Used 200 1.8L

Home · Register · Search · Software · Hosting · Software · Join Upload & Sell

FM Forum Rules
Canon SLRs, primes, and zooms lenses reviews

FM Forums \| Canon-mount SLRs \| Join Upload & Sell
1 2 3 end

Archive 2011 · Used 200 1.8L

Tom Dix
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #1 · Used 200 1.8L

Peter is correct about B&S; I would also add KEH to the list. KEH conservatively rates their gear and returns are handled professionally.

I have been photographing for a living for several years and have had the wonderful opportunity to use some truly amazing gear. Lighting from Profoto, and Bron, large format gear, medium format, film and digital from Sinar, Blad, Mamiya and Phase, to name a few.
35/dslr lenses from Canon, Nikon, Leica, Zeiss, Oly, and others.

Very few pieces of kit are capable of, when used properly to capture a wonderful image, emotionally moving me. The 200 1.8 is one of those unique pieces of kit.

It is on my short list of most amazing photographic works of art.

The 200 1.8 is legendary, for good reason.

Dec 02, 2011 at 12:11 AM

PetKal
Online
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #2 · Used 200 1.8L

Tom Dix wrote:
I would also add KEH to the list. KEH conservatively rates their gear and returns are handled professionally.

I agree with Tom on KEH.
A couple of weeks ago they sold one BGN grade 200 f/1.8 for something like $3,250.
Sometimes those bargain lenses are very good, inexplicably rated as BGN.

My current 200 f/1.8 I got from KEH as bargain grade quite favourably a few years ago when excellent condition copies were going for well over $4,000.
The reason the lens was graded BGN was some paint scraped off the barrel, probably 1cm square in area. Otherwise the lens was nice and clean, complete with hood case, etc.

I took my time and repaired that spot painstakingly and the lens now looks almost blemishless.
Even though I own 200 f/2 IS, my 200 f/1.8 sees more frequent use and gives me more joy of photography. 200 f/2 IS is merely a fine photography tool, whereas 200 f/1.8 is an inspired piece of lens craft/art.

Dec 02, 2011 at 12:38 AM

Tom Dix
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #3 · Used 200 1.8L

whereas 200 f/1.8 is an inspired piece of lens craft/art.

Agreed!

Dec 02, 2011 at 02:24 AM

Hammy
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #4 · Used 200 1.8L

And my post was from what I've experienced, I own not one, but TWO 200/1.8s!

The first I bought for shooting my daughter's gymnastics. 5 years later, being my most used lens, my wife had to have a copy!

Granted the 200/2 will do about everything the 1.8 will do with warranty/service, I don't believe there is a substitute for the light gathering, bokeh diminishing capabilitiies of a phat, white prime.

Dec 02, 2011 at 05:20 AM

Helen Oster
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #5 · Used 200 1.8L

PetKal wrote:
I have been watching Adorama's 200 f/1.8 lenses for a long time, I even bought one from them myself.
Have you seen that one which is fungus infested and they wanted for it $3,600 buy it now on eBay ?
My sincere suggestion is to stay away from Adorama's 200 f/1.8s on account of the price and perhaps quality as well.

I don't like the sound of this at all; please can you give me a link to it so I can get it dealt with? Helen@adorama.com

Many thanks

Dec 02, 2011 at 09:53 AM

mspringfield
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #6 · Used 200 1.8L

I have been shooting for Hammy since he got started and the very first lens that he had me shoot was the 200 1.8. I was personally shooting Nikon at that time a loved everything about it. The 200 1.8 really made me pause and think hard about Canon. A couple of years later when my gear was stolen I used the insurance money to move to Canon. My initial purchase was a 1DMkII, a 28-70 2.8, and a 70-200 2.8. The very next thing I did was search for my own copy of the 200 1.8. It was the 3rd Canon lens that I purchased. I have never looked back and would buy another in a heartbeat.

Peter is right "It is unfortunate that some people on this forum persist in giving advice on gear and issues they have limited or no experience with." For some reason the 200 1.8 seems to be their main target because "Canon no longer will repair it", however you never hear the same arguments about the original 300/400 2.8 or the 500 4.5. Or at least when you do it is not as insistent of an argument. I have always wondered why so many people who have never owned or had any experience with the 200 1.8 keep trying to talk potential buyers out of it. Lens envy maybe?

If you can find a good copy then by all means buy it!! Just don'y ask me to sell you mine..

Dec 02, 2011 at 02:01 PM

PaulB
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #7 · Used 200 1.8L

I would never try and dissuade anybody from buying an early Canon super-tele of whatever FL.
It just seems that there are some people who don't realise that Canon have no parts and won't touch them anymore and for the prices they are thinking of paying I think they deserve to know that and be fully aware of what they are letting themselves in for.

I missed a 200/1.8L in auction last year because of the bad weather we were having - wished I'd made the effort becouse no-one else went either and it sold for a song! Wish I'd never checked on the prices now.

Would have gone nicely with my 300/2.8L.................

Dec 02, 2011 at 02:48 PM

saneproduction
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #8 · Used 200 1.8L

Well, I was super close to ordering the lens I linked to despite the advice against it and the missing hood (I never use hoods on my other lenses). Can't make the finances work right now. Totally bummed as I have a show Wednesday I really want this lens for.

Plan to put the TE-E 17 up for sale after the huge discounts currently happening expire on the 7th, saving for the difference in price. (hope to get $2150 for the 17) then look for a better copy of the 200 F1.8. Don't want to sell any more lenses to get it. Like the 24, L II, 35L, 50L, 85L II, 135L set I have and can't part with any other lenses.

