Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM

[Daniel Flather]

A portfolio shot for an actress friend

Nice lens, you obviously have one now.  That's a fun unboxing.

Possibly the best lens I have used, on the 1Ds3 makes a superb portrait lens, on the 7D a good medium telephoto

Trying to make up my mind on a 300 f/2.8 II at the moment - perhaps when my next pension cheque comes through

The 200/2 with the new 1.4TC should make a nice 280/2.8.  Now the 400/2.8 is another lens I'd like to try, but its price makes the 200/2 seem affordable.  I just paid my income tax bill, so funds for photo gear is zero atm.

[briansquibb]

The 200/2 with the new 1.4TC should make a nice 280/2.8.  Now the 400/2.8 is another lens I'd like to try, but its price makes the 200/2 seem affordable.  I just paid my income tax bill, so funds for photo gear is zero atm.

I usually carry two cameras around with me. The 200 and the 400 make a big gap, so I was wondering about the 200 on the 1DS3 and the 300 on the 1D4 for example. Or a 300 and 400 combo or a 70-200 f/2.8 on the 7D and the 300 on the 1D4.

I am sure you get my drift

[Daniel Flather]

The 200/2 with the new 1.4TC should make a nice 280/2.8.  Now the 400/2.8 is another lens I'd like to try, but its price makes the 200/2 seem affordable.  I just paid my income tax bill, so funds for photo gear is zero atm.

I usually carry two cameras around with me. The 200 and the 400 make a big gap, so I was wondering about the 200 on the 1DS3 and the 300 on the 1D4 for example. Or a 300 and 400 combo or a 70-200 f/2.8 on the 7D and the 300 on the 1D4.

I am sure you get my drift

Sure do, you're not sure if you should take the Porsche or the Ferrari out today. 

[Daniel Flather]

[Daniel Flather]

[briansquibb]

Sure do, you're not sure if you should take the Porsche or the Ferrari out today. 

  I do find it amusing that my car is worth about 30% of the camera gear I carry around 

Like the cameras I keep the car until it falls to bits - a car is only for travelling from A to B, so as long as it does that reliably I keep it - usually between 7 and 10 years. This approach was why I didn't get a DSLR until 2009 because my film cameras were still giving excellent results. My 24-105 was on my film cameras first - the only lens I kept from those days.

I would expect in 5 years time my kit wont have changed much - perhaps added to at the short end. The 14mm, TSE-17 and new 24-70 are the only extras I can think of (apart from the 300). I am looking for a lot of flash at the moment - the McNally/Hobby/Arena exploits with gang flash look very interesting and I can see some use for it.

Kepp posting your great landscapes - I just cant 'see' landscapes whereas you seem to have the eye for them. They are very beautifull!

[briansquibb]

Did an outdoor model shoot

[wickidwombat]

i think the pic you posted in the other thread was better, her eyes were on fire in that one

but damn you guys are gonna make me buy this lens soon with the way you are talking it up

[briansquibb]

This lens is SO good. I always thought the 135 f/2 was good - but this is in another league even above the much aclaimed 70-200 f/2.8 II

The previous examples were softened by the forum software - the A4 prints are just stunning. A3 are even better. I am taking pictures for this actresses portfolio rather than a brilliant photos

Here is another - just look at the separation, contrast and unbeatable bg blur! Click on pic for larger image

[wickidwombat]

This lens is SO good. I always thought the 135 f/2 was good - but this is in another league even above the much aclaimed 70-200 f/2.8 II

The previous examples were softened by the forum software - the A4 prints are just stunning. A3 are even better. I am taking pictures for this actresses portfolio rather than a brilliant photos

Here is another - just look at the separation, contrast and unbeatable bg blur! Click on pic for larger image

yeah that's not background blur thats background anihilation.
I'm just trying to imagine how i'm going to get funding approval from my wife for a $6000 200mm lens
I only use my 70-200 at 200 now if i need reach the 85 doesnt have and it ok but compared to the 85 siggy its not even close.
The 70-200 is a decent travel lens for me.

Have you used the 200/f2 with teleconverters? how is it at 280 f2.8 and 400 f4?

[briansquibb]

yeah that's not background blur thats background anihilation.
I'm just trying to imagine how i'm going to get funding approval from my wife for a $6000 200mm lens
I only use my 70-200 at 200 now if i need reach the 85 doesnt have and it ok but compared to the 85 siggy its not even close.
The 70-200 is a decent travel lens for me.

Have you used the 200/f2 with teleconverters? how is it at 280 f2.8 and 400 f4?

I have the 200/400/600 + 7D, 1d4, 1Ds4 - I switch the 200 between the 1D4 and the 1DS3. Also have the 135 f/2 as well

So only use the tc on the 600

Here is the same person singing at a concert - taken with the 1D4 and 200 f/2. iso500, f/2, 1/200 - no flash allowed

[HarryWintergreen]

TLR by alabang, on Flickr

Thanks K-amps, Leopard Lupus & handsomerob

extremely nice!!!

[HarryWintergreen]

Thanks willrobb, handsomerob, briansquibb and K-amps.

The first two images were photographed with a 5D2 using it's center AF point.

K-amps & thepancakeman, good eye. I was shooting at f/2.0 and did not crop so only the camera's in the DoF. As I am not used to shooting portraits with the lens I miscalculated the DoF.

briansquibba I would buy this lens if you need an extra stop of IS, an extra stop of light and the bokeh. If you need neither then the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM is more than sufficient.

Thanks Dolina... needless to say, it is one heck of a lens!

That it is. That it is.

Here's another shot of the model that ya all like so much.


TLR by alabang, on Flickr

faint...

[K-amps]

Dan, how do you get such contrasty reflections, love it!

[MarkWebbPhoto]

I thought it might be time to contribute. Plenty more where these came from