Review Canon Lens EF 200mm 1: 2.8 L II Ultrasonic

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Navigation

1. In short
2. History
3. Main Specifications
4. Assembly
5. Focusing
6. Image quality
7. Sample Photos
8. My experience
9. Prices / where to find
10. Results
11. User Comments
12. Add your review, comment or question on the lens

In the review, I will call the lens CANON LENS EF 200mm 1: 2.8 L II ULTRASONIC for short - Canon 200/2.8L II. In different sources, catalogs or stores, the name of the lens may be indicated a little differently.

In short

The Canon 200/2.8 L II is a high-quality telephoto lens with a fixed focal length and a maximum aperture of F/2.8. Sharp, fast, reliable, with beautiful bokeh.

Today, the Canon 200/2.8 L II is considered obsolete, but it can still be easily found on sale.

Canon 200/2.8 L II is usually easily replaced with original zoom lenses:

• Canon 80-200 / 2.8 L (1989)
• Canon 70-200 / 2.8 L USM (1995)
• Canon 70-200 / 2.8 L IS USM (2001)
• Canon 70-200 / 2.8 L IS II USM (2010)
• Canon 70-200 / 2.8 L IS III USM (2018)
• Canon 70-200 / 2.8 L IS USM RF (2019)

and similar third-party Canon EF mount lenses, by type Sigma 70-200/2.8 DG OS HSM S or Tamron 70-200/2.8 Di SP VC USD G2.

Of the significant shortcomings of the Canon 200 / 2.8 L II, one can only single out the lack of a stabilizer, however, for some modern mirrorless cameras of the series Canon EOS it's not critical at all.

History

Canon has vast experience in making 200/4, 200/3.5, 200/2.8, 200/2 and 200/1.8 class lenses. Below is a list of all 200/2.8 versions:

1. CANON LENS FD 200mm 1:2.8 SSC, 1975, 5/5
2. CANON LENS FD 200mm 1:2.8, 1979, 5/5, nFD
3. CANON LENS FD 200mm 1:2.8, 1982, 7/6, nFD
4. CANON LENS EF 200mm 1: 2.8 L ULTRASONIC, announced December 1991, 9/7
5. CANON LENS EF 200mm 1: 2.8 L II ULTRASONIC, announced March 1996, 9/7

Canon 200/2.8 L II is an upgrade from an older version Canon 200 / 2.8 L. Both versions of the Canon 200 / 2.8 EF are based on the same optical design and have few significant differences.

Almost at the same time, a similar lens was announced with the Canon 200 / 2.8 L II CANON LENS EF 135mm 1: 2 L ULTRASONIC. Lenses 200/2.8 L II and 135/2L have a lot in common.

The main technical characteristics of Canon Lens EF 200mm 1: 2.8 L II Ultrasonic:

Review Instance Name	Canon Lens EF 200mm 1:2.8 L II Ultrasonic CANON LENS MADE IN JAPAN ø72mm 113223
Basic properties	EF (Eelectro-Focus) is a lens designed for Canon EOS full-frame cameras. Suitable for Canon mount cameras EF и Ef-s. Ultrasonic – ultrasonic motor II - second version of the lens AF-MF (Auto Focus-Mannual Focus) - the lens is equipped with a focus mode switch Focus Distance Limiter L (Luxury) - premium lens FTM (Full Time Manual Focusing) - the possibility of continuous manual focusing UD (Ultra Low Dispersion) - the presence of extra-low dispersion elements in the optical scheme IF (Iinternal Focusing) - internal focus tripod foot support teleconverter support
Front Filter Diameter	72 mm, plastic thread for filters
Focal length	200 mm EGF for Canon cameras with APS-C sensor and Kf = 1.6x is 320 mm EGF for Canon cameras with APS-H sensor and Kf = 1.3x is 260 mm
Zoom ratio	1 X (this is a fixed focal length lens, it does not have zoom)
Designed by	for full-frame film SLR cameras. Lens Suitable for all Canon EOS SLR cameras
Number of aperture blades	8 rounded petals
Tags	bayonet mount mark depth of field scale for f / 32 infrared mark (red dot) window with focusing distance in meters (white marking, 1.5, 2, 3, 5, 10 meters and infinity mark) and feet (green marking, 5, 7, 10, 15, 30 feet and infinity mark)
Diaphragm	F / 2.8 to F / 32
MDF	1.5 meters maximum magnification ratio 1:6.25 (the smaller the second number, the better for macro photography)
The weight	758 grams (measured, lens only, without caps and tripod foot)
Optical design	9 elements in 7 groups. The lens uses 2 special optical elements UD (Ultra Low Ddispersion) The diagram image is clickable. The same optical design is used by the Canon Lens EF 200mm 1: 2.8 L Ultrasonic lens
Lens hood	Hood CANON ET-83BII CANON INC. MADE IN JAPAN. The lens hood can be installed in reverse for transport or storage.
Manufacturer country	LENS MADE IN JAPAN (made in Japan)
Period	Since March 1996
Price	View on E-katalog

