p.1 #1 · Withdrawn: Canon EF 200mm f/1.8L (Eye of Sauron) $2275
EF 200mm f/1.8L USM
Withdrawn
Price: $2,265.00 Payment method: PayPal Item condition: 8+ Shows moderate wear or finish marks Shipping instructions: Price includes PayPal fees and insured CONUS ground shipping
Withdrawing to re-list.
Canon's legendary fast 200mm, with some of the best bokeh around, even today. Covers even the Fuji GFX 44x33mm medium format sensor quite well, and optics are in good shape overall. Lens is surprisingly sharp given its age, even wide open, and gets even better stopped down to f/2. Mechanics are excellent, with paint surprisingly clean for the lens's age. I've had no issues with autofocus or general handling. A clean enough copy to be happy with the results, but not so flawless that it will live on a shelf.
The lens has an L date code, corresponding to 1997 as I understand it. I couldn't find a clear source to confirm, but I believe that makes this the unofficial version II of the lens, with some updated parts.
I've had the privilege of using this lens since 2019, but it's time for it to go to a new home.
The lens includes the caps, case with keys, original strap (attached to lens), and hood, in addition to the installed RRS foot and the slightly worn OEM foot (90% of paint is intact, not pictured). Included also (but not pictured) is a white LensCoat (which is tearing a bit at some of the edges after continuous use for almost 7 years).
The lens does have a scuff and some light scratches on the front meniscus that seem par for the course with a lens of this age. I've exaggerated them in the photos as much as I could, in the interest of full transparency. I've never had a problem with them in real world shooting. No cracks or dents, and never dropped as long as I've owned the lens. Some mild wear/coating marks on the rear filter glass, but it's never been an issue for me.
The lens also has two notable quirks that haven't changed significantly since I've owned it.
First, there is a small amount of play in the barrel around the midpoint, maybe 2 degrees. I contacted a San Diego repair shop maybe 5 or so years ago and they suggested an internal screw might be loose, but it didn't impact the lens for my work. I have not noticed it getting any worse since I got the lens; I bought it without that disclosure and it never proved an issue for me.
Second, the front rubber surrounding the front element is somewhat loose. I bought the lens covered in ugly gaffer tape, and I peeled it off 2 years ago to see if I preferred it without. Long story short, it's better with the tape (hood stays better and rubber ring doesn't get dislodged). I tried to tape it as neatly as I could.
Please let me know if you have any questions! I will attach sample photos from sports and portrait shoots below, because I know there's less out there on using this lens on modern bodies. But works great on R3 and R5, as well as GFX 100S.
p.1 #2 · Withdrawn: Canon EF 200mm f/1.8L (Eye of Sauron) $2275
Attached are sports and portrait images, plus a full GFX frame showing the unique mid-range bokeh potential of a ~160mm f/1.4 equivalent lens. The cropped volleyball photo is a deep crop, close to 1:1 on the R5.
Canon EOS R3EF200mm f/1.8L USM lens200mmf/1.81/2000s3200 ISO0.0 EV
Canon EOS 5D Mark IVEF200mm f/1.8L USM lens200mmf/2.01/800s250 ISO0.0 EV
Canon EOS 5D Mark IVEF200mm f/1.8L USM lens200mmf/1.81/1000s500 ISO+0.3 EV
Canon EOS 5D Mark IVEF200mm f/1.8L USM lens200mmf/2.01/8000s100 ISO-0.3 EV
Canon EOS R5EF200mm f/1.8L USM lens200mmf/2.21/2000s3200 ISO0.0 EV
Canon EOS R5EF200mm f/1.8L USM lens200mmf/2.01/5000s160 ISO0.0 EV
Canon EOS R5EF200mm f/1.8L USM lens200mmf/2.01/5000s200 ISO0.0 EV
GFX100SCanon EF 200mm f/1.8L USM lens200mmf/1.81/3500s200 ISO0.0 EV
p.1 #3 · Withdrawn: Canon EF 200mm f/1.8L (Eye of Sauron) $2275
Bump! Price drop to $2299, but can't update the field without the photos being removed from the listing since my membership expired. Please feel free to ask any questions or make an offer!
EF 200mm f/1.8L USM
