2.8 apeture, fast focusing, nice manual focus feel. Balances nicely on 1n w/booster. EXTREMELY SHARP.

May be a touch heavy for those with weak arms. Use the lens hood at all times...flare can be a problem.

THIS IS A ZOOM LENS?!?!?! At f/5.6 to f/8, equal or BETTER than my Mamiya 7 Medium format 65mm (32mm equiv) lens!!! Don't even mention Hasselblad/Carl Zeiss T*....not a chance compared with this "small" format lens. Yes, the Zeiss/Hasselblad was SOFTER, but then it's considered a portrait/wedding camera...not really meant for sharpness. This is BY FAR the best 28-70 zoom that I've ever encountered. No color shift (ed glass anyone?), sharp edge to edge. Even at 50mm, this would WASTE Canon's own 50mm 1.0L EF in terms of edge to edge sharpness, both at f/8. Rent it, then buy it. It's that good. If you don't have the bucks, then save up for this lens if you shoot lots of landscape. Slides are AMAZINGLY sharp, picking off many small details. The 2.8 apeture will come in handy when the light gets low.

My 28-70 2.8L EF has been with me for 6 years. Takes a beating, doesn't miss. Still amazes me as to how EXTREMELY SHARP this lens is. If you're after a bit of extra detail and f/stop, go for the 24 1.4L EF. Or maybe the 35mm 1.4L EF. If you shoot lots of 50mm, then use the 50mm 2.5 Macro...sharper edge to edge than the 50mm 1.0L EF by far. Otherwise, I can't think of another lens in the Canon lineup to use in the 28 to 70 range. Simply put,, this is an AWESOME lens. Buy one, go shooting and try to stop grinning when you get the slides back.

Customer Service

Excellent...on par or better than Lexus service. (Much better than BMW or Mercedes ANYDAY.)

Similar Products Used:

Canon 200 1.8L EF, Canon 70-200 2.8L EF, Canon 85mm 1.2L EF, Canon 300mm 2.8L EF, Canon 50mm 2.5 macro, Mamiya 7 65mm (32mm equiv), Mamiya 7 150mm (70mm equiv), Nikon 80-200 2.8ED, Minolta 70-210 f/4, Minolta 70-210 f/4-5.6 (yuck).

Sharpness and built quality

None at all

I use this lens and 70-200 F4 and it suffice my needs. I combine this with EOS-3 and D-30 for both mediums. Tried 17-35 disappointment due to lower image quality. I am spoilt also with a 903 SWC. Never had the intention to sit in wet marshland or football field in my weekends hence anything over 300mm is not needed. This lens is sharper than many medium format lens. One think one should compare lens with simiilar negative surface area and resolution power. Photodo.com MTF values does not give this all the credit. It should be on par with the 135F2 and 200/1.8 in terms of sharpness. I have comapared it under a zeiss 40x microscope. Unfortunately I do not have an adapter and post my findings. Happy shooting everyone. Buy it and you will be able to shoot slides that are sellable. I shot 10 rolls at a recent wedding for a friend. When they saw the shots they offered to pay for my slides rather than buying any of their pro's. He was using 6x6 and missed half the shots. That's what it is all about. the right place at the right time with the right sharpnesss and composition. Not waht gear you are carrying. Happy shooting. Of course I did not accept his payment for the slides......

Customer Service

Never required

Similar Products Used:

All canon and Hasselblad lenses

Sharpness colour rendition and resolution at all ranges. Nearly all shots with this lens can be published. When used with D30 the conversion factor make this into a sporty focal range without the weight penalty of the 70-200mm 2.8. Shot a wedding recently with a 1V and D30 both fitted with this lens. Effectively I have 28-70 2.87 on acetate and 70-200 on digital. Fantastic! I have NO grimes since there is nothing else comparable. If one feels the cost is too much then buy the consumable grade and don't complain. This lens is for a specific purpose and it is not for beginners or folks no making money from photography. Buy it and enjoy your photography.

None that I can report

Fantastic and worth every penny

Customer Service

Never required

Similar Products Used:

ALL L lens

-"prime lens" sharpness
-color saturation
-almost no distortion
-fast AF
-versatile zoom range

-uncomfortable hood
-obviously a bit bulky
-very cheap and poor case

Incredible lens from an optical point of view. Built well, however could be more "silky".
A must.

Customer Service

-never called

Similar Products Used:

-various Nikons primes and zooms
-Canon EF 85mm f 1.8

Sharpnes/Contrast
Prime Quality Slides
Not as HEAVY as others reported.

none

Excellent lens. If you want absolute quality save up for this lens. I was really planning in getting the Tokina 28-80 f2.8 but "I don't have time to play the return/exchange game if not satisfied" With Canon L lenses it's always RIGHT. (at least for me)

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

Canon 70-200 2.8L
Canon 28-135 IS
Canon 24-85
Canon 100 f2
Canon 50 f1.8

1. Sharp Image
2. Not too bulky
3. Fast AF

1. Len extends which zooming
2. Focus ring and zoom ring a bit loose

A fast AF len, one of the best three lens that you have to own (EF17-35, EF70-200). Come with lens case, not too bulky, zoom & focus ring a bit loose, len extends while zooming (easy to get dust inside). Image is excellent.
Apart from the above minor short comings, it is a perfect lens and hope Canoon can make the zoom like 70-200 f2.8L which is internal zoom.

