Here is a fun review of an epic Canon lens from the past. In this episode of Gear of Yesteryear, DPReviewTV reviews the Canon EF 200mm f/1.8L USM. To some, it is regarded as one of the best lenses that Canon has ever made, to others… well they still think it's awesome.
The Canon EF 200mm f/1.8L USM is a relatively easy lens to come by, as they are regularly available on eBay. I purchased this lens used from the Fred Miranda forum for about $3000 USD. I didn't need a mint copy and so the price was right.
These lenses can be repaired, there is a company in Michigan that can apparently rebuild the autofocus motors and make other repairs on it. Canon themselves won't do any sort of repairs. So you need to know that going in, but these lenses are as reliable as any big white Canon L lens.
You can check out the sample gallery from the review here.
Canon EF 200mm f/1.8L USM Specifications
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Now, if only Canon would come out with a RF version of this lens, or other wide open (~90-110 mm entrance pupil) telephoto lenses ... ooooohhh! :p
The lens focus system might not be accurate/repeatable enough for this application. Canon never confirmed it, but things like the RF70-200 focus issue on launch strongly imply that the AF system is open loop, it doesn't confirm focus after the lens focussed to the distance the camera told it to focus at.
I would be nice if Canon offered an option to use DPAF to get the lens focussed quickly and then use the good old CDAF to fine-tune it.
Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM Lens Image Quality
It was awfully front-heavy, I understand the newish 200/f2 is much better in that regard.
Lensrentals tears down a Canon RF 100-500mm F4.7-7.1 lens to solve the mystery of a cracked element
There is a place in Michigan that can rebuild these lenses including the AF motors.
They also talked about increased haze and lower contrast, slower focus, and it being more about hit rate - given the increased distance as well, I wonder if it all combined a bit compared to the 85mm 1.2 RF she's used to.
It was removed from Canon's product catalogue in 2003 and was selling for $3,400 of that time's money. This was when I got my first dSLR the EOS 10D. Manufacturing of that lens ended years earlier.
I've spoken to owners of this lens who also bought the 200/2.0 IS and they all consistently said that the 200/2.0 IS is a better buy even if it's 1/3 stop slower.
But for photogs who just run on numbers and not handled it practically the f/1.8 number on a 200mm is just mind blowing.
Here's my gallery of 200/2.0 photos
And an improvised lens cap.
Selecta Ice Cream by dolina, on Flickr
Photos of this remarkable EF lens of two different owners
200mm f/1.8L USM by dolina, on Flickr
Pat Te Seng by dolina, on Flickr
Here, here! I quite like my slim, light, 200/2.8 L II, which I picked up for a very reasonable sum on Ebay this time last year.