Used Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM Image Stabilizer AutoFocus Telephoto Lens.

2019-06-16T11:30:21

I have been an amateur astrophotographer for 50 years. I have tested dozens of camera lenses and used many telescopes for astro imaging including exotic corrected hyperbolic astrographs. No photographic endeavor is as tough on an optical system as astrophotography, every aberration is immediately evident and easily quantifiable. All the MTF curves and target shooting in the world will not tell you if a lens is really good for astrophotography. I tested this lens with my Canon 5DII and my SBIG STL 1100 monochrome astrocamera. This is the best astrophotography lens I have ever seen, and wide open at F 2. Clearly better than the Canon 300 mm F/4 at every aperture. Think about that--much better at F/2 than the Canon 300 mm F/4 L at F/4 or F5.6! There is virtually no benefit in sharpness with stopping down--although going to F 2.8 does even out the illumination on a full frame camera (not an issue if you use flats in processing). There is no coma, and almost no astigmatism visible in the corners at F2, with only very slight chromatic aberration. I get almost 60 lp/mm in the center and in 3/4 corners on a 5DII, one corner is slightly softer (54 lp/mm) than the other 3 and the center, but I have never seen a lens that performs completely equally in all 4 corners, doesn't exist in reality. And all this at F/2!!. Most nominally F/2 lenses struggle to do this at F/4. When used with a full frame true monochrome astrocamera with 9 micron pixels and no blurring filter or Bayer filter array (STL 1100) and a narrow band Ha filter (12 nm bandwith, rated to F/2), many of the fainter stars approach single pixels across the entire field, the ultimate expression of resolution. This filter eliminates the residual chromatic aberration entirely, the resolution becomes essentially perfect, cannot be any better. You might want to use an astro camera with smaller pixels to improve the resolution. I don't have another astro camera. This lens would benefit from a 4-5 micron pixel camera. Maybe I need to buy one! With LRGB imaging, you can see that there is a slight focus difference between GB and R, which is small enough to ignore, of if you demand perfection, you simply refocus for the R images. As expected, it is sharper with the (focused as needed) individual RGB filters than with the L filter, this is going to be true of any lens.The effect is very small, however. Still, it might be interesting to compare LRGB to simple RGB images. Photographing the stars requires either a lot of time or a really fast lens. This is as fast as it gets in this focal length and you will not be disappointed.

Richard K.

2019-03-04T19:00:00

I am very happy I bought this lens. I have been eyeing it for quite a while and was finally able to pull the trigger and get it! So far the pictures I have taken with the Mark IV have been amazing.

brobaey

Originally posted at

2019-02-05T13:35:56

I know it's expensive, but no way would I ever ever ever give this lens up! The photos are unmatched by anything else out there. The 85mm 1.2L is somewhat close, but nothing compares to this lens, JUST LOVE IT!!!

AL M.

2019-01-05T17:26:00

Needed more speed for indoor sports shooting. The F 2.0 gives me what my clients want!

Kyle D.

2018-03-12T22:46:12

I am semi-pro portrait/ landscape photographer and I strongly echo what everyone else says...this lens produces amazing images! mean amazing! the bokeh is out of this world and the colors creamy. BUT it is heavy! would recomend monopod when possible but if serious about outside portraiture... you cannot go wrong

GEROLD S.

2018-03-10T19:00:00

I have been shooting this lens for solid year. Wicked sharp!! Superbly fast!! Indoor sorts, outdoor portraits, this is my go to lens, hands down.

Vanilla G.

Originally posted at

2018-01-17T07:57:45

This lens is everything I hoped and imagined it would be and more. The sharpness is by far the best for any other Canon lens I own. It is quite a heavy lens, but I am willing to deal with the weight of it because of the quality of images it produces. If you can afford this - get it. It is well worth it.

ELIZABETH H.

2017-12-15T20:02:04

I don't know if you can say this about a lens but.... I am in love with my lens!!! the images are sooo incredibly amazing, the colors are beautiful and the bokeh, makes your images look like they were taken in heaven, no kidding!!!

