The Canon Zoom Tele 70-200mm f/2.8L IS (Image Stabilizer) EF USM Auto Focus Lens USA is now for sale at B&H for a price of 1999.95 (US) and is listed as being in stock. Any experience with this lens yet? Optical quality? IS? IS on tripod? AF? All of the the above with teleconverters? Comparison of this lens w/ 2x with 100-400L 5.6 IS?

-- Rod (rod.nygaard@boeing.com), September 24, 2001

Answers

http://www.edwardagnew.com/photogear/phototech_return_frameset.html? =70_200IS.html

-- Peter (pphan01@hotmail.com), September 24, 2001.

WoHo! B&H has cut the U.S. import sale price of this lens to $1899.95

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-- Rod (rod.nygaard@boeing.com), October 16, 2001.

A few weeks ago I picked up the 70-200 IS from my local camera shop. The price was same as B&H. I also own the 100-400 IS. Shooting on a 1V at same subject matter of buildings and their signs on 100 speed film handheld in bright sun both lenses alone and then with 1.4 and 2X converters for comparison...the 70-200 IS is a dream! Awesome sharpness and contrast. No perceivable loss with converters. The IS is great especially with the converters. I would put it on a par with the 2x in place for 400mm as the 100-400 alone. About the tripod. Lens knows when it is on tripod and turns off stabilization. Has panning mode also. Used on a monopod stabilizer works great. Autofocus speed is faster too! Definitely worth the price!!!

-- Greg Dillard (1photopro@home.com), October 16, 2001.

Great info! I'm looking at the 70-200 2.8L IS with Canon 2x II vs the 100-400 4.5-5.6L IS for nature/wildlife photography and for hand hold when tripod impractical such as whale watching, stalking, etc. Even though the out of pocket cost is considerably higher, I'm thinking/hoping that the 70-200 2.8 IS gives a two for one value proposition: a top-notch upper mid-range zoom at 70-200 and a higher range zoom with the 2x that doesn't take a back seat to the 100-400 5.6 L -- and has the added advantage of tripod/monopod stabilization.

So far this possibility is looking quite good...

-- Rod (rod.nygaard@boeing.com), October 17, 2001.

Just got my B&H digital catalog in snailmail; the 70-200 2.8 IS is now listed at $1799.95!

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-- Rod (rod.nygaard@boeing.com), October 25, 2001.

Just in case any one is still listening to this thread, luminous landscape now has and will soon post reviews on te 70-200 2.8 IS lens (and the 400 DO IS!) Sample image for the 400 DO IS of a flock of birds.

http://wwww.luminous-landscape.com/what's.htm

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-- Rod (rod.nygaard@boeing.com), December 05, 2001.

I Just picked up the 70-200 IS from B&H, I paid 1899. Anyway, I am disapointed in the layout of the switches. The Autofocus on-off switch and the IS on-off are both raised too high, and easily moved from their on position to Off. I accidentaly turned off my autofocus over 6 times during my first shoot with the lens, and at criticl moments! Also the IS got turned off, and I didn't notice right away. The older version didn't have such high raised switches that are easily moved, so be careful. As soon as I got home I placed tape over the switches to keep them from moving. Tape on a 1900 lens! A bit of a disgrace if you ask me.

-- Ed McBreen (franbupump@aol.com), December 29, 2001.