Having recently graduated into the digital SLR era, I got myself a Canon 40D to test the waters. I had a super-tele, a 300 f/2.8 Tamron that I found good but rather slow to focus on fast objects. An attempt to photograph mountain bikes was futile, few pictures in the 60 were in focus, and those poorly framed as I had to work hard just to get focus. Some months later, I took the camera to an open house at someones business and there was one of these lens there. I had known about it but always dismissed what people said as hype. After asking to use it for a bit, I went and opened the case. Picking up the lens actually took work. More than 3.5 Kg (7 lbs) in a fairly compact lens meant it had little space inside or plastics. Metal and glass. I scoffed at the 24-105 L by Canon due to its plasticy feel. This lens FELT like the quality lens I used with my Contax. Massive lens hood also. This example had seen a lot of use: heavily scratched, scuffed but had clean optics. I focused on near and far objects. Quick from near to to 150 feet across his warehouse. I took a few head shots of the owner, a few other items and put the lens back so I could review the results. On the 40D LCD, it was a bit hard to see detail, but I could see eyelashes in an image takes at ISO 250, 1/15th of a second and f/1.8. I transferred the images onto my computer for a better look. Some were blurred but at 1/15 hand-held, not a surprise. The two that were sharp could show sweat pores on his nose and the tiny little hairs too. From 50 feet. I could why so many runway photographers had this lens. I held off getting one for four months. I held out for one in pristine shape, as I didn't want to buy a beater released from a news service or National Geographic. My patience was well rewarded. I did get an extended warranty with it though. So far the lens is remarkably without surprises. Always finds focus although the lenses setting for range limitations were annoying. You do have to select the correct AF mode for the camera too. Even just a 40D can deliver sharp and intimate images. Going to a 7D this week shows there is still more detail available from this lens. One drawback is the weight. Use a monopod or tripod for best results and less fatigue. I few days into using it, I shot rock-climbers on a small granite bluff in Squamish, BC. Most shots were hand-held due to angle of view. Most shot were good, about 6 or the 80 were great with 3 standouts. A tripod would have helped but made me slower to follow. It is a bit wasted on a 1.6X sensor camera, but my guess is a FF sensor would need some 46 MILLION pixels for best use. That's at least 4 years off before I can afford one so....Read full review
This lens is everything I expected it to be when I bought it on eBay. When they tell you that it is the fastest 200 mm on earth, believe it. The focus is instantaneous at fully open (why would anyone use this lens otherwise if he can?) gives a sharp picture and everything else a blur like no other lens I ever used. When I bought it the hood was loose. I had a hard time finding a store that had 2 perfect replacement screws (Canon non longer services this lens). I never own a lens that so impressed me as this one even though it has no IS. It doesn't need it since it is always used fully open thus at maximum shutter speed and mostly on a monopod. I am 76 years old and I have a very hard time handling this lens with a monopod attached to it. It is with great regret that I have put it back on eBay. I wish I could use it but I can't.Read full review
bought it second hand from ebay about 4000 dollars. built like tank, take excellent picture because lens has so many glass in it. way better than 135mm f2 L USM, but much heavier than 300mm but lighter than 400mm f2.8 IS USM L. takes cryspy sharp picture even you don't need to post process through Photoshop CS2, quality piture taken from 300mm f2.8l IS USM is way below the 200mm f1.8 one. Lens suits for low light condition, 3 or 4 times faster than aperture f2.8, slower than canon 85mm f1.2. I will be baby sitting this toy for rest of my life for sure. canon factory will release new model canon 200mm f2L IS USM, that price for 300mm and 200mm will drop some day soon. so check it out: http://www.usa.canon.com/templatedata/pressrelease/20071015_eflens.html
This lens, in my opinion, is one of Canon's best lens. The resolution, contrast, saturation, and sharpness is superb. The bokeh (blurry background)is smooth and pleasant. I still can't figure out why Canon discontinued the lens, but you can still find them out there on the used market. A couple of drawbacks - it's pricey and quite heavy (around 7 lbs) for extended hand holding, but that's the price you pay for quality glass.
Yes it is expensive, yes it is heavy, yes Canon don`t produce and service it any more. But sharpness it produce wide open, contrast and saturation it makes, that sweet bokeh - none of canon lenses stand by. Sold my 85mm L to get this light pump prime and never regretted it - only 8000 copy's made by Canon. If you can get hands on one of it in good shape, do it.
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