Canon Telephoto EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens

Given its performance/quality/price characteristics, Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM lens can be considered a decent value among fixed focal telephoto lenses. The lens does not seem to have any major weaknesses and while it does not show the highest overall performance (in MTF50 terms) is certainly no...

For its test results alone, the performance and modest price tag of the Canon 200mm Æ’/2.8L II USM make it an excellent addition to any Canon shooter's collection. However, if you want or need image stabilization, it's available only in longer or faster telephoto primes, or the 70-200mm zoom lens,...

The Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM Lens is a fast, high quality 200mm telephoto lens available for a very nice price . If you have used the renowned Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM Lens , you have a good idea of what the Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM Lens feels like.

Let’s start with the negatives. The tested lens, although it is an expensive fixed-focal L series device, proved to be no optically better than the zoom 70-200 mm f/2.8L IS USM II. Quite the opposite in fact – in such an important category as the resolution it fared worse.

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  high build quality,, excellent image quality in the frame centre,, good image quality on the edge of the frame,, practically zero lateral chromatic aberration,, imperceptible distortion,, excellently corrected coma,, not very bothersome astigmatism,, low vignetting,, fast, accurate and silent...

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  resolution on the edge of full frame at the maximum relative aperture a bit below the decency level,, work against bright light could have been better,, in the case of a lens of this quality and from such a price segment it would be good to get a tripod adapter as a part of the standard accessory...

The EF 200mm f/2.8 L USM II is capable of delivering a near-flawless performance in most aspects. It provides a very high resolution combined with an excellent contrast straight from f/2.8. The lateral CAs are very low which contributes to the high sharpness perception.

The EF 200mm f/2.8 L USM II is very good within its native full format scope and when used on an APS-C DSLR things get even better. It provides a very high resolution combined with an excellent contrast straight from f/2.8.

I bought this lens for astrophotography with my Canon 5D mk iii and an Astrotrac mount. I was not disappointed. For astro, this is a huge improvement over the 70-300mm f4-5.6 USM that I was using before.

With my 70-200 I found I spent 99% of the time shooting at 200mm. So I often opt for this little gem instead. It is smaller, lighter and easier to handhold for extended periods compared to the big 70-200. Yes, you give up some flexibility and features with the prime (zoom, IS, weather sealing).

I shoot with a 6D, own several L lenses, including the very sharp 24-70 f2.8 Mkii, 70-200 f4 IS and the 135 f2. The 200mm is quite sharp at 2.8, I'd not hesitate to use it here, better at 3.5 and top notch through to f8.

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  Very sharp, very quick autofocus, smallish, lightish, great out-of-focus blur

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  A little long for really good handholdability

I have used this lens extensively for candid downtown shots and I'm amazed at the quality of the images. Itæ's black and rather average-looking, so nobody cares where I pioint it. Have taken pictures at 50+ metres that I've kept! Took some of my nephew from 40 metres out.

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  Sharp, solid, cheap (It's a great L-lens) and black

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  Nope, not really

Lack of versatility, difficult to frame the subject especially in watching sports. What's the use of good optic if you're nail down in 200mm. I would spend money for either Sigma 70-200mm or Canon 70-200mm for better framing subjects. Zoom lens nowadays has better improvement.

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  Good for steady shot.

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  No zooming, too expensive with less use. Not usable everyday lens.

Fast lens and very sharp. This is a gem in the Canon line at the prices it can be had for. This lens works great for shooting baseball and football games for children. Line up on first base and you can capture great images of runners coming to first and second base stealing/sliding action.

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  Fast, inexpensive, sharp.

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  None I can find!

After reading positive reviews, I pulled the trigger on this purchase. I found it to have quick response in focusing on NFL action. Before attending a Colts preseason game with my wife and nephew, I checked on their photography policy online.

I purchased this to use for astrophotography and usually have it attached to my 7D MkII. Many of my lenses I can not use wide open due to coma. This one I can use at F2.8 . I'm very happy with it.

My main reason for choosing this lens was to have a Prime lens with the speed and reach to shoot Baseball games at twilight before the lights came on and sun went down. It has performed perfectly not only for that purpose but also for general shooting as well.