The original EF 80-200mm f/2.8L AFD zoom lens was one of the popular EF lenses available and partly responsible for the huge success of the Canon EOS System with professional photographers worldwide. However, it has one limitation - its inability to use either the EF Extenders 1.4x and 2x models. Its successor, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM, had the problem solved. The ability of this L-series zoom lens to use either Extender is a boon to these EOS System-based photographers since it allowed them the extra mobility in certain assignments where heavy, single focal length lenses like the EF 300mm f/2.8L USM and the EF 400mm f/2.8L USM are not practical. I have also used the EF 70-200mm zoom lens alone on some motorcycle racing assignments without the need for the f/2.8 300mm telephoto. The Extender EF 2x allows me to increase the zoom lens' effective focal lengths to 140-400mm f/5.6, which is quite adequate to cover most of the action shots I may have in mind. If this lens is unable to use the Extender 2x, I will need to carry the 300mm telephoto to all of my motorcycle racing assignments. The loss of the f/2.8 maximum aperture of the zoom lens to f/5.6 does not bother me at all as I don't really need to use a high shutter speed to stop the action of such races as panning the camera/lens combination will result in a much better overall effect, even with ISO 100 film. The examples below show the differences of the EF 70-200mm zoom lens' focal lengths when it is used with and without the Extender EF 2x. A 125cc rider shot at 200mm The same rider at 400mm (w/EF 2x)     Another 125cc rider at 200mm With the Extender EF 2x attached Of course, the Extender EF 2x is not meant for you to use it strictly for action photography as normal subjects can also be considered, such as still-life, architecture, people, nature, abstracts and candid. One of the Petronas Twin Towers (below) was shot at the 100mm setting of the EF 70-200mm f/4L USM zoom lens with the 2x already attached, increasing the effective focal length to 200mm. The other photo shows how the image looks like when the lens was zoomed to its 135mm setting (270mm). Of course, instead of shooting the tower's top, I decided to concentrate on its design when the zoom lens was set at the 135mm focal length. Petronas Twin Towers at 200mm (w/EF 2x) Close-up of its architectural design at 270mm (w/EF 2x) << Back to Main . 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 .