One of the subtle advantages of telephoto lenses with a maximum aperture of 1:2.8 is the ability to easily pair them with teleconverters. Canon 200/2.8 L II works great with original 1.4X and 2X teleconverters.

Assembly

The Canon 200/2.8 L II is well built. This is an L-series lens, and therefore almost everything is done at the highest level. Externally, the lens is very similar to its peers - Canon 135 / 2 L.

The Canon 200/2.8 L II can use the CANON ET-83BII plastic bayonet hood, which fits into the grooves on the lens barrel. The lens hood can be installed in the opposite direction for convenience during transportation, in this state access to the focus ring is lost. On the inside of the hood there is a fabric coating.

From the side of the rear lens, the insides of the case are covered with a special dust-catching cloth.

True, Canon 200/2.8 L II does not have all-weather protection, there is not even a rubber O-shaped mount seal.

Canon 200/2.8 L II can use detachable tripod foot. The foot is not included and must be purchased separately.

Focusing

Canon 200 / 2.8 L II uses an ultrasonic focus motor Canon USM (Ultrasonic) and focuses quickly (closer to 'very fast'). Focusing is quite quiet, but the hum from the focus motor will be clearly audible during movie shooting using the camera's built-in microphone.

On camera Canon EOS-1 Ds Mark II with advanced 47-point focusing module (7 crosswise) I had no problems with accuracy and tenacity of focus.

During focusing, the front and rear lenses remain stationary - the lens uses internal focus. It is possible to use any filters without problems.

The minimum focusing distance is only 150 cm, while you can shoot with magnification 1:6.25. Canon 200 / 2.8 L II has a window with a distance scale in meters and feet. There is a label for working in the infrared spectrum and a depth of field scale (but only for F / 32).

In manual focus mode, the ring rotates approximately 135 degrees (3/8 of a full turn), when reaching the extreme positions it does not rest, but continues to slide without affecting focusing.

There is a switch on the lens barrel that is responsible for the focus operation mode - 'AF / MF' (automatic / manual focus).

Canon 200/2.8 L II has focus distance limiter:

• In the '1.5m-∞' position, automatic focusing is available over the entire range of distances - from ∞ to MDF
• In the '3.5m-∞' position, auto focus is available in the range from 3.5 meters to ∞

During manual focusing, the limiter does not work.

Canon continuous manual focus control supported in 'AF' mode FTM (Full Time Manual Focusing), which implies that you can rotate the focus ring at any time. The intricacies of working with the FTM mode are described in detail in the review. Canon Zoom Lens EF 24-105mm 1: 4 L IS USM.

Focus Features:

1. Canon 200/2.8 L II does not have a hard infinity mechanical stop, which allows you to accurately and quickly focus the lens to infinity under any external temperature conditions. For accurate aiming at infinity, you can’t just bring the focus ring to the extreme position on the side of infinity.
2. Canon 200/2.8 L II has a tangible effect 'Focus breathing' (changing the angle of view while focusing). During focusing on the MDF, the viewing angle decreases.
3. Focus shift (shift-focus) was not noticed during operation and testing.
4. The Canon 200/2.8 L II focuses well in Live View, including when shooting video. The accuracy and response of a lens is highly dependent on the camera used.
5. On mirrorless cameras Canon EOS M the lens can be used with an adapter Canon mount adapter EF-EOS M
6. On mirrorless cameras Canon EOS lens can be used with Canon EF -> R adapter

Image quality

Canon 200/2.8 L II has no particular problems with image quality. Everything is good or excellent. The lens was introduced in film times, but the lens should not experience any special problems with modern digital cameras.

