an EF to RF adapter on the back of the converter and attach the back of the adapter to the mirrorless camera. Autofocus is still fast with both my Extender EF 2x II and Extender EF 1.4x II stacked!
RF teleconverters cannot be used with this lens or with an EF to RF adapter.
Tripod Collar performance top
The tripod collar comes off the back of the lens. You have to have the lens removed from the camera to slip it off.
It has a big knob to lock or control the friction for rotation.
It has no 90º click stops.
Compared top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing Format
Compatibility Specifications Accessories
USA Version Performance Compared
Versus the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM.
The mirrorless RF lens costs much more simply because it's newer. The RF lens is a much smaller, lighter and mostly plastic lens.
Optics of both of these lenses are state-of-the-art, however the focus shift I saw with the EF lens on my R5 leads me to prefer the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM over the EF lens on an EF to RF adapter for use on mirrorless cameras.
Announced |
2018 June |
2019 October |
Filter Threads |
77mm, metal |
77mm, plastic |
Sharpness & Optical Quality |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Yes |
No |
|
Works on mirrorless? |
Yes, with EF to RF adapter |
Yes |
Excellent |
Excellent |
|
AF Performance on Mirrorless |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Diaphragm |
8 blades |
9 blades |
Sunstars |
8 points |
18 points |
Barrel |
Mostly metal |
Mostly plastic |
Zoom system |
Internal |
Pumper |
Flare |
Moderate |
Very little |
Manual Focus |
Direct mechanical |
Indirect electronic |
instant Manual Focus Override? |
Always |
No, only if programmed in menus and only in some modes |
Length at 70mm setting |
7.83" 199mm |
5.75" 146mm |
Weight, no collar |
50.3 oz. 1,425g |
37.5 oz. 1,062g |
Price, 04/2021 |
Versus the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II.
I covered this back at New. It's mostly just grayer paint on the newer -III version.
User's Guide top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing Format
Compatibility Specifications Accessories
USA Version Performance Compared
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III. bigger.
Manual-Focus Override user's guide top
So much better than anything mirrorless, just turn the focus ring at any time. It's all mechanical with no menus to set.
1.2m-∞ / 2.5m-∞ Switch user's guide top
This is a focus limiter.
Leave it in 1.2m-∞, where autofocus will cover the full range.
The 2.5m-∞ position prevents the lens from autofocusing closer than 2.5 meters (8 feet). Use this setting only if you're having a problem with the lens attempting to focus on irrelevant close items, or if for some reason the lens is "hunting" from near to far looking for distant subjects.
AF - MF Switch user's guide top
AF: Auto Focus. You have instant manual focus override by turning the focus ring at any time.
MF: Manual Focus only.
Stabilizer Switches user's guide top
ON / OFF
Leave it ON unless you're on a very sturdy tripod, or if you're making exposures longer than a second on any kind of tripod.
Mode 1 / 2
Mode 1: Normal.
Mode 2: Panning.
Tripod Collar user's guide top
The collar comes off if you pull it towards the rear while rotating it.
You have to have the lens off of the camera.
Recommendations top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing Format
Compatibility Specifications Accessories
USA Version Performance Compared
I'd get my EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III at at Adorama, at Amazon, at B&H or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This is 99% the same as the previous 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II, which is an extraordinary lens. If you own the previous model, there's no need to get this one.
If you don't own a 70-200/2.8, this is the best there is for DSLR & 35mm cameras and doesn't cost much more than the previous -II version, especially when you realize that when you go to sell this lens when upgrading to the -IV version in 2027 that you'll get much less for the -II rather than this -III version.
For mirrorless, use this fully professional all-metal EF lens on an EF to RF adapter and save $600 over using the plastic RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM.
Personally I prefer the Canon 100-400mm IS L II over any 70-200 because it focuses closer than any 70-200mm lens, and I really use the 200-400mm range and never miss the 70-100mm range. The 100-400 is slower, but my digital cameras have loads of high ISO ability and I get softer backgrounds at 400mm and f/5.6 than I do with 200mm at f/2.8 (defocus depends much more on focal length than f/stop). In light of how extraordinary is the 100-400mm II, I suggest a 70-200/2.8 only for people shooting film or who place a huge premium on having f/2.8 rather than f/4. Unless you really shoot at 2.8 often, the 70-200mm f/4L IS II is a much lighter and closer focusing lens for a lot less money, and it's at least as sharp as this 70-200/2.8 III.
This 70-200/2.8 III is the best 70-200/2.8 you can get for Canon DSLR or 35mm camera, so if you want a 70-200/2.8 don't let me stop you; I just prefer the 100-400mm or slower and smaller f/4 lens. This is why Canon makes so many lenses; we all have different wants and needs.
This new -III is the best bargain in pro 70-200/2.8 lenses; there is no better lens, but you can pay a lot more for the dinky Sony or the also excellent Nikon.
I use a clear (UV) protective filter instead of a cap. I only use a cap when I throw this in my bag, otherwise I leave a clear protective filter on my lens at all times so I'm ready to shoot instantly.
The best protective filter is the 77mm Hoya multicoated HD3 UV which uses hardened glass and repels dirt and fingerprints.
For less money, the B+W 77mm 010 is an excellent filter, as is the multicoated version and the basic multicoated Hoya filters or the 77mm Nikon Clear (NC - UV), but the Hoya HD3 is the toughest and the best.
Filters last a lifetime, so you may as well get the best. The Hoya HD3 stays cleaner than the others since it repels oil and dirt, and will outlast this lens.
For color slides like Fuji Velvia 50, I use a 77mm Nikon A2 or 77mm Hoya HMC 81A outdoors.
For B&W film outdoors, I'd use a 77mm Nikon Y48 or O56 filter, or a 77mm Hoya HMC Yellow K2 or 77mm orange filter. Use a yellow filter for normal results outdoors on B&W, and I prefer the orange for stronger clouds. If you use no filter the skies and clouds will be washed-out because B&W film is overly sensitive to blue and ultra-violet light; a yellow filter gives a natural rendition. A 77mm red filter will give darker skies with even more prominent clouds.
I'd get my EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III at at Adorama, at Amazon, at B&H or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This 100% all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally approved sources I've used myself for way over 100 combined years when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Canon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, non-USA, store demo or used lens — and all of my personally approved sources allow for 100% cash-back returns for at least 30 days if you don't love your new lens. I've used many of these sources since the 1970s because I can try it in my own hands and return it if I don't love it, and because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new lens before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I've used myself for decades for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
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Ken Rockwell.
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