Canon EF 200 f/2L IS & EF 800 f/5.6L IS [CR2]

[Canon Rumors]

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<strong>New white lenses?</strong>

There has been some talk in the last little while about these two lenses possibly being replaced sooner than later. From personal experience, I know that Canon has discontinued the lens hood for the <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/542293-REG/Canon_2746B002AA_EF_800mm_f_5_6L_IS.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank">EF 800 f/5.6L IS</a>, this hood also worked with the 400 f/2.8L IS. Another lens that has become quite hard to get is the <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/542292-REG/Canon_2297B002_Telephoto_EF_200mm_f_2L.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank">EF 200 f/2L IS</a>. I have talked to Canon Canada and they’ve been out of stock for a while with no ETA. That’s not always a perfect way to measure replacement of a lens, but with the more expensive ones, it usually is (I’d say 90%).</p>
<p>We’ve been told both lenses would be replaced after the EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x is officially announced and production has started.</p>
<p>Current stock levels on the <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/542293-REG/Canon_2746B002AA_EF_800mm_f_5_6L_IS.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank">EF 800 f/5.6L IS</a> remain good, but how many $13,000 lenses do they sell? Replacements for both would make sense as Canon could use the same exterior materials that they’re using in the 200-400, <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/732108-USA/Canon_4411B002_EF_300mm_f_2_8L_IS.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank">EF 300 f/2.8L IS II</a>, <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/732109-USA/Canon_4412B002_EF_400mm_f_2_8L_IS.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank">EF 400 f/2.8L IS II</a>, <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/754507-USA/Canon_5124B002_500mm_f_4L_EF_IS.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank">EF 500 f/4L IS II</a> & <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/754508-REG/Canon_5125B002_EF_600mm_f_4L_IS.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank">EF 600 f/4L IS II</a> lenses.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

 

[cdang]

The 200 f2L IS is definitely coming.. Since I just bought it.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I'm kind of surprised to hear about the 200 f/2L IS being up for replacement already. The current model is already considered to be pretty close to optically perfect and has an effective IS system. I also doubt that it is a high volume lens at its current price, and Canon seems incapable of designing replacements that are even close to the price of current models.

This seems like a bit of a head scratcher to me, although I wouldn't be sad to see some MK I's at reduced prices on the used market.

 

[bseitz234]

I'm kind of surprised to hear about the 200 f/2L IS being up for replacement already. The current model is already considered to be pretty close to optically perfect and has an effective IS system. I also doubt that it is a high volume lens at its current price, and Canon seems incapable of designing replacements that are even close to the price of current models.

This seems like a bit of a head scratcher to me, although I wouldn't be sad to see some MK I's at reduced prices on the used market.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[facedodge]

plus one... how can the 200mm f/2L IS be made better?

 

[Daniel Flather]

plus one... how can the 200mm f/2L IS be made better?

+1, only possible way is to lower its weight, but a 200/2 will never be light for a 200mm lens.

 

[GMCPhotographics]

I'm kind of surprised to hear about the 200 f/2L IS being up for replacement already. The current model is already considered to be pretty close to optically perfect and has an effective IS system. I also doubt that it is a high volume lens at its current price, and Canon seems incapable of designing replacements that are even close to the price of current models.

This seems like a bit of a head scratcher to me, although I wouldn't be sad to see some MK I's at reduced prices on the used market.

The newer hood design needs a different front to each lens. The newer lenses don't have a protection element, which the mkI lenses do. The newer ones are a complete redesign, mechanically and optically. The newer ones are a LOT lighter, the new 400 f2.8 is hanholdable and the new 500L is amazingly light in weight. The newer lenses are better in every regard, sharper, less vignetting, better TC results, better IS and faster AF. There are newer coatings (SWF or what ever Canon now call it), Flourite coatings to reduce dust attraction and make them less flare prone.

Sure the new ones are expensive, but they are slowly coming down in price. If you couldn't afford a white tele before the mkII's the increase in price isn't going to make any difference. There's plenty of great condition S/H copies of the mkI lenses available.

