Canon 70-200mm f4 Focusing Speeds Help

Tyler138

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Alex Tyler
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Hello,

I just bought a Canon 70-200mm f4 non IS off the forum here and its great, i am just a bit unsure about the focusing. This is my first L lens and first USM lens as well.

So i have been using the 50mm 1.8ii for ages before i bought the 70-200 and went back to the 50mm for a shot yesterday and the focusing is much faster on the 50mm. I no prime lenses are mant to be fast but against a USM L lens the seems to be a bit of difference.

Is this normal because i am comparing to a prime and different focal lengths..?

Any ways of checking the focus properly on the 70-200, i have used it for some basic shots messing about but not to sure if the speed is up to quality.

Worth taking for a service somewhere, and what sort of price would i be looking at if i did want to service it.

Thanks,

Tyler
 
Any shots over 3 metres use the focus limit switch this will speed up focussing no end as the lens will not have to hunt through its full range to find focus.
Generally fast aperture lenses will focus faster due to the extra light , that being said I have always been happy with the focus speed on my 70-200.
Rob
 
Any shots over 3 metres use the focus limit switch this will speed up focussing no end as the lens will not have to hunt through its full range to find focus.
Generally fast aperture lenses will focus faster due to the extra light , that being said I have always been happy with the focus speed on my 70-200.
Rob

Cheers will keep that in mind, i didnt really think of that. Yeh i know about the fast apertures being faster but i am unsure really as i havent had an L or USM lens before so i dont have anything to compare it to.

It seems to pause occasionally for a second as well when i trying to focus which i dont think is right
 
The 70-200 I had focused very quick and locked on accurately - esp when compared to my mates 50 mm 1.8.

Make use of the focus limit switch as this really helps if an initial lock on can't be achieved.

Hope this helps ....
 
i have the 70-200 IS 4 and its def fast to focus and especially fast to start hunting as well
 
It should be fast.

I've used one before and there was no noticeable focus time. Just half click and it was in focus.
 
I have the 70mm-200m L non IS,but it does not have a limit switch,but i dont have a problem with it.:)
 
I have the 70mm-200m L non IS,but it does not have a limit switch,but i dont have a problem with it.:)

Err, all the Canon 70-200 lenses have the focus limiter switch. If yours doesn't then it's not a Canon 70-200.
 
Think it may have a problem then, what do you think contact who I bought it off or try get it fixed..? How much roughly could it cost..?
 
Err, all the Canon 70-200 lenses have the focus limiter switch. If yours doesn't then it's not a Canon 70-200.
I think i know what lens i have.:p
 
The current version of the 70-200 f/4L non IS has a switch for 1.2m-inf or 3m-inf
 
AFAIK they should all have a focus limiter switch like in this picture...

Canon-EF-70-200mm-f-4.0-L-USM-Lens.jpg
 
Of course they have,just winding you up,i was bored.:D:p:lol:
 
Mine is fine too. As mentioned, it's not as fast as my 50mm prime, but it's not what I'd call slow either. It was quite happy focusing on the bloke across the road last night, nearly falling off the roof :D
 
Think all is well, think it is due to only being able to test it in the evening so the light has been pants. Should be out properly on the weekend and hopefully see someone i know with one so will see what he thinks as well.
 
would have thought most if not all primes would focus faster than a zoom purely down to the mechanics of glass moving :shrug:

i have 70-200 non IS and its pretty damned quick provided the focus limiter is set right :thumbs:
 
would have thought most if not all primes would focus faster than a zoom purely down to the mechanics of glass moving :shrug:

i have 70-200 non IS and its pretty damned quick provided the focus limiter is set right :thumbs:

Yeh that is what i was thinking, but hadn;t used a USM L lens before so didnt no what to compare it to.
 
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