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Canon 200mm F2.8 L Lens

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    Canon 200mm F2.8 L Lens

    Maker/Provider: Canon

    Product: 200mm F2.8L (Mk1)

    Overall Rating: 9/10

    Overall Summary: An excellent light, rugged, compact lens that is ideal as a walkabout lens. Produces incredibly sharp images even wide open, with a nice creamy bokeh.

    Detailed Review

    In Use :
    Previously used a 70-200mm F2.8 lens as my general medium walkabout lens, and realised that 90% of the time I was shooting at the 200mm end, so I purchased this lens, it's the Mk1 version, with the only difference (I understand) to the MkII is the hood is built in , rather than the slip/screw on hood of the MkII. This has presented no problems, with no noticeable flare.



    The first real benefit was in weight and size, it's less than half the weight of the canon 70-200 F2.8, and a lot more compact.

    I use it often as a walkabout lens when walking the dogs, frequently for 'people' photography for example the 'Goth Weekend' at Whitby, it was ideal, not only the ability to kick the BG out of focus, but it's an unobtrusive lens, and is perhaps not so intimidating as the big white canon zooms. As one reviewer mentioned ' If you're one of those photogs that need a big, phallic lens to impress other photogs, then this isn't the lens for you. Even with the lens hood, you're gonna have to get used to the idea of looking like someone's dad on the sidelines with a photo hobby' which kind of suits me just fine.

    It also works very well with the Canon 1.4TC, and I often use this combination at sports events like rugby, with a 1.3 crop body I have a 'virtual' 364mm F4 lens.

    I can't say I've really missed the versatility of a zoom, although there have been times when I've frantically been trying to remove the 1.4TC, and missed a shot.

    The image results are excellent, and the quality, bokeh and speed of focusing is very similar to the canon 135mm F2.

    A sample taken with 200mm @ f5.6 with a 1.4TC (on a 1DS MKIII)



    As one review stated 'If you simply want the best image quality you can get at 200mm, the Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 L USM Lens is for you.' (The-Digital-Picture.com) , my experience suggests I'd find it difficult to argue with that.

    Build Quality:
    Excellent, it's an 'L' lens

    Strengths:
    Light, compact, build strength, price, image quality

    Weaknesses:
    No IS, not weather sealed.
    Concentrate on equipment and you'll take technically good photographs. Concentrate on seeing the light's magic colours and your images will stir the soul. - Jack Dykinga
    Light makes photography. Embrace light. Admire it. Love it. But above all, know light. Know it for all you are worth, and you will know the key to photography- George Eastman

    #2
    Re: Canon 200mm F2.8 L Lens

    Les,

    Well done and thank you. I am looking at purchasing a mkII of this lens and your review has been most helpful.
    Ron

    www.severnvalephoto.co.uk

    Cameras: 5D, 7D, 1DmkIV, G1X.
    Lenses: 16-35 F2.8 L, 24-105 F4 LIS, 70-300 LIS, 180 L macro, 200 F2.8 L, 400 F2.8 LIS mkII.

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Canon 200mm F2.8 L Lens

      Ron
      Not sure there is a MkII version of that lens? You may be talking about the 70-200 f2.8L IS (very different lens - and white).

      Cheers
      Jim
      5DIII, 5DII with Grips| 24-70 f2.8L MkII | 24-105 f4L IS | 70-200 f2.8L IS MkII | 50 f/1.4 | 85 f1.8 | 100 f2.8 | 1.4x MkII | Tamron 17-35 f2.8-4 | 580EX II | 600EX RT | Stofen Diffuser | Manfroto 190 CF Tripod w/490RC2 | Epson R3000 | Lexmark CS 510 DE | Nova 5 AW | Mini Trekker AW | Lowepro x300AW | Lastolite Gear (inc HiLite 6x7) | Elinchrom Studio Gear & Quadras

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Canon 200mm F2.8 L Lens

        There is a Mk II version see here for details http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/c...telephoto.html

        jhdee
        jhdee

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Canon 200mm F2.8 L Lens

          jhdee - I do apgolise :)

          I looked before I leaped but not far enough! I think I'd prefer the 200 f2 IS :)
          5DIII, 5DII with Grips| 24-70 f2.8L MkII | 24-105 f4L IS | 70-200 f2.8L IS MkII | 50 f/1.4 | 85 f1.8 | 100 f2.8 | 1.4x MkII | Tamron 17-35 f2.8-4 | 580EX II | 600EX RT | Stofen Diffuser | Manfroto 190 CF Tripod w/490RC2 | Epson R3000 | Lexmark CS 510 DE | Nova 5 AW | Mini Trekker AW | Lowepro x300AW | Lastolite Gear (inc HiLite 6x7) | Elinchrom Studio Gear & Quadras

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Canon 200mm F2.8 L Lens

            Originally posted by EOS_Jim View Post
            I think I'd prefer the 200 f2 IS :)
            I would also prefer the F2, but at 3 times the weight and over 7.5 times the cost, I would have to be earning a pretty good living from that focal length to be able to justify buying one. In that company, the f2.8 looks a bargain in comparison.