LoStBoY

2017-07-23T19:44:33

I've been a photographer since the 1970s and during that time I've owned and used many bands of lenses from Canon to Zeiss to Leica. This is one of the most beautiful of them all. It's incredibly sharp, colors are amazing and focusing is really quick. Bokeh is just lovely and really sets this lens apart from almost all others. It's big and heavy and you'll get stares using it. But if you're concerned with image quality, it's well worth the few minor negatives.

bruce b.

2017-03-28T11:39:28

Great experience!

ELIZABETH S.

2016-03-30T20:00:00

I've used this lens to shoot ice hockey at all levels including prep, college, USA Hockey, OHL, and NHL for many years. Despite its weight, the results are simply addicting. Prior to purchasing this bad boy, I was shooting hockey with the 70-200mm f2.8 and thought I was getting good results. Boy, was I in for a surprise! After renting the 200mm f2.0, I was immediately stunned to see just how sharp and bright my images could be. Problem was that I (and my customers, editors, etc. became addicted to this sharpness and eventually compelled me to buy it. Now, along with my 1DX, I've shot this lens from hundreds of penalty boxes and stadium perches and, if I'm limited for space (so I cannot bring my 300mm f2.8 II), from concourse level with a 1.4X extender. I highly recommend this lens and cannot imagine shooting hockey without it.

jaiprophoto

Originally posted at

2015-06-01T21:00:00

Best of best lens!!!!!!

pilhwan O.

2014-02-11T19:00:00

Great lens. Superb quality. Lightening fast, focusing. Precise pinpoint accuracy, probably too much. Pricey-yes. Worth it- yes.

ASHLEY P.

2014-01-20T19:00:00

This lens is fantastic, and will help a skilled portrait photographer produce excellent images. Compared to my other L series portrait lenses (which are also amazing) this lens is superior in many ways. For instance, it seems even sharper and quicker to focus than my 135mm f/2 L. Previously, I had thought that the 135L represented the "ceiling" or the absolute best performance/image quality that can be had. I was actually wrong— the 200mm f/2 is actually better, if you can imagine that. Most people focus in on the "cons" when discussing this lens. You probably already know, but It is heavy and expensive. For me, the extra weight isn't really noticeable when comparing my gripped 5DIII, flash, and a 70-200 2.8 IS VS the same setup with the 200mm f/2. If the weight is a big deal, I recommend a regular physical training routine: 25LB weights, pushups and pull-ups— keep your arms and shoulders strong and you won't notice the difference in weight. Next up is size of the lens: it is big, and people will comment on how big the lens is, so hopefully you are a pro and not some guy that hangs out on the beach or a playground with this lens. For me, the size isn't an issue— it's actually a good thing when people notice... they'll assume you are a top gun to have such a nice lens. Ok, the final "con" for this lens is the cost. It's expensive. If you are a pro photographer, you know that it doesn't really matter how much this stuff costs, it's really all about creating images that are better than what you can create at f/2.8. So, for me, cost is almost a non issue, as long as it helps me create better images. Rationalization on the cost factor: it's a business write-off. :) Final thoughts: This lens isn't going to make the shot for you. But if you are good already then perhaps this will give you the competitive edge that other's do not have. Just like a pair of Air Jordan sneakers isn't going to make you into a pro basketball player. If you think that your work will be amazing with a wider aperture option at 200mm, and you can afford it, and you're arms are strong enough... then I'm not going to tell you to get it or not to get it— you just have to think about it and decide for yourself. Maybe you should go to Peru for 3 months instead. Perhaps that money is better spent in your kid's college fund. A safer bet might be to just invest that extra cash in mutual funds. But, remember, f/2 is like twice as "fast" as f/2.8 :)

Wil P.

2013-05-20T20:00:00

One of the greatest lens I've ever used. I had the f/1,8 FD version, which was already stunning, but this new model is even better, especially wide open. And the stabilizer is a great addition. To improve this lens, I can only think about a shorter minimum focusing distance. Other than that, this lens is just perfect from every point of view, regardless of the diaphragm, the lighting or the distance of focus. Bokeh is very beautiful.

