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 p.1 #16 · My 2 days with the two RF 70-200 f/2.8L (Z and non Z) lenses (pros/cons for those deciding between the two) | |
Carlo_M wrote:
This is aimed at those who are interested in buying an RF 70-200 f/2.8 and are trying to decide if the Z version is worth the extra money. I have owned, and loved, the original 2019 RF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM. I've taken thousands of shots in the 3+ years I've owned it. When the Z version was released last year, all of the review sites showed that it was slightly sharper edge-to-edge than the original version at all apertures. Since I don't shoot landscape or architecture with this lens, and most of the time the subject is in, or close to, the middle (e.g.portraits), I didn't really care if the corners weren't super sharp. However, I've started to use the 70-200 more on video, so I decided to pull the trigger on the Z since my local shop was having We Pay Sales Tax Mother's Day sale on top of the Canon Instant Rebate. I looked at what KEH would pay for my older lens and it was within $500 of what I paid for it back in the day (another No Tax sale with a big Canon rebate and pre-tariff original MSRP). I've had both lenses for 2 days and have used them intensively, and as someone who shoots about 60% stills, 40% video, here are my thoughts when comparing the two, and why I'm comfortable selling my beloved old lens.
Pros of the Z lens (that I can confirm and made a significant difference for me):
- Shorter throw & easier to turn zoom dial. This is a benefit for both stills and video, but an added benefit for video is much less camera shake if you're zooming in/out while filming.
- The lens is parfocal as far as I can tell (or very near to it) with hardly noticeable focus breathing.
- The "extra control ring" is in a much better place ergonomically, at the end of the lens, vs. next to the camera body as it was in the old lens. I know many don't use it, but I set it to exposure comp. and it's invaluable to me as an extra control.
- A bonus programmable button on the Z version. I like as many buttons/rings as I can get to program extra controls - I use this to enable/disable Whole Area AF.
- Non-extending design feels more ergonomic to use, since the length of the lens doesn't change, nor does the balance as far as I can tell (makes it more gimbal friendly).
- Autofocus feels a tad faster, smoother and quieter than the older lens. No, it's not at the level of the VCM lenses, but it is a small yet noticeable improvement over the original.
- Aperture ring. Since I have an R5mk2, it works for both video and stills. I don't mind that it's smooth and not stepped, YMMV.
- Compatible with 1.4X and 2X extenders. This was one thing that annoyed me with the old version.
- It comes in black. I don't shoot in high heat environments so I don't foresee this being a problem, and it draws less attention. If I ever take it on a shoot with known high heat, I'll buy a white lens coat for it.
Pros of the Z according to other reviewers/testers that I haven't confirmed (and won't be able to before I sell my old lens):
- Sharper at the corners/edges than the original lens. Enough reviewers have verified this to be true, but as I mentioned, most of my shooting with this lens has the subject near the middle (or at least not at the corners) so this is a nice-to-have but not a big deal to me when comparing to the old lens.
- 11 vs 9 aperture blades should give you better bokeh. I'm not an expert judge of bokeh quality, they both look good to my eyes.
- Power Zoom module compatibility - looks really cool. But I don't know if it's $1200 cool.
- Non extending design means less chance of dust getting in the lens. Logically true, but looking inside my old lens I can see no dust after more than 3 years of use.
Cons to the Z (for my use case)
- Tripod foot is detachable, but not the collar. Odd choice by Canon, not sure why. Also the foot doesn't have Arca grooves, so you still need to buy a plate if you're in that ecosystem.
- Non extending design means the original lens packs down significantly smaller. I have already missed the smaller size, but the number of Pros far outweigh this Con for me.
Odds and Ends (neither pro nor con)
- Larger 82mm thread means none of the 77mm filters will work on this, if you go from the non-Z to the Z version. Luckily the variable ND filters I bought (the NiSi ND Vario system) I got at 95mm, so I just had to buy an 82-95 step up ring.
- Different lens hood. I have the 100-500L which uses the exact same lens hood as the non Z version. Which meant when I took those two lenses to a shoot, I only had to bring one lens hood and could swap it between lenses. Not anymore. The 100-500L hood does not fit on the 70-200L Z version. So that's extra bulk in the camera backpack.
I will miss the portability of the old lens, but in the two days I've used both (shot nature, wildlife, landscape, birds in flight, friend's kids playing at the park), the Z version is just unquestionably better....Show more →
I've had the Z for a couple months and here are a couple comments:
The Canon supplied hood is somewhat bulky when trying to pack as efficiently as possible, so I've switched to using a couple metal screw-on hoods I found on Amazon. One is 82mm and 1.5" deep and works fine. The other is 77mm and 1" deep and also works fine with an 82-77 step down ring. An advantage of going with a 77mm hood is that at the front it's 82mm and the cap can be attached there if desired. You can also use another 82-77 step down on the front of that hood and attach another 77mm metal hood to extend it to 2", but I found it caused slight vignetting. The 1.5" 82mm metal hood though is no problem.
If you think the Z's hood is bulky, the 135/1.8's hood is ridiculously huge because it's the same one used by the 600/11.
The smooth, light, fast zoom throw and TC compatibility is what sold me on this lens and it does not disappoint. And the option for black. I don't have much experience with the Canon VCM lenses but I'd be surprised if the Z is slower. To me the Z seems to focus instantly. Being able to effortlessly rack the zoom from end to end while following action, without having to torque the zoom ring like with the extending zoom design 70-200s and 100-500 makes following action while zooming much, much easier.
Canon has never supplied an Arca compatible tripod foot and doubt they ever will.
I still kept my RF 70-200/4 though because it's so darn compact.
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