            Colin
            Colin

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Canon 200mm F2.8 L Lens

              Really does look like a bargain. But I am not yet sure if I really need one as already have the 180 L Macro. Shall be trying the 180 this coming Thursday to see if it does what I am after, but I suspect the auto focussing will will be too slow for moving targets.
              Ron

              www.severnvalephoto.co.uk

              Cameras: 5D, 7D, 1DmkIV, G1X.
              Lenses: 16-35 F2.8 L, 24-105 F4 LIS, 70-300 LIS, 180 L macro, 200 F2.8 L, 400 F2.8 LIS mkII.

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Canon 200mm F2.8 L Lens

                Yes you may find AF on most true macro lenses is a tad too slow.

                Colin
                I was being a little sarcastic about the f2. No way can I afford that! Might look at the 70-200 f2.8 IS MkII though.... Sell the MkI and 300f4 and I recon I wouldn't be far away money wise. I never use the 300 these days.
                5DIII, 5DII with Grips| 24-70 f2.8L MkII | 24-105 f4L IS | 70-200 f2.8L IS MkII | 50 f/1.4 | 85 f1.8 | 100 f2.8 | 1.4x MkII | Tamron 17-35 f2.8-4 | 580EX II | 600EX RT | Stofen Diffuser | Manfroto 190 CF Tripod w/490RC2 | Epson R3000 | Lexmark CS 510 DE | Nova 5 AW | Mini Trekker AW | Lowepro x300AW | Lastolite Gear (inc HiLite 6x7) | Elinchrom Studio Gear & Quadras

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Canon 200mm F2.8 L Lens

                  Jim

                  I have never actually tried the 70 - 200mm IS MKII yet, probably because I can't fault the MKI that I have. With almost prime performance from a zoom, how do you improve on that?

                  If Canon introduced a 200 - 400mm f4 IS to match the one from "The Dark Side", then I would be interested.

                  Colin
                  Colin

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Canon 200mm F2.8 L Lens

                    THe current MkI is indeed already a superb lens - so maybe I'm just being daft :) Wished the MkII was a little lighter though! I think it works well with a 1.4x too and that's why my 300f4 is rarely used.
                    5DIII, 5DII with Grips| 24-70 f2.8L MkII | 24-105 f4L IS | 70-200 f2.8L IS MkII | 50 f/1.4 | 85 f1.8 | 100 f2.8 | 1.4x MkII | Tamron 17-35 f2.8-4 | 580EX II | 600EX RT | Stofen Diffuser | Manfroto 190 CF Tripod w/490RC2 | Epson R3000 | Lexmark CS 510 DE | Nova 5 AW | Mini Trekker AW | Lowepro x300AW | Lastolite Gear (inc HiLite 6x7) | Elinchrom Studio Gear & Quadras

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Canon 200mm F2.8 L Lens

                      Simple question: We all know the rule about the speed and focal length - ie 1/200 for a 200mm lens.

                      Does that mean for a 1.6 it means 1/320 for a 200mm?
                      ef-r

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Canon 200mm F2.8 L Lens

                        He, he. I don't think Canon ever use "L" Series and light in the same sentence!

                        Colin
                        Colin

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Canon 200mm F2.8 L Lens

                          Originally posted by briansquibb View Post
                          Simple question: We all know the rule about the speed and focal length - ie 1/200 for a 200mm lens.

                          Does that mean for a 1.6 it means 1/320 for a 200mm?
                          Logical thinking Brian, but no.

                          The lens is still a 200mm, but your sensor is smaller than full frame, giving the effect of a 320mm.

                          Colin
                          Colin

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Canon 200mm F2.8 L Lens

                            Originally posted by Les McLean View Post
                            Maker/Provider: Canon
                            Weaknesses:
                            No IS, not weather sealed.
                            I thought it was weather sealed.

                            It's the one lens I regret selling when I got the zoom. Often thought of buying another second hand to replace it.
                            Dave

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Canon 200mm F2.8 L Lens

                              I'll second the positive reviews above. Great bit of kit - really sharp. Also unobtrusive, even with a 1.4x on to make it a 280 f/4. The alternative to this is the 300 f/4L. More expensive, large and bright white, but it does have a 2 stop IS.

                              Like the build quality too, nice and solid. The only downside is the weight. But the only other 200m prime I've ever used was the Olympus OM system Zuiko 200 f/5, which was much smaller & lighter....

                              Comment

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