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Review by jmarshall on 30 October 2008

Individual review
Build Quality	5
Reliability	4
Sharpness	5
Bokeh	5
Other Image Quality	5
AF Accuracy	5
AF Speed	5
AF (difficult conditions)	4
Value for money	4

Pros:  Superb image quality, excellent portrait lens, very flexible. Built like a tank.
Cons:  Large and heavy! Might scare people away.

The 70-200 2.8 IS has quickly become my favourite lens. It's *the* photojournalist's lens, great for capturing those moments without your subject being aware or self-conscious.

I generally shoot this in the f/2.8-4 range, and it delivers sharp images and excellent bokeh in that range.

With the lens hood on, the front element is protected quite well from the environment and you can keep shooting in the rain or dust. It's also a rugged and solid hunk of metal and glass, and there are stories of it surviving drops from elephant backs onto cobblestones.

The only downsides are really the weight/bulk and price. The price is justifiable, and the weight you can get used to.

Review by Amanda on 29 September 2008

Individual review
Build Quality	5
Reliability	5
Sharpness	5
Bokeh	5
Other Image Quality	5
AF Accuracy	5
AF Speed	4
AF (difficult conditions)	5
Value for money	5

Pros:  IQ, build
Cons:  focuses SLIGHTLY slower than other versions

The IQ on this lens is undeniably great. Having used this and the f4 non-IS version, I will say that I did not expect to see SUCH a difference in overall IQ, but the 2.8 IS version has the creamy goodness.

I did find this lens slower to focus than the f4 non-IS version, which is understandable given the amount of glass being moved. I will maintain an f4 in my arsenal for some things, but if i had to choose, I would go 2.8 IS.

I'm not super-buff and I don't find this lens a problem to use for extended periods, either.

Review by jjacula on 16 May 2008

Individual review
Build Quality	5
Reliability	5
Sharpness	5
Bokeh	5
Other Image Quality	5
AF Accuracy	5
AF Speed	5
AF (difficult conditions)	5
Value for money	4

Pros:  Fantastically versatile lens, beautiful bokeh
Cons:  Pretty costly, gets heavy around your neck after a few hours of shooting.

I LOVE this lens. If I could use this lens for everything, I would. It gives my images a beautiful creamy tone, the bokeh is stunning and this lens is super fast.
I don't find it heavy or difficult to hand hold (however, I am a very strong woman), but it does get rather heavy on a neck strap after a few hours. Definitely look into some kind of other harness or strap system to relieve the strain on your neck.

Review by Simon on 13 May 2008

Individual review
Build Quality	5
Reliability	5
Sharpness	4
Bokeh	5
Other Image Quality	5
AF Accuracy	5
AF Speed	5
AF (difficult conditions)	5
Value for money	4

Pros:  Great colour, contrast, AF speed, bokeh, build
Cons:  Weight, price

I use this lens for 3/4 of my keepers at a wedding - it is that good. Sharpness wide open can be a bit of a lottery but get it calibrated if need be and it will be your most used lens.

Very heavy and gets you noticed but the images that come from it have a creamy bokeh that is excellent. Colours and contrast are also up to usual L standard.

Expensive - yes but you get what you pay for

Review by luke on 13 May 2008

Individual review
Build Quality	5
Reliability	5
Sharpness	5
Bokeh	5
Other Image Quality	5
AF Accuracy	5
AF Speed	5
AF (difficult conditions)	5
Value for money	5

Pros:  Silent, fast, solid, and produces great images wide open
Cons:  Some would say price, weight

This lens has it all for photojournalistic shooting: it's sharper wide open than a lot of primes, focusses fast (with a handy limiter switch), is virtually silent to use, has a stabiliser for those moments when you need 1/30 @ 2.8 @ ISO3200, and is built like a brick.

It's also as heavy as a brick, which I think is a good thing, as it's nice to get buff while shooting ;-)

It's by no means a cheap lens, but you do get what you pay for. IS, f/2.8 and being perfect sniping glass make this lens worthy of its price tag.

Review by tim on 13 May 2008

Individual review
Build Quality	5
Reliability	5
Sharpness	5
Bokeh	5
Other Image Quality	5
AF Accuracy	5
AF Speed	5
AF (difficult conditions)	5
Value for money	4

Pros:  Fantastic image quality and build quality
Cons:  Expensive, heavy

This is probably my best lens. It works great under all conditions, and produces amazing image quality. It's quite heavy, but I can use it for a few hours at a wedding reception ok, with short breaks. The only real downside is the price, but it's still reasonably priced given its performance