One of Canon’s most popular L-series lenses, the 70-200mm f/4 is fairly small and lightweight, making it easy to carry all day. Years ago, I described its image quality as excellent. Nowadays I’d describe it as good. Is it better than a non-L, variable aperture zoom? Sure it is. It’s still the “gateway” L lens, where many people realize those L lenses are more expensive because they’re worth it.

It’s an inexpensive lens compared to other L lenses, so it’s a bargain. Will you miss the IS? Not if you’re shooting in bright sunlight, but at dusk or a heavily overcast day you probably will. Is it optically as good as the newer 70-200 f/4 IS II? No. No it’s not. But it’s better than a 70-300 variable aperture zoom at an equally low price.

If you’re looking for the best quality 70-200 f/4 lens, though, then you want the 70-200 f/4 IS II, which is far sharper throughout the zoom range. It should be; its design is 15 years newer and it’s more expensive.

January 2019