Canon currently makes four 70-200mm lenses. Take your choice of f/4 or f/2.8 and with or without image stabilization. I also have a detailed review of the 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS and 70-200mm f/4 L IS version.

When Canon released the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 USM L back in 1999 it was a long awaited lens - not because it took so long from the announcement till availability but simply because the community was eagerly expecting a state-of-the art prosumer tele zoom. Till the EF 70-200mm f/4L saw the light serious amateurs had to choose between the affordable and good but also very aged EF 100-300mm f/5.6L and an extremely expensive and heavy-weight EF 70-200mm f/2.8 USM L.

High-performance, L-series telephoto zoom lens combining light weight and compactness with an f/4 maximum aperture. Inner focusing and the ring USM enable quick and quiet autofocusing. Also, a circular polarizing filter can be attached and used without difficulty because the front lens element does not rotate during focusing. The tripod collar (sold separately) is the same one used with the EF 300mm f/4L USM

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM Lens is arguably Canon's best value "L" Lens , combining professional grade build and optical qualities. Though solidly built, the 70-200 f/4 L is relatively light (25 oz / 705g).

The 70-200mm is one of the most popular lenses around, but Canon has a few options available. Of course, the f/2.8 IS II is the newest, but what about the older version and f/4 version - do they make good alternatives?