All Canon lenses are rediculously over priced in their first year...but there's plenty of muppets who want to pay this premium to brag the newest toys. Wait a few years, let the initial batch issues get ironed out and then snag a bargain. Just remember that well looked after Canon lenses are usually worth more over time. Most of my lenses from 6 years back, which I bought new are now worth more S/H than what I originally paid for them. The same is true with the big whites. If you buy a mkI 500L S/H...it will never loose you money and probably go up in value over time. Where as the resale value of DSLR camera bodies drop like a lead ballon over time.

 

[RS2021]

All Canon lenses are rediculously over priced in their first year...but there's plenty of muppets who want to pay this premium to brag the newest toys.

+1
LOL! Love the term "muppets"... apt!

 

[RS2021]

This seems like a bit of a head scratcher to me

Yup...dun't make sense....more like CR0.

 

[RLPhoto]

plus one... how can the 200mm f/2L IS be made better?

+1, only possible way is to lower its weight, but a 200/2 will never be light for a 200mm lens.

+2, but perhaps the return of the Legendary F/1.8?

 

[bseitz234]

plus one... how can the 200mm f/2L IS be made better?

+1, only possible way is to lower its weight, but a 200/2 will never be light for a 200mm lens.

+2, but perhaps the return of the Legendary F/1.8?

Sharpness and IS of the f/2, at a wide open f/1.8? I'd pay MarkII supertele price for that... as soon as I was able to save that much.

 

[Studio1930]

I own the 200 f/2 and have for some time now. It is my main lens that I use as it is just hard to find anything that works better (for me). As for a replacement, I can see where they would significantly reduce the weight and improve the IS by a few stops. Those two things alone would make it a great purchase but the MK1 will still be a great lens as well. I don't think a newer version would reduce the value of the MK1 so don't expect to see mine up for sale at 1/2 price.

 

[RS2021]

I don't think a newer version would reduce the value of the MK1 so don't expect to see mine up for sale at 1/2 price.

I can take it off your hands at 3/4th the price, but only for you, a stranger from CR... seriously I'll be doing you a favor, but I am generous like that. :

 

[Studio1930]

I don't think a newer version would reduce the value of the MK1 so don't expect to see mine up for sale at 1/2 price.

I can take it off your hands at 3/4th the price, but only for you, a stranger from CR... seriously I'll be doing you a favor, but I am generous like that. :

LOL. That's nice of you, I think. :-\ Seriously though, the lens hood for this lens is between $400-700 depending on where you buy it and what type you get. Crazy!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/548376-REG/Canon_2346B001_ET_120B_Lens_Hood_for.html

 

[jrista]

plus one... how can the 200mm f/2L IS be made better?

+1, only possible way is to lower its weight, but a 200/2 will never be light for a 200mm lens.

A lot of people thought the previous crop of 300, 400, 500, and 600mm lenses couldn't be made better. In every respect, including and in particular IQ, all of those Mark II lenses ARE better than their predecessors. Sometimes by a significant degree. For example, the new EF 600mm f/4 L IS II is sharper than the EF 800mm f/5.6 L IS, even when a 1.4x TC is used, according to a review by Art Moriss, a world-renown bird photographer who puts his gear through the greatest of tests every time he uses them. In another article, Art also notes that he will be moving from the 800mm to the 600mm thanks to the fact that it is overall, in pretty much every way, a better lens (closer MFD, better sharpness, lighter weight, etc. etc.) If you read through his blog, he has quite a few good things to say about the new generation of telephoto lenses from Canon.

I see no reason the 200mm f/2 and the 800mm f/5.6 couldn't be updated to be just as superior to the current versions as the new generation of recently released Mark II lenses are to their predecessors. Lighter, better IS, faster AF, significantly improved center to corner sharpness, etc.

 

[jasonsim]

I've had both these lenses and glad that I sold them off before the new ones come out. For the 800mm, Nikon just came out with theirs, so it makes sense for Canon to respond. Especially since most wildlife photographers are trading the 800mm in the the 600mm f/4L IS II ( I did ). They need to redesign the 800mm to make a compelling reason for us to buy it over the less expensive 600mm II. Make it lighter, thinner, give it the mode 3 IS, better weight distribution, etc.

The 200mm could also be refreshed to reduce weight, mode 3 IS, new coatings, more fluorite, etc. Make it start at f/1.8!!!

But looking at this from Canon's perspective, this is economic genius...refresh two already great lenses, give them a new paint job and sell them for double the price!

