Fantastic Tele

I use the lens for several years at a 400D, and more recently to a 70D (http://amzn.to/1zUhkoP). Already on the 400D, I was delighted with the performance of the lens. I photograph it mainly at the zoo, have the lens but also always on vacation here and it has also been at the one or other air show (animals as well as aircraft) served me (and the mind with the old Plastikbomber 400D). This time my impressions:

IMAGE QUALITY:

+ The lens is super sharp. I use almost exclusively fixed focal length, the show naturally high sharpness, but this lens constant source of delight. Even at full aperture, it is doing well, dimmed by 1-2 stages, it is sharper than the (more expensive) versions with Image Stabilizer or diaphragm 2.8.
+ On APS-C sensor the 400D or 70D can I detect no vignetting, especially not under bezel 4. Toll: On the 70D, I can already rely on preset Lens Corrections
+ Other restrictions (Chromatic aberrations and distortion) I can not see.

Autofocus:

+ The autofocus is extremely fast, very quiet and very accurate. This is due to the USM (Ultrasonic Motor = ultrasonic motor). It's just really fun to take pictures with this lens. Together with the 70D and 7 frames / second a brilliant combination.
+ The lens is inner focusing, so does not extend while zooming.

OTHER:

+ Filter Size 67mm is not small, but not huge so many filters can be had relatively cheaply. The can also be used without difficulty because the front lens does not rotate during zooming.
+ Works great with the 1.4x converter from Canon (or third party) and is therefore also known as 98-280mm / 5.6 Zoom usable without the image quality or the auto focus too much suffering.
+ (Relatively) easily, with just 700g I can camera (70D / 400D) and lens rumtragen all day with me (with one hand) and notice of it in the evening nothing.
-Not exactly inconspicuous (thanks to the typical L-color), especially with the huge lens hood
-With A minimum focusing distance of 1.2m, the lens has a maximum magnification ratio of 1: 5, that is for close-ups do not necessarily appropriate.
-no stabilizer and the aperture of the lens 4 do unfortunately unusable in dimly lit halls, at least on the APS-C cameras
-Not specially sealed for outdoor activities with plenty of dust / sand & water contact should be approached cautiously.

Here is my experience in the various fields of application:

Sports (outside):
During the day, the perfect lens for sports photography. On APS-C sensor my 400D / 70D I reached the focal length, whom the 200mm are too short, which can rely on an Extender. Whether football, water sports or other activities, the lens can not be a down. But who photographed much in the evening should the 2.8er version (possibly even with stabilizer) recourse, here the objective is simply not strong enough light.

Portrait & everyday:
Although I have an excellent portrait lens with the 85 / 1.8 (http://amzn.to/1BLYPW7), I use the Canon also like it. The Perfect lens if you want to do during an outing with the family also beautiful pictures of Happy Kids for example. Aperture 4 (or 5.6) is quite sufficient to indemnify beautiful, especially at the long end.

Wildlife / Zoo:
I photograph a lot in zoos but also outdoors (eg wildlife parks) and have a lot of fun here with the lens. In the wild, but are also at 200mm APS-C cameras too little, who puts his emphasis here should definitely set a converter or change to a 70-300. The cost unfortunately as L-lens twice, so the switch does not come into question for myself, because I do not give up the image quality.

Landscapes & Nature:
WHAT? Landscape with a zoom lens? Many might shake your head, but I've just learned to love the lens on longer mountain tours. Of course, it does not replace a wide-angle lens, but on the other side in order to succeed shots that you just can not do with a WW. As you here anyway with small aperture (large f-number) is working, the lens can make full use of its sharpness. Despite the relatively poor (1: 5) magnification alongside succeed even some nice photos of the mountain flora.

CONCLUSION:
I would not want to give back, neither need the 2.8 aperture even the image stabilizer. Can compete with fixed focal lengths of the image quality, and as a telephoto. Who often photographed in low light situation, should change to the 2.8er variant (depending on the purse with IS http://amzn.to/1xStvaJ) - otherwise the ranges of 4 completely, because the picture quality is at least this lens! as good as.

Complements fine with:
Armed Canon 24-70 / 4L (http://amzn.to/1xFEouz), quasi the "Always top" -Bruder, with these two lenses one is for (almost) all situations
Kenko Converter 1.4 (http://amzn.to/1zUhM6x), makes the 70-200 / 4 a 88-280 / 5.6 in to verschmerzenden sacrificing quality and functioning AF !!