Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS Review – A Legendary Lens That Might Get Discontinued

Here is a Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS review. The Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS is a remarkable lens but now it seems Canon might discontinue it soon.

At a glance:

• EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
• Aperture Range: f/2 to f/32
• Fluorite & Ultra-Low Dispersion Elements
• Super Spectra Coating
• Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System
• Optical Image Stabilizer
• Weather-Sealed Construction
• Detachable, Rotatable Tripod Collar
• Rounded 8-Blade Diaphragm

Christopher Frost posted his Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS review. This classic Canon telephoto lens was introduced in 2008, and now it seems that Canon is set to discontinue it in favor of an RF mount version. At least that’s what recent rumors suggests, and indeed the Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS shows up as discontinued at B&H Photo. You can still find it at Amazon.

Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM Overview

An exceptionally fast medium telephoto prime, the EF 200mm f/2L IS USM is a Canon L-series lens that is ideal for portraiture as well as indoor sports shooting or other low-light, fast-motion applications. The large f/2 maximum aperture benefits working in difficult lighting and also afford extensive control over depth of field for isolating subject matter using selective focus. Equally impressive, the optical design incorporates ultra-low dispersion glass and fluorite elements to significantly reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations for high clarity. Additionally, Super Spectra coatings have been applied to suppress lens flare and ghosting for high contrast and color neutrality when working in harsh lighting.

Complementing the imaging capabilities, this 200mm f/2 also features a four-stop-effective Image Stabilizer system that minimizes the appearance of camera shake for sharper handheld shooting. A ring-type USM and internal focusing mechanism also afford quick, quiet, and accurate autofocus performance, as well as full-time manual focus override. Additionally, a removable rotating tripod collar is included for stable use of the lens atop a tripod or monopod.

• Medium-length telephoto prime is designed for full-frame Canon EF-mount DSLRs, however can also be used with APS-C models where it provides a 320mm equivalent focal length.
• Bright f/2 maximum aperture benefits working in low-light conditions and also affords significant control over depth of field for working with selective focus techniques.
• Ultra-low dispersion and fluorite elements are used to reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations in order to produce high clarity and color accuracy.
• Super Spectra coating has been applied to individual elements to minimize ghosting and flare for greater contrast and color neutrality when working in strong lighting conditions.
• An Optical Image Stabilizer helps to minimize the appearance of camera shake by up to four shutter speed stops to better enable working in low-light conditions and with slower shutter speeds. In addition to the single-shot standard IS mode, a second mode is also available that it optimized for panning.
• A ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM), along with an internal focusing system, is employed to deliver fast, precise, and quiet autofocus performance as well as full-time manual focus override.
• A Focus Preset function is available to quickly recall a programmed focusing position.
• Rounded eight-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing out of focus quality that benefits the use of shallow depth of field and selective focus techniques.
• As a member of the esteemed L-series, this lens is sealed against dust and moisture for working in inclement environmental conditions.
• Removable rotating tripod collar is included and benefits working with the lens atop a tripod or monopod.Compatible with optional EF 1.4X and EF 2X teleconverters.