 

[bdunbar79]

I'm kind of surprised to hear about the 200 f/2L IS being up for replacement already. The current model is already considered to be pretty close to optically perfect and has an effective IS system. I also doubt that it is a high volume lens at its current price, and Canon seems incapable of designing replacements that are even close to the price of current models.

This seems like a bit of a head scratcher to me, although I wouldn't be sad to see some MK I's at reduced prices on the used market.

The newer hood design needs a different front to each lens. The newer lenses don't have a protection element, which the mkI lenses do. The newer ones are a complete redesign, mechanically and optically. The newer ones are a LOT lighter, the new 400 f2.8 is hanholdable and the new 500L is amazingly light in weight. The newer lenses are better in every regard, sharper, less vignetting, better TC results, better IS and faster AF. There are newer coatings (SWF or what ever Canon now call it), Flourite coatings to reduce dust attraction and make them less flare prone.

Sure the new ones are expensive, but they are slowly coming down in price. If you couldn't afford a white tele before the mkII's the increase in price isn't going to make any difference. There's plenty of great condition S/H copies of the mkI lenses available.

All Canon lenses are rediculously over priced in their first year...but there's plenty of muppets who want to pay this premium to brag the newest toys. Wait a few years, let the initial batch issues get ironed out and then snag a bargain. Just remember that well looked after Canon lenses are usually worth more over time. Most of my lenses from 6 years back, which I bought new are now worth more S/H than what I originally paid for them. The same is true with the big whites. If you buy a mkI 500L S/H...it will never loose you money and probably go up in value over time. Where as the resale value of DSLR camera bodies drop like a lead ballon over time.

Actually the newer 300 f/2.8L IS and 400 f/2.8L IS are NOT sharper than the mark I's.

 

[jrista]

I'm kind of surprised to hear about the 200 f/2L IS being up for replacement already. The current model is already considered to be pretty close to optically perfect and has an effective IS system. I also doubt that it is a high volume lens at its current price, and Canon seems incapable of designing replacements that are even close to the price of current models.

This seems like a bit of a head scratcher to me, although I wouldn't be sad to see some MK I's at reduced prices on the used market.

The newer hood design needs a different front to each lens. The newer lenses don't have a protection element, which the mkI lenses do. The newer ones are a complete redesign, mechanically and optically. The newer ones are a LOT lighter, the new 400 f2.8 is hanholdable and the new 500L is amazingly light in weight. The newer lenses are better in every regard, sharper, less vignetting, better TC results, better IS and faster AF. There are newer coatings (SWF or what ever Canon now call it), Flourite coatings to reduce dust attraction and make them less flare prone.

Sure the new ones are expensive, but they are slowly coming down in price. If you couldn't afford a white tele before the mkII's the increase in price isn't going to make any difference. There's plenty of great condition S/H copies of the mkI lenses available.

All Canon lenses are rediculously over priced in their first year...but there's plenty of muppets who want to pay this premium to brag the newest toys. Wait a few years, let the initial batch issues get ironed out and then snag a bargain. Just remember that well looked after Canon lenses are usually worth more over time. Most of my lenses from 6 years back, which I bought new are now worth more S/H than what I originally paid for them. The same is true with the big whites. If you buy a mkI 500L S/H...it will never loose you money and probably go up in value over time. Where as the resale value of DSLR camera bodies drop like a lead ballon over time.

Actually the newer 300 f/2.8L IS and 400 f/2.8L IS are NOT sharper than the mark I's.

Not in the center. They are in the corners, which is where a lot of the improvement in the Mark II's went.

 

[bdunbar79]

True. But I crop all of my sports photos, so that's why I didn't notice any improvement.

 

[KyleSTL]

But looking at this from Canon's perspective, this is economic genius...refresh two already great lenses, give them a new paint job and sell them for double the price!

Seriously, who wants these two old lenses that clash with the new big whites?!?

In all seriousness, I think between weight, coatings and paint (in that order of importance) are more than enough to justify replacement. I think when they are replaced and we see the image quality improvements on the 800mm it will make sense, I mean, think how good the 600mm II is with the 1.4x tele at the same focal length - how good will a native 800mm II look? For the 200mm, I can't see that the image quality will increase that much (at least given current pixel density). Maybe in the near future when there is a >24MP FF camera, it might show all the difference between the I and II superteles.