by Gavin Seim: Canon just released version II of the 70-200 2.8 IS, which may be their most legendary lens ever. My friends Ben & Molly from Nickles photography just got the new 70-200 2.8 IS II in their hands, so I went over for some tests (thanks for the help Ben). Being that the V1 is such a great lens, many (including myself) have been wondering how much it could be improved. And with a price tag of nearly $2500, it better offer something new. According to Canon the V2 “increases the speed, performance and optical quality of the 70-200, while maintaining all of the characteristics that have made it a legend“.
Well the images are in and so is this lens. I think Canon nailed it. Now granted their can be differences between one lens and another of the same model and my V1 lens is a few years old. It’s still in excellent working order however so I feel the comparison is pretty fair. These examples were all shot in RAW on the 5D MK2 under the same conditions and settings for each sequence. Images were processed in Lightroom 2, but no adjustments were added except that Camera Calibration in was set to Camera Standard.
Aside from the image quality I found a couple of interesting things. The V2 seems to shoot nearly 1/3 stop brighter and with a tad wider view than the V1. I checked this using a tripod for the detail tests to make sure the camera position would be the same. The V2 does indeed seem to be a few mm wider. I don’t know what that would be, I’m just showing what I found. I don’t see this as a big problem however. In fact the V2 letting in more light seems a good thing.
So far I’m impressed. See for yourself below. I’m posting full frames alongside tight details crops of each image. You can click any for a larger view,. You can also download the package of full res JPEG files at the bottom of the post if you want to take a close look. You can find this lens here on B&H or here on Adorama or here on Amazon. OK lets get started.
Image Stabilization Tests.
For each test I hand held 2oomm at 1/20th, supporting the lens barrel with my left and pressing the body firmly against my face. I took 5 consecutive shots for each comparison so I could account for variations in my own steadiness (or lack thereof). The results shown are the sharpest image from each sequence of five images, as well as crop zoomed in view of the same. While the V1 was good, the V2 of the lens was clearly better, producing consistently better IS performance.
It can't be said that IS is not useful. Even on the V1 it makes a huge difference. But on V2... Well read on.
Yes the V2 is better. It's amazing how clear this is for 200mm hand held at 1/20th. I'm impressed.
I knew IS was a good thing, but I was actually amazed how blurry the scene was without it. And just like the other sequences, this was the best of the five.
Contrast & Detail Tests.
Here are three comparison groups for image quality. Each group was taken exactly the same settings on a tripod with a cable release. Like I said before, my V1 lens, while is perfectly functional condition, has been heavily used for about 3 years. Though I don’t feel the use I’ve given it should have significantly effected the optics, since the glass in near perfect condition. The decision. I definitely found the V2 was better here as well. More contrast, about 1/3 stop more light let in and overall more detail, especially in certain area (like the camper in the second sequence). You can DL the full res pack below if you’d like a closer look.
The results are not widely different on this first test. The V2 seems to have a bit better contrast, but the detail seems fairly close on both the V1 and V2.
In this set I defiantly notice a difference in detail. Especially in the house numbers and the camper in the corner (which in V1 feels blurry by comparison).
Again, noticeably more contrast and detail in the V2 compared to my old V1. Neither are bad considering the zoom factor of the crop, but you can see it in the details. The V2 wins it again.
The Bottom Line.
I say the Canon 20-200 2.8 IS II nails it. It looks pretty much the same on the outside, but it’s what’s inside that counts. It also focuses slightly closer and best of all, contrast, detail and Image Stabilization are all improved. It is just a tiny bit fatter, but no big deal (specs on Canon’s site). Bottom line. I want this lens. While I love my V1, the V2 wins hands down. If Canon maintains quality control I foresee this lens being king of the hill. Will I be upgrading? Lets just say I’d like to. It’s not at the top of my budget, but I could definitely see myself selling my V1 off for a V2.
You can find this lens here on B&H or here from Adorama or here on Amazon. Happy shopping… Gav
- Download Full Resolution JPEG Files ZIP -
You often can’t tell the difference when photo comparisons are put online, but you can clearly differentiate between even the low-res samples you’ve posted. Thank you, Gavin.
That’s rubbish, I was really hoping you were going to say there was no difference but now I’ve got to convince my wife I need this lens as well!!! Canon have done a great job to improve a great lens. Top review Gavin.
Haha, I hear ya Robert. I’m feeling the same way ;) Gav
Looks like I am going to finally be selling my 70-200 F4 IS L! Great Review, I have been wanting to see what this babies going to do! Now im in the same boat as Robert! But I think selling my other 70-200L and 135L well help convince! Try that Robert!