Dec 03, 2011 at 06:45 AM

jcolwell
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #9 · Used 200 1.8L

saneproduction wrote:
...Don't want to sell any more lenses to get it. Like the 24, L II, 35L, 50L, 85L II, 135L set I have and can't part with any other lenses.

I know what you mean. I have the same set, minus the 24II and plus the 200/1.8L. Let's both be patient. I'll get a 24/1.4L II and you'll get a 200/1.8L. All in good time.

Dec 03, 2011 at 01:27 PM

saneproduction
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #10 · Used 200 1.8L

Ok, Deal trading my 24L II for your 200 1.8

Dec 03, 2011 at 05:50 PM

jcolwell
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #11 · Used 200 1.8L

saneproduction wrote:
Ok, Deal trading my 24L II for your 200 1.8

Let me think about it for a few decades.

Dec 03, 2011 at 06:03 PM

PetKal
Online
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #12 · Used 200 1.8L

Let me illustrate a bit more why I cherish my 200 f/1.8.
All shot wide open or thereabout, using 1DsMkII, JPGs practically out of camera, about 33% crop.

Edited on Dec 04, 2011 at 04:41 AM · View previous versions

Dec 03, 2011 at 07:47 PM

saneproduction
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #13 · Used 200 1.8L

Amazing Peter!

Dec 03, 2011 at 09:38 PM

PetKal
Online
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #14 · Used 200 1.8L

Thank you, Sane....these are common, ordinary birds which anybody can photograph. Of course, a lens like 200 f/1.8 helps.

Edited on Dec 04, 2011 at 04:40 AM · View previous versions

Dec 04, 2011 at 12:37 AM

saneproduction
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #15 · Used 200 1.8L

Wow Peter! That one is my favorite!

How does it do with an EF Extender 1.4x II?

I could have really used this lens in my outdoor portrait session today. The 135L was not getting me the separation I wanted in 3/4 length portraits.

Dec 04, 2011 at 12:53 AM

Grantland
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #16 · Used 200 1.8L

i use the 1.4x II all the time with my 200 f/1.8.

no BIF or DIF but i find it great for sports.

Edited on Dec 04, 2011 at 02:08 AM · View previous versions

Dec 04, 2011 at 01:14 AM

PetKal
Online
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #17 · Used 200 1.8L

Well, I am not a big fan of TCs, partly because I do a fair bit of action photography for which I need every ounce of AF speed I can get. Furthermore, I seldom if ever hunger for more FL.

Therefore, I can't give you a good answer. Several years ago I did try 200 f/1.8 with 2xTC and was utterly unimpressed with IQ, let alone a sluggish AF response. Never again have I mounted a TC on the lens since.

One also needs to keep in mind that the 200 f/1.8 AF drive speed is unexceptional (i.e., average) to start with, thus placing TCs on the lens moves you into a sluggish domain.
200 f/2 IS has a faster AF response time for sure.

Yes, when it comes to subject-background separation, 200 f/1.8 is obviously excellent. Moreover, the lens is very sharp wide open, therefore one doesn't stop her down for IQ, only for DoF.

Dec 04, 2011 at 01:24 AM

saneproduction
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #18 · Used 200 1.8L

My intended use for the teleconverter would be comedy shows and possibly concerts (just a few shots to round out coverage with the 50, 85, 135 and the 200 (which I use my 135L + TC 1.4 II with now in place of the 200 I don't have). So while it is not ideal, there is no way a fast 300 will ever be in my budget and hoping the 200 1.8 will give me 280mm 2.5 as a bonus. I really respect you opinion though and I will consider this carfully as I figure our what to do. The 200 F2 IS is nearly twice as much as a used 200 1.8 and I really feel my main purpose does not need IS. Sure, could shoot slower shutters, but I find 1/125 the minimum for catching the moments I want and 1/160 or 1/200th better anyway.

The IQ in the shots above look great!

Dec 04, 2011 at 01:36 AM

PetKal
Online
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #19 · Used 200 1.8L

I see....probably the AF drive speed of the 200 f/1.8 + 1.4xTC combo will be perfectly adequate for your intended application.

Also, it may well be that the MkIII 1.4xTC does give a nice IQ, after all, some folks like Grant above get good results even with the MkII TC.

Dec 04, 2011 at 01:42 AM

jcolwell
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #20 · Used 200 1.8L

I find the 200/1.8L doesn't take Extenders nearly as well as the 70-200/2.8L IS (I and II) and the longer telephotos 300/2.8L IS and 500/4L IS. As mentioned by Sane, it's usefully faster than the 70-200/2.8 + 1.4x III, but it loses its magic. For times when the f/4 of the 70-200/2.8L IS II + 1.4x III is adequate, it provides better IQ than the 200/1.8L + 1.4x III. Of course, neither can touch the bare 300/2.8L IS, which also takes Extenders very well. I have used the 200/1.8L + 1.4x for field sports in low light, and it provides usable images, but not at to the high standard that this lens produces on its own. Like Peter, I find the 200/1.8L + 2x III is not a very happy combination. Again, the 70-200/2.8L IS II + 1.4x III provides much better results, but at lower shutter speeds.

Dec 04, 2011 at 01:46 AM

1 2 3 end
FM Forums \| Canon-mount SLRs \| Join Upload & Sell 1 2 3 end