Lurcus

Originally posted at

2012-02-28T19:00:00

Used this lens over the past 4 months and it never ceases to amaze me. Whether I am shooting a low-light dance/music recital or a portrait of a newborn & mother, this lens beautifully portrays the intimacy of the moment I am trying to capture. Simply, this lens makes me look brilliant (which I am not).

JohnT

Originally posted at

2012-01-15T19:00:00

this glass can be hand held and it is just fun to use in so many settings. you can also add 1,4x and 2.0x and get lots of range and still can hand hold....a really big plus when you are on the move...highly recommend. if you are ever in the neighborhood come by and check it out!

DAVID C.

2010-09-20T21:00:00

I have 600mmF/4 and 400mmDO and 85mmF/1.2 50mmF1.2 And much more.... By far,this lens is best lens that I have. Very sharp and clear iamges you can get by using this lens.

kazuya k.

2010-06-23T20:00:00

I own the 70-200mm MkII so buying this seemed like overkill but it is worth it if you can afford it. Fantastic images with gorgeous bokeh. Heavy but you can handhold it for quick shoots. Monopod is your best friend. Focusing is super fast. Surprisingly little 'hunting' for focus. Low light focusing good so far. I use this for nature and outdoor and indoor sports. For indoor sports or anything where you have motion and low light, this is your lens. I can dial in nice fast exposure times and even stop it down a bit to increase DOF when desired. This is what the lens was made for, and it excels here. Superb. Superlatives are overused, but for image quality and fast optics, this lens is indeed superb. The IS on this is lens is the best of all I've used, and I've owned many. It comes as close to freezing' the lens in place as one could imagine. Lend hood is a bit akward, the silver knob assembly that attaches the lens doesn't have the sturdy 'feel' as other lenses, and the knob is big enough to get you wondering that this could have been designed some other way that was without knob. A lens cap to fit over the lens hood or front element would be nice for a lens this price. The lens has to have the lend hood reversed to fit into the case, so while out of case, even with hood on, there's nothing to protect the lens. Carrying case is wonderful and sturdy, not sure how sturdy the lock is. Tripod attachment will leave some shaking their heads. Can be removed but you have to remove four allen screws. I can imagine some ending up holding the lens by the attachment. The lens can rotate within the tripod ring with 90 degree detents. Great feature for quickly switching from portrait and landscape and back. The price of the lens will be the deciding factor. You get what you pay for with this lens.

Mike

Originally posted at

2010-03-21T20:00:00

I own a dozen L lenses and this one is my favorite because of its amazing versitility. I use it for portrait and nature work as well as both indoor and outdoor sports photography. Sure, it is heavier than a typical hand-held lense like the 70-200mm L IS USM, but I find that I actually use this lens for walking about anyway because of its ultra-sharpness and amazing fast speeds. I also own the 300 2.8 L, but because of the weight differential, that lens often gets left behind now that I have this one. Paired with my 1D Mark IV, this thing is ridiculous.

David H.

Originally posted at

2009-10-09T20:00:00

Aquired this lens earlier this week WOW.! The auto focus speed is simply amazing, with both the 5D MKII and the new 7D. The optics are the best to date of anything that I've used - I believe it's better than the current Canon 300 F/2.8 and the 500 F/4. The weight isnt bad, hand-holdable for me, and the 'little white whale' works well with both the 1.4 and the 2.0 extenders. Would highly recommend this for sports, as a second lens - in addtion to carrying a 400 or a 500. I gave this a go an engagement (wedding) shoot. A little large, but for interior shots, in low light, this really worked well. It utilzes the same drop in filters as the other telephotos, and I believe it may take the place of my 300, for a number of projects. My hats off to the folks at Canon.......again!

Shooting S.

Originally posted at

2009-02-17T19:00:00

color , sharpness , focus speed , resolution are top class . i could not find a flaw in this lens . very hand holdable and I.S. is what makes this lens unique . i have tested shooting shooting handheld at 1/5" with good result . from portrait in ambient low light to early morning first light photography this lens has proven it's capability in delivering what i expected .

lensman

Originally posted at

2008-11-17T19:00:00

great and sharp image

Sergio