i've lengthy puzzled what pleasures the Canon 200mm f/2 L lens held. At 200mm and about $7,000 there’s gotta be a absolutely excellent purpose for such a lot of photographers round the world to covet, and use it. We’ve likely all shot a telephoto lens able to achieving 200mm. some at the much less costly EF-S zooms, or perhaps certainly one of Canon’s legendary 70-200 lens lineup or the Canon two hundred f/2.eight L top. the nearest of the commonplace zooms in focal duration and aperture is the Canon 70-200 f/2.eight L IS II. It’s a lovely lens that I own, and now not precisely less expensive at ~$2,800, it’s also very versatile and one lens in my package I’m hesitant to part with for any occasion or portrait task.
Hesitant does not suggest never although and, as I ventured out with the Canon 200mm f/2 L IS for the primary time, I soon observed that I could live with out the protection of the zoom, and embrace this great prime lens.
SizeIt’s a huge lens, large than heavier than some thing else i have in my kit, however not altogether unwieldy. As you can see, it’s only barely large than the Canon 70-200f/2.eight L IS II, but the front lens element gives the two hundred f/2 such girth that before everything it’s intimidating. Used for short periods of time, it's far actually hand-holdable with remarkable (though slightly noisy) picture Stabilization. One component i'm able to propose, but, is you stability it with a properly weighted digicam. I shot this with both my 5DMKII with out a grip, and my 7D with a grip. The delivered weight and ergonomics the 7D with grip delivered were a welcome counter-balance to the 2 hundred’s mass. manifestly, many customers will personal a 1D series seasoned body if you want to similarly upload stability to the lens (and weight to the whole bundle). whilst the lens will suit in maximum backpacks, it simply takes greater than it’s honest-share of the space in particular when you have the lens hood reversed and the cover on. for my part I couldn’t justify bringing the leather-based cover along on task, however that still intended leaving the very huge front lens detail exposed in my bag.
FeaturesImage stabilization is crucial to me on a telephoto lens. a few human beings can hand-preserve a telephoto at ¼ of a second, but i am now not such a human beings. because of that, the technical innovation this is brings could be very an awful lot welcome to me in low-light situations or even my flash pictures paintings where the sync pace of the digital camera keeps my shutter beneath 1/two hundredth of a 2nd. Stabilization has modes; the primary for shakey-fingers like me, and the second for panning sports, motors, infants – something you’ve were given.
some other features the lens sports activities were new to me as a terrific-telephoto NOOB. There’s a focus preset button so you can set a particular focusing distance and return to it at any time by using rotating a nicely hidden “Playback Ring” (a grooved metallic ring among the focus ring and the the front rubber grip). at the facet you’ll additionally find a widespread AF/MF transfer and a focal point limiter starting from 1.9m (the minimal focusing distance) or 3.5m to infinity. subsequently, the the front rubber grip has four similarly located buttons which are AF stop buttons which temporarily pause autofocus, which isn’t an issue for me because I’ve re-mapped my AF to the back button on my digicam.
some other element to take into account is that they don’t make screw-on filters for this range of telephoto. not unusual with the longer primes, human beings “developing” the focal variety can be unusual with the 52mm drop-in filters it makes use of, it’s not a huge deal, however that’s how it works. finally the lens is absolutely weather sealed, which I ought to say is a have to-have on any L-collection lens (specially due to the fact that my first two jobs after receiving the lens involved a community water combat and a sundown shoot via the river in a hurricane), but Canon doesn’t seem to usually accept as true with that so it’s really worth bringing up here that it's far.
AccessoriesA massive lens hood is blanketed, in addition to a leather cap for protection at some stage in shipping, it’s honestly just a pouch. I’m a sturdy proponent of lens hoods, as they lessen lens flare while protecting the the front lens detail. This hood increases the period of the lens via nearly 5″ and that i regularly see photojournalists capturing with out it on. because the the front lens element is about lower back barely you still have a bit of safety without the hood attached. there is also a non-removable tripod collar which is a welcome boost, the foot itself is removable so that you can add the broadly used tongue-and-groove style mount. I did discover the foot were given in a manner a few instances at the same time as hand-holding the digital camera, however it turned into easy sufficient to swing up to the top of the lens so I may want to greater without difficulty balance it and use the focus ring concurrently.
