Used Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens

Condition & contents

At a glance: Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM - lightweight constant-f/4 L telephoto zoom, non-IS.

About this lens

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM is the original lightweight L-series telephoto zoom - a constant f/4 aperture, ring-type USM autofocus and the weather-resistant L build, in a lens roughly half the weight of the f/2.8 version.

Build & handling

Works with

• Canon EF-mount DSLR bodies (full-frame and APS-C)
• Canon EOS R mirrorless bodies via the EF-EOS R adapter
• 67mm filters
• Canon Extender EF 1.4x / 2x (autofocus depends on body)

Best for

A long-standing favourite for portraits, sport in good light, and travel where the f/2.8 version is simply too heavy. Optically excellent for its age and still sharp wide open. This is the non-stabilised version, so it wants faster shutter speeds or a monopod at 200mm; the later f/4L IS models add stabilisation at higher cost. Works on full-frame and APS-C, where it gives roughly 112-320mm equivalent.

Frequently asked questions

Is the lack of stabilisation a problem?

It depends how you shoot. In daylight at 1/250s or faster you will rarely notice. For handheld work in dull light, or for video, the IS versions are markedly easier to use. Many people accept the trade for the lower price and lighter weight.

How does it compare with the f/2.8L?

The f/2.8 gathers twice the light and gives stronger background separation, but weighs around 1.3kg against roughly 705g. If you carry a lens all day or shoot mostly outdoors, the f/4 is the more practical choice.

Will it work on Canon RF mirrorless bodies?

Yes, via the Canon EF-EOS R adapter. Autofocus and IS are preserved, and the lens functions normally on R, R5, R6, R7, R8, R50 and other RF bodies.