Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM Lens
New condition. Perfect function, perfect glass
Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM Lens.
Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM Lens: A Brief Overview
The Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM Lens is a remarkable piece of glass that caters to professional photographers seeking exceptional image quality, especially in challenging conditions. Here's what you need to know:
Optical Performance:
- This lens is renowned for its sharpness, particularly wide open at f/2. It's one of the sharpest Canon lenses above 100mm at this aperture.
- The large f/2.0 aperture allows for action-stopping shutter speeds even in low-light situations, making it ideal for indoor sports photography and portraiture.
- The lens consists of 17 elements arranged in 12 groups, including one fluorite element and two UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) elements. These elements work together to minimize chromatic aberration and enhance contrast.
Image Stabilization:
- The built-in Optical Image Stabilizer (IS) provides up to four stops of stabilization correction. This feature is incredibly useful when shooting handheld or in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.
Physical Characteristics:
- The lens is part of Canon's prestigious L-series, known for its high-quality optics and robust build.
- It's a medium telephoto lens, which means it strikes a balance between reach and portability.
- The lens features an 8-blade circular aperture, contributing to beautiful bokeh (the quality of background blur).
- Autofocus is driven by Canon's Ring USM (Ultrasonic Motor), ensuring fast and accurate focusing.
- The lens doesn't extend during focusing, maintaining a fixed size.
Flare and Ghosting Control:
- Canon has designed this lens to minimize flare and ghosting, common issues in digital camera photography. You'll notice excellent color balance and reduced artifacts.
Vignetting and Aperture:
- At f/2, there's some vignetting visible in full-frame body corners, especially with evenly-colored subjects (like a blue sky). However, it's essentially gone by f/2.8.
- The lens accepts rear-mounted drop-in filters but doesn't accommodate front-mount filters.
Overall Impressions:
- If you can handle the price and weight (it's a substantial lens), the Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM will impress you with its optical prowess.
- It's a worthy successor to the legendary Canon EF 200mm f/1.8 L USM Lens, delivering outstanding image quality.
Remember, this lens is a specialized tool for specific purposes. If you're a sports photographer shooting fast-moving athletes indoors or a portrait artist aiming for creamy backgrounds, the Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM Lens could be your secret weapon!
New or Used:
Used