Sharpness/Resolution

• in the center of the frame at F / 2.8 the lens has good / excellent resolution
• there is a very slight drop in sharpness towards the far edges and corners of the frame
• the stock of sharpness should be sufficient at least for teleconverters with a magnification of 1.4x
• only on very closed apertures, detail can drop due to diffraction
• very high resolution over the entire field of the frame at apertures in the region of F / 5.6

Distortion

• the lens has a low level of distortion

Vignetting

• noticeable vignetting is observed only at f / 2.8 (example)
• vignetting almost completely disappears at F / 5.6
• vignetting is easily fixable in the editor

Aberration

• the level of chromatic aberration is low (only in the most difficult conditions can you get an abundance of chromatic aberration, example)
• spherical aberration rate is low
• the level of freezing (aberrations coloring contrast elements in the blur zone) is low

Rest

• in backlight and strong side light, you can get a small amount of glare
• nice, good color reproduction
• diaphragm opening at covered values ​​is well rounded
• in many scenes, the lens can create nice bokeh

There is a lens profile for the lens in popular RAW converters.

Modern Canon cameras can recognize this lens, which allows you to automatically correct vignetting, distortion and some chromatic aberrations. Paired with Canon's 200/2.8 L II enhancement algorithms, it's simply wonderful. Modern digital photography is not only the lens of the lens and the sensor of the camera, but also the post-processing of the result.

Sample photos (Full Frame)

Pictures in the gallery were obtained using legendary camera Canon EOS-1 Ds Mark II (Full Frame, 17 MP). Converting original RAW files with the original Canon DPP4 utility.

RAW '.CR2' original photos can be download / watch this link (50 photos).

My experience

I really love these lenses. For a long time I used similar Nikon 180mm 1: 2.8 ED AF Nikkor MKIII and was very happy. But class 70-200/2.8 lenses, and even with a stabilizer, captivate with their greater versatility.

The Canon 200/2.8 L II makes sense only when you need 200mm focal length. In general, it will be better than zooms of the 70-200 / 2.8 class at a value of 200 / 2.8, but with latest models 70-200/2.8 the difference at 200 / 2.8 will not be so significant as to give up a more convenient set of focal lengths and a stabilizer.

Shooting with the Canon 200/2.8 L II is a pleasure. Canon 200 / 2.8 L II is much more convenient and technologically advanced than a similar Nikon 180mm 1: 2.8D ED AF Nikkor MKIV. I should note that neither Canon 200/2.8 L II (1996) nor Nikon 180/2.8D ED AF MKIV (1994) have not been further developed. Most likely they were really absorbed by bright zoom lenses.

Of the modern 200 / 2.8 class lenses, only SMC Pentax-DA* 200mm 1:2.8 ED [IF] SDM, announced in 2008.

In some situations, Canon 200 / 2.8 L II can be an excellent addition to portrait fixes Canon 135 / 2 L, Canon 85/1.4 IS L и Canon 85/1.2L II.

Prices

Lens prices are available look at E-Catalogue at this link, or in the following price block:

 

Results

The Canon 200/2.8 L II is a great lens. Good optical performance, fast autofocus, nice bokeh. It is a pity that such solutions are becoming more and more history, giving way to more convenient zoom lenses.

Advantages

1. fast auto focus
2. focus distance limiter
3. focus type internal
4. FTM function
5. quality assembly
6. tripod foot support (for example, Nikon 180/2.8D ED AF does not support it)
7. Canon L-series premium lens
8. rounded aperture blades
9. two low dispersion elements in the optical scheme
10. good optical performance, including confident sharpness at F / 2.8 across the entire field of the frame

Disadvantages

1. there is no built-in image stabilizer (for example, there is Canon 300/4 LIS 1997 of the year)
2. tripod foot not included
3. there is no basic dust and moisture protection (there is not even a rubber mount seal)
4. tangible effect of 'Focus Breathing' (changes in viewing angle during focusing)
5. the optical design is not updated and copies the optical design from the previous Canon 200 / 2.8 L lens
6. high cost (at about the same cost you can buy a modern Tamron SP 70-200 / 2.8 Di VC USD G2)
7. heavy weight (with a tripod foot Canon 200 / 2.8 L II weighs more, for example, than Tamron 70-180/2.8 Di III VXD)
8. big size
9. for a quarter of a century there has been no update of this model
10. strong vignetting at F / 2.8

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Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram