FSCanon EF 200mm f/1.8L USM, 1997 code

EDIT: relisted with new photos. Editing price so anyone watching gets a bump.

Priced to sell so I can try some other things out. This is a legendary lens, in excellent operational condition.

Canon's legendary fast 200mm, with some of the best bokeh around. Set your work apart with a truly stellar optic, or just try it because you're curious. This can handle sports on a modern mirrorless and takes fantastic portraits.

Illuminates 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. Not shooting sports as much now and would rather this lens continue to make lovely images.

The lens includes the caps (not pictured: the original branded leather cap, in good shape), 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 some shallow/light scratches on the front meniscus/protective element that seem par for the course with a lens of this age. I believe they are cleaning marks. 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, and I only noticed them when photographing the lens to sell. No cracks or dents, and never dropped as long as I've owned the lens (I've seen no signs of impact damage from before that time either). 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! The lens works great on R3 and R5, as well as GFX 100S. As a bonus, it's actually quite effective with modern IBIS, and I often got close to 4 stops of real-world correction with my R5. Relisting to allow bumps.

Feel free to PM or comment with questions!