Which 70-200mm Canon Lens is Right For You

Have you been trying to figure out which 70-200mm Canon Lens is the most fantastic?Good question, right? As a matter of fact, this question has been bantered about among photographers and online photo forums since the second 70-200mm lens was manufactured .However there is one item that we need to be clear on . Each and every photographer that uses Canon photo equipment inevitably must have a 70-200 Canon lens . This will be the second most important lens in your equipment bag after your walk-around lens (the one that stays on your camera most of the time) . It covers some valuable real estate with regard to focal range .It is truly a multi-tasking lens. You can use it for portraits, street photography, nature shots, some close up work (even though it is not technically a macro lens), and whatever your creative eye can come up with. It is just a great general purpose shooter.In fact, because countless photographers prefer to use the 100mm focal length for their portrait work, this is the favorite lens of many experts for that task.Now, back to the question, which one is best...Each 70-200 Canon lens has its own set of benefits, but the major benefit of every one is superb image quality. They take tack-sharp photos, and they have reliable fast focus due to the hypersonic motor (HSM).The 70-200mm lenses from Canon are their "flagship" lenses. They are proud of them, and they should be. They are each terrific, whether it is the least expensive or the most costly of the category.Notice that each one has the coveted "L" in its title. L is attached to only the best build quality lenses made by Canon. Every photographer covets at least one L lens.One more thing, and this should have been mentioned with the benefits of all lenses in this category. The aperture, whether it is 2.8 or 4.0, is constant throughout the entire focal range. With zoom lenses, this is not always the case . This characteristic adds value because you do not forfeit quality or shutter speed by using the zoom.There are five lenses to choose from made by Canon. There are also third party manufacturers which are really well made, too. However, for this article, we will focus only on the "home-grown" choices.Now for the selling points of each offering.Starting with the least complex, which is also the cheapest:1. Canon 70-200mm f/4.0 L HSM - a highly regarded lens, even though it is a fraction of the price of the more advanced choices. It is the lightest but it still turns heads because of the tell-tale light grey color which is typical of all the lenses in this category. Lacking in IS(image stabilization) it is recommended for use with a tripod if the light is not really bright.2. Canon 70-200 f/4.0 IS L HSM - add IS (image stabilization) to the mix and you can shoot hand-held images at lower shutter speeds, negating the need for a tripod. The IS feature does add a couple of ounces in weight, but the size is identical to the other f/4.0 lens. Price almost doubles though.3. Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L HSM - the larger aperture of 2.8 is a huge plus to some photographers. This alone adds value in terms of being able to shoot at lower light levels with confidence that shutter speeds are fast enough to prevent image blur. The larger aperture adds length and weight to the lens, but it turns out to be about the same price as the previous model.4. Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS L HSM - this is the big brother of the group. The most complex lens has the most desired capabilities. Shooting at 2.8 apertures with IS gets you into very low light shooting without the aid of a tripod. This may include night scenes and concerts. It is a heavy lens, and it is the most expensive of the group. However, many photographers are totally convinced it is the only one to have.5. Just released is the top of the line upgrade - Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L HSM II - same fantastic lens with better technology and a slightly higher price tag.You MUST have one of these lenses. If you are a technology junkie, you will need the top of the line. But if you are on a budget, one of the other models may have to suffice.As you continue your quest for great Canon lenses, make sure to check lots of photography forums, blogs, and information websites. www.CanonEOSlenses.org provides a run down of the most sought after lenses for your Canon EOS digital camera.