PerformanceThis lens is sharp, there are masses of blogs and opinions that get into sharpness fall-off records but for me it’s a be counted of the way it appears inside the final image. if you’re getting this lens you’re sincerely trying to use it from f/2 to f/2.8… in any other case you’d get one of the different mentioned above. taking pictures this lens extensive-open is a treat, every photograph comes out with an exceedingly clean creamy bokeh with masses of area to create a blurred out foreground and heritage – among 6.3 feet to 70′ – the pointy, in recognition subjects simply POP off the screen.
I wouldn’t bear in mind this a wild-life lens, now not many could, however 200mm simply isn’t sufficient length to get you close up enough to flora and fauna until they’re particularly friendly. It’s maximum magnification also doesn’t make it properly desirable for actually tighly cropped images – however the minimum to most focusing distance does make it best for splendidly blurred out full body shots of your situation.
ConclusionSo that’s how it handles and feels, and as you could see, it’s quite brilliant. There’s no question, though, that this is a luxury lens. At $6,000 this buy might break the bank for lots of us. That stated, due to the fact I’ve been capturing with it, every one in every of my photographs that I’ve proven has been of extremely good first-class. humans are taking an hobby inside the photos – there’s a notable “experience” to them, the sharpness of awareness, the terrific bokeh, even the vignetting at f/2 provides to the look of the image. There’s also something inherently creative in a prime lens, the fact that you need to zoom along with your feet, forcing you to find specific angles for the shot. owning this lens could completely make you stand apart from your friends on look by myself, but it comes with any such hefty value i'm able to’t see many humans shopping for it (though in case you did, you’d glaringly be in the elite) over the extra flexible zooms (I’ve never used the Canon 200mm f/2.eight L top, so i'm able to’t touch upon that). you realize you’re onto something while my spouse comments at the photograph and asks “How a good deal does that lens value?” as if, for the primary time, she’s about to okay a equipment purchase. condominium is a incredible idea, of path, however it’s uses also are so various that it could doubtlessly be your pass-to telephoto lens for years; I understand that when using it for 2 weeks directly I’m loathe to permit it pass, and might be missing that amazing ethereal look it is able to produce in my pics.
purchase alternatives:
Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS: B&H picture | Adorama | Amazon
execs:
Sharp huge-open
stunning bokeh
image Stabilization = Hand-holdable
Bragging rights
Cons:
may be highly-priced for some
Weight
need for new/specific filters
area it takes up
CR’s TakeWithout a doubt, one among my top three favored lenses inside the Canon lineup. it could be a chunk cumbersome to use, but the outcomes make it worth it on the quit of the day. As Justin has stated, there's a completely small market for this lens because of the price. This is probably one of the great lenses to rent, I don’t assume I’ve ever heard everyone not say they had been sad once they had to go back it. It’s a splendid lens for taking photographs of kids, it’s a excellent focal length because you’re some distance sufficient away to not interrupt their playing. It’s also a excellent area recreation lens in case you’re right on the sideline. I’ve seen this lens used for portrait sessions, rodeos, weddings and even on safari. The lens also works terrific with the 1.4X & 2X teleconverters, four hundred f/4L IS every body?.
i'd simplest use this lens on a complete frame digital camera body, as I suppose “the look” the lens gives diminishes on an APS-C frame. i've had extraordinary results on an APS-H camera like the 1D Mark IV, however I assume it’s tons higher desirable to complete frame. in case you’re a smaller man or woman, you may want to have at least a gripped camera at hand hold this lens. it's going to provide lots higher balance.
I additionally suggest converting the Canon lens foot off for a truly right Stuff Arca fashion substitute foot. we've executed this with our EF 200 f/2L IS inventory. It slims down the lens and could ensure it fits on most any ballhead or gimbal fashion head.
The terrible?I’m reaching to discover a few negatives, but here is going. I dislike the hood, I think it makes the lens a ways too huge and that i normally shoot with out it. The lens is virtually now not all that lengthy without the hood on. although, that may be a big the front element. The lenses we've got had to go to Canon for the recall to repair the IS unit. It had an trouble with the 5D Mark III. The turnaround become quite quick, but that became an annoyance however. if you purchase one used, make sure to discover if the carrier has been finished.
well, I’m off to drag one from inventory and do a little capturing with it. Even considering the EF two hundred f/2L IS makes me happy.
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