So far this lens is a little more difficult to handhold than the 135L, and I'm still not sure whether it is sharper or not, but I did get a chance to check the AF out and it seems to be pretty quick. This is a shot from the back yard today with my dog Tucker as the test subject. Hopefully a few more sessions with it and I won't regret forsaking the zoom for this prime. It did take me quite a while to decide upon this one, and I still may pick up the 70-200 f/4IS down the road if I find that I need the zoom.

At least you posted a better shot! After seeing "I have just bought such an exotic lens" only to see really crappy P&S images in the post, makes me sad

Thats a tricky one for me, as I get the urge to try out my new gear immediately, and a lot of lenses take a little time to get used to. I was just testing the lens out and certainly had some misfires with center point only focusing. I hope to get the keeper rate up, but I am at least confident after today that the OOF shots I got were my fault, and not the fault of my new lens. It will be difficult for this lens to surpass the 135L for me, but maybe in time it will...

And I know I need to rake the leaves, it will be done before the holiday. This photo would have been a lot better with green grass to provide some contrast.

I hope this lens turns out to be a keeper for you. I have been debating as to weather I would be wise to get the same lens and use it with a 2X for birds in flight. Maybe you could test it that way and let me know if the sharpness drops off significantly.
Why did you say single auto focus point only? Are you not able to use multiple AF points with this lens?

Thanks, I hope it will be a keeper as well, and I think it will. Maybe one day I'll get the faster 200 prime, but that day is going to be a long time from now. I'll give it a shot with my Canon 1.4xTC, as that was one of the attractions to the lens for me...the ability to use it with teleconverters. I'll test it out, but as far as the 2X goes, I don't have one and I think the 300f4 with 1.4xTC would likely be better for birds in flight than this one with the 2x. I'll check it out with the 1.4 on Thursday or Saturday and maybe someone else on the board can chime in on the 2x if they've used the combination.

...and regarding the single AF point was just the way I shot it today. Thats the way I always shoot the 135L and I was really just trying to see if I could replicate the same approach. The 135L always produced better results with center point only selected, for me.

Nice photo!

I am a prime shooter, and I too have and love the 135L, so when I needed a slightly longer lens I got the 200/2.8. It is a wonderful lens, and seems to be equal to the 135L, but it's harder to use somehow. Recently I got the 70-200/4IS too, to try out. My plan is to sell the one I like the least.

The 70-200 is actually quite impressive. It's nearly as sharp as the 200L at f/4 and has even better colors, and I like it's shorter MFD (minimal focus distance), so right now I'm leaning towards selling the 200L. It's a difficult decision though, so I will give it some more time. Maybe I'll end up keeping both...

The 135L seems to have nicer bokeh than both, but it's too early to say for sure.

Looks like a 200Lf2.8 shot to me. I have had my MK I version for 14 plus years and it has been a great lens.

I am still waiting for IS versions of the 135L and 200 f2.8 L. Do you think they will ever come?

wilsonprince wrote:

And I know I need to rake the leaves, it will be done before the holiday. This photo would have been a lot better with green grass to provide some contrast.


Wow! I never knew how much work there was associated with buying a new lens! I better stick with what I've got.........

Nice shot and congrats with your new glass

Bearmann wrote: Wow! I never knew how much work there was associated with buying a new lens! I better stick with what I've got.........

Well, I didn't. My 200/2.8 arrived yesterday.

Congrats! BIF no prob. shot w/ 2x Kenko wide open 30D

Thanks for all of your responses, so far I am happy to have bought the lens, and happy to be done with the decision over whether or not to buy it. Congrats Matuka, I hope you enjoy this one as well. I hope this one holds up for 14 years or more, what a great design to be so light and durable...

It looks like the 2x works nicely with this lens, but I'm sure it takes some practice/skills to pull it off like Trenchmonkey.

I have heard so much praise for the 70-200L f/4IS from people who like primes that I will have to check into it someday.

For now I like shooting primes and as far as the question about whether they'll make this lens or the 135L with IS, I'm sure they could, but I like the price point on this lens and the 135L...and wouldn't want to have to buy IS to have these primes. I'd bet the 70-200 f/2.8IS would be updated with improved IS and other improvements before these primes would be remodeled.

I'm looking forward to spending some more time shooting my 200L f/2.8 II. Take it easy,


Wilson