I bought the V2 IS two days ago and compared it with the original version without IS. For now only at 2,8. The original version has a bit less contrast, but perfect bokeh with perfectly smooth transition from sharp to unsharp. The V2 IS is crisper in the zone of absolute sharpness but tends to show very mild double lines in unsharp areas. Maybe just seeable in direct comparison at 100 %. If you push local contrast with USM and apply some more smart sharpening in PS (or use sharpness 7-8 in DPP) the original version is is as crisp as the new V2 but the smoothness of transition and bokeh stay slightly better. Initially I wanted to sell my original one without IS. Now I am thinking about keeping it for portraits and studio use. Please don´t misunderstand me. I am quite happy with my new lens which has a fantastic IS but I am astouned how good the very first version of the 2,8/70-200 is. Maybe I have a good copy. Ryan, don´t sell the 2/135L
The moving up from V1 to V2 is the best decision I have made (except for the financial side, a lot of folks are bitching about the high price – only a shade more than the Nikon VR II version but almost none of the Nikon community bitch about it???).
Beside the improvement on contrast and overall sharpness, the 1.2 meter min focus is the best god sent feature for V2 – the 20cm difference from the 1.4 meter min focus is a life saver(in pro working situation anyway) that most people not recognizing between V1 and V2. It is between head and shoulder (V1) and tight face crop (V2) – do have to watch out for heavily uneven eyes if doing 3/4 faces with f2.8 – I would stop down to f5.6 if shooting people’s faces very close.
Hi I was just wondering about the new F2.8 v2 compared to the f4 version,, I have always read that the f4 version was much crisper and sharper then the 2.8 v1, so how does it compare to the new v2.
That’s amazing. Canon made a great improvement!
Thank you for uploading your images. I will definitely buy the new version of this lens.
Do I dare say that in the last two shots, the bokeh looks much better on the V1?
I must be dumb, I hadn’t actually realized that the Mk II had only just been released until recently… AFTER I ordered it, I asked for a 70-200 f2.8 IS on the basis of what I’d read about the Mk I and the guy surprised me when he asked “Mk II ?” and I just said “er… yeah”.
Now I’m double-excited about collecting it next week after all the great reviews!! Mind you, I wondered why it was more expensive than I expected, I just thought I’d been pricing the wrong lens from the start!
I was lucky to be in a position to order it along with a 5D Mk II with battery grip, a 24-70 f2.8L , 2x Mk II extender, 580EX Mk II flash and a new ball-head for my Manfrotto tripod. No, I’m not rich, I’ve waited and saved for 6 years while using my trusty 20D. Xmas has come at last for me hooray!
I see only that mk I is a bit darker and the mk II is focusing on a a different way.
It looks like the sharpness of mkI is overal uniform, but on mkII is a range of more clear sharpness and the rest is softer, This can be seen in the images PPS_70_200_LR_08 and PPS_70_200_LR_010 from your test.
Similar could be seen on PPS_70_200_LR_012 and PPS_70_200_LR_014.
From this tests, mkII wins in my opinion, only indoor in the samples with that vegetables.
Just my opinion.
…and yes, because mkII is a bit brighter it reveals more shadows details, but loose some details on the highliths side.
It could be interesting in shot side by side, using a corection for exposure, so that both to get the same light in picture, and to be compared only the details.
I’ve owned the 70-200 2.8L IS for a couple of years now and use it on a 5D with excellent results. The lens is used for portraits and weddings, both externally and with Elinchrom FX 400 flash units. I watched the launch of the Mk2 with interest and it seems from all the comments that the new lens is a significant step forward. It’s, also true of the 5D mk11 over the original, so now I face a dilemma. The outlay for both would be heavy, but an ideal solution, which would have to go via the committee, if you follow my drift. If it has to be one or the other, my feeling is that the greater benefit would be derived from the camera upgrade, which would then increase the performance of the Mk1 lens. I have to say though that the tests still show the Mk1 to be a great piece of kit and I’m wondering whether to retain what I have and love and go for the 16-35 2.8L to give me useful wide angle. The other lenses I use are 24-70 2.8L and 100mm 2.8 macro.
Thanks for a great article and any comments and thoughts would be much appreciated.
I would tend to agree Nick. While the 5D MK2 is certainly not perfect (focus still too slow, lenses detaching etc) It’s still a very effective tool and is great in terms if ISO. If you have the V! and are still on the orig 5D generation I’d say get a new body. As much as I like the V@ of thsi lens, I still have a V!. While I would like the new one it’s not ultra high on my budget list. Their both great lenses.
Thanks Gavin, much appreciated.
The vast majority of the work I do calls for prints ranging from 6X4in to 12X8in and from what I’ve seen in terms of comparision, I doubt whether the majority of recipients would start to tell the difference. If I were to produce exhibition size work, then that would be a different matter. Also, I have a fairly good grasp of Photoshop and Unsharp Mask, or High Pass, used in the correct manner, can help to plug the gap to some extent. Having discussed the options with the committee, I have sanction to go for the 5D2 and may go for the wide angle instead.
Thanks for the review. I pick up my new IS II tomorrow :-) I am sooo excited. It will be keeping my 24-70 L and 100 Macro L company in my camera bag.
Thanks for the review – I don’t have a big budget but I’m getting older so I couldn’t wait any longer for this almost lengendary lens. I have one year to practice before heading to the Galapagos to use if for wildlife “portrait” work!