| |  | Brand: Canon
Category: Photography
List Price: $1,100.00
Buy New: $618.99
You Save: $481.01 (44%)
New (12) Used (3) from $618.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  16 reviews
Media: Electronics
Minimum Focal Length: 200
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.4
Dimensions (in): 8.1 x 5.5 x 5.3
MPN: 2529A004
Model: CANON EF 200MM F2.8L II USM
UPC: 082966213311
EAN: 0082966213311
ASIN: B000053HBB
Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Excellent for what it is, but look elsewhere for versatility January 30, 2008
20 out of 22 found this review helpful
The grand appeal of this prime is that offers the telephoto reach and fast f/2.8 aperture of Canon's 70-200/2.8 professional lenses, but at far less cost and size. In practical terms, the 200/2.8 is fast enough to shoot nighttime football games that would have slower f/5.6 consumer zooms struggling to reign in motion blur.
Unlike consumer zooms, it also takes well to a 1.4X teleconverter, giving the equivalent of 280mm at f/4. The USM autofocus system is quick, silent, and sure in almost any lighting, and because it's essentially a longer version of Canon's legendary 135/2, this 200/2.8 is plenty sharp all the way from f/2.8. Finally, because it's small and black, the security at sporting venues is far more likely to let you take it inside.
It's not all roses though. 200mm on a 1.6X crop body is a 320mm equivalent. That's a lot of lens to handhold without stabilization. Pure sharpness doesn't stand for much when the whole frame is blurred by handshake. Despite the fast f/2.8 aperture, it takes a lot of light to keep the shutter speeds up, and this lens isn't all that forgiving below 1/400; good technique and proper bracing are essential. My copy suffers further from chromatic aberration (color fringing around highlights) and loss of contrast in sunlight to a greater extent than any other lens that I own. Shooting into the sun, or with the sun just outside the frame, is not a forte. I'd dock a star for this if Amazon would let me.
If you want versatility, there are also better choices than the 200/2.8. Framing options are limited, and you'll rarely find the composition afforded by 200mm exactly matches what you intended. While the 70-200/2.8 series are no stronger optically than this lens, they'll get the shot every time purely by the ability to track an object at 70mm, and rapidly zoom to 200mm to take the picture. The addition of IS (image stabilization) alone doubles the number of keepers on the 70-200/2.8 IS. If your livelihood depends on your results, that's worth the price of admission.
But if you're not molting fifties, and you just want a sharp and fast telephoto that'll manage better shutter speeds, sharpness, background blur, and contrast (in most circumstances) than a consumer zoom, this 200/2.8L is a great choice.
Incredible September 29, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have been totally amazed at the quality of the pictures I have taken with this lens and my Canon XT/350D during the last two weeks that I have owned this lens. Lightning fast autofocus. Bright, crystal clear images with incredible detail, beautiful colors and silky smooth out of focus backgrounds,(bokeh). Works great in low light even with my Kenko 1.4X teleconverter. Heavier than expected, but not a problem. I am able to take hand-held pictures without a tripod as I can easily use a fast shutter speed. One good surprise for me was that I was afraid that giving up 100mm over my Tamron 70-300mm fully zoomed out would limit my ability to take pictures of birds - but not so. There is very little difference between the 200mm Canon and the 300mm of the Tamron. No more non "L" lenses for me!
Astrophotography August 6, 2007
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I bought this lens specifically for astrophotography to replace the 50mm, f/1.8 lens that shipped with my Rebel XT (EOS 350D) camera. The 50mm lens had to be stopped to f/2.8 to get decent star images, and then the edges were badly distorted (coma). The 200 mm lens is sharp to the edges at f/2.8. It easily captures stars to 14th magnitude at my sea level location with 30 second exposures. I have little experience with camera lens prices, and was surprised at the cost (a fairly good, small telescope can be had for that price), but I didn't have room for even a small telescope, and am very satisfied with this lens.
 Type II July 25, 2007
7 out of 14 found this review helpful
This lens was purchased for use with the XTI. For me this replaced a 300mm F2.8 FD on an F1. The detachable lens shade is frail and bulky and therefore of little use to me (the discontinued Type I apparently had a built in hood). The tripod ring should be kitted with the lens, not sold as an accessory. Images with 1.4 & 2X extenders appear softer than they should be at maximum aperture. I think my results with the 300 plus extenders (and film) more consistant. Having said that, advanges include ability to use conventional filters (77mm polarizer) and great savings in weight, bulk, and cost for essentially the same field of view.
Love this lens! June 16, 2007
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
This prime lens is absolutely fantastic. It's fast to focus and quite versatile. The bokeh is stunning.
I tried it with an extension tube this morning and it was even more spectacular. The minimum focusing distance was much shorter with no degradation of image quality.
You won't go wrong if you choose this lens.
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