Customer Service

Never tried.

Similar Products Used:

EF70-200 f2.8L
EF100-400 f4-5.6L
EF17-35 f2.8L
EF28-135 f3.5-4 IS
EOS 1VHS
EOS 30

The Sharpest pro zoom I have ever tried, In believe it to be the best zoom on the market. USM is fast, accurate.

It's too bad Nikon Camera bodies have most of the edge or we'd have a match made in heaven... Hood is a bit awkward. Might be a bit heavy for travel.

The finest lens on the market. If I were a Nikon owner, I'd invest in a Canon camera to use with this range permanently. Excellent, and highly recommended

Customer Service

not yet needed

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 28-70 2.8
Nikon 28-70 2.8
Canon 28-80 USM V
Nikon 35-80 3.5

Tack sharp at all focal lengths & all aperatures, a lot of contrast, color rendition is super, skin tone is marvelous

None yet!

The most complaints I have read from reviewers with any product(from any company) are: 1) It costs too much 2) It is plasticky 3)It's too heavy 4)It could be better!! Well, people everything can be better. So quit your nagging and _itching. There is nothing in this world that is perfect FOR THE PRICE! We all have our opinions. Regardless if it is good or bad. But there is one thing I know and I am d*** good at, that is photography. I shoot a lot of weddings with this Canon 28-70/2.8 L lens. This is my prime lens at any photo shoot. You know what? I have not gotten any complaint from any of my clients for the last three years of using this lens. I shoot a lot medium format film using either my Hasselblad or my Bronica. I would compare my Canon 28-70/2.8 L to my medium format up to an 11 X 14. I guaranteed that if I put two pictures side by side using a Canon L and any medium format that you can't tell the difference between the two. Enough about the complaints on the lens. This is an excellent lens regardless what you photography. It will give you good results. This lens will make you happy and want to shoot more pictures. If you have the money and no complaints, buy the d*** lens. You can complain all you want but it is not going to change anything. Just accept the fact that this is a good lens and drop the b_ll_hit and go take some pictures. As I said before and I'll say it again, IT IS AN EXECELLENT LENS. It has great contrast, color rendition, details, and beautiful skin tone. BUY THE LENS (if you have the money) or go with the generic lens like Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, or Phoenix. These lens will give you similar (not identical) results. It might or might not be as sharp or contrast. These will cost about 1/3 or 1/2 of the brand name lens. It is YOUR MONEY do what you want with it. Just don't be regretful after the deal is done!!!

Customer Service

Have not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 105/2.8 E (extremely harp), Canon 70-200/4 L,
Canon 70-200/2.8 L,
Hasselblad lenses (CFE)
Bronica PS lenses

*Very, very sharp 28mm -> 70mm at all apertures
*Image quality like very good prime lens.
*USM perfect
*f/2.8
*Amazing color saturation and contrast
*Absence of distortion.
*Very sturdy construction.
*Perfect combo with my 70-200 f/2.8L USM

WHAT???

I love fixed focal lens. I was reluctant prior to the purchase of the 28-70 L zoom lens. A question was ever surrounding my mind...
Q- Is it possible to a zoom lens have a image quality like a fixed focal lens????
A- With 28-70 f/2.8L USM and 70-200 f/2.8L USM is! With silence, very fast AF, amazing color saturation and fantastic contrast. Not only like a fixed focal lens but, like various fixed focal lenses f/2.8 from 28mm to 200mm -> 28, 35, 50, 85,100,135,180 and 200 ( 8 lenses !!! ). I have no longing of my all fixed focal lenses... My 28-70L and 70-200L were bought in the used market in excellent state of conservation for a good price (US$ 600 each one)... I don't regret the price. I really recommend this lens.This is without a doubt one of Canons finest lenses. It's worth every penny. *****

Customer Service

Never needed in Brazil

Similar Products Used:

Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L USM, 28mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.8 MKI, 100mm f/2.8 macro USM.

-extremely fast
-extremely sharp
-good contrast
-silent focusing
-smooth motor
-comparable to prime lenses
-well built
-balance well with 1v HS

None

This standard zoom lens is probably the only one you'll need if you ever had to just stick with one lens! It's sharp at all range and apetures. I cannot say enough for this lens. It's like having multiple prime lens all in one, that's how good the quality of this lens is. Nikon's AF-S can't compare with it.

Customer Service

None

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 17-35 2.8 AF-S
Nikon 28-70 2.8 AF-S
Nikon 80-200 2.8 AF-S
Nikon 50mm 1.8
Nikon 50mm 1.4
Canon 17-35mm 2.8L
Canon 70-200mm 2.8L
Canon 135mm 2.8L
Canon 50mm 1.8II
Sigma 17-35mm 2.8-4