catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

I pick up the "Beast" they call it next week from Autorama. I have relied on the 300 F/2.8 with great results but want to be a bit more creative and generally reduce the distance in several types of photography I do.

I am excited to here from anyone with good experiences with this lens. The price is large but I think it will be one of my most useful lenses.

I attached an example of the 300 I use now but I understand the creaminess of the 2.0 going to be improved. I will post a few results next week...

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CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The primary advocate of the 200 f/2L is SharpShooter. I personally haven't shot with the 200, but I've never seen an image from the lens that was less than spectacular.

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

I love the New York Yankees cap. The only baseball team to watch!

Haydon

Not meaning to correct you CHG but SS is the advocate of the now defunct, no longer can find parts 200 F1.8. The 200 F2.0 came close ending in my collection a few years back. Canon Refurbished had 1 in stock at a (once in a lifetime 15% off - they usually don't discount that lens in sales) at $3899.00. I still grumble letting that opportunity go. As you mentioned the OOF areas and subject isolation is purely magical.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

How right you are. I could vaguely remember some of his comments and obviously had forgotten the specifics of the model. But nothing about the older model detracts from the wonders of the current f/2 model.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

You're gonna love the Canon EF 200mm f/2LS IS ! It's a fantastic lens. I've only used it a little (never owned it), but it's at least as good as the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS that I have used for years, which is another incredible lens... not sure which of the 300mm you're using, but you've got the idea. You'll see similar "obliteration" of backgrounds into creamy blurs, but closer working distances and less compression effect with the shorter lens.

Photocraig

I used this lens at a Conon Workshop at Pr. Reyes National Seashore. After using "kit" lenses, the brightness of the f 2.0 Max. Aperture, in my viewfinder was astounding. I quickly commandeered it for "my turn" and relinquished it to the long line of attendees behind me. At a workshop led and staffed by an excellent "Explorer of Light," and great Canon Staff, the 200 f2.0 was the outstanding star of the Workshop. It even out ranked the spectacular location as the most commented about part of the workshop. I tried to hold my head erect and not slink away after I inquired about the price.

Because of this lens, I discovered a sub-genre of the mini or extracted landscape. The picture or scene within a scene. It is why I carry my 70-300 on every landscape outing. And nice shaded mini landscapes can provide the opportunities, along with MACRO, when the sun is high and strong in mid day.
C

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

Great input and thank you all...

I can not say enough good about the 300mm f/2.8 L is series I. I am sure the 200 will make life much easier and then some...

Great story on the workshop... the best place to gain knowledge from others!

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Catchlight, yes, I felt my ears burning, so had to look!!! LoL
The 200 is a wonderful lens with very special uses. From sports to portraits it's capable of producing very special results.
What makes it very good to work with is getting very shallow DoF's but NOT having to be right on top of the subject to do it. Any 1.4 50 gets shallower DoF but NOT at 10 feet!!
I also found it almost impossible to use without a handle. I use mine for hours at a time and yes, it does get heavy, so not for the 4/3 guys.
I do use the 1.8, I got it before the f2 came out and maybe some day I'll swap it out, but in no hurry since it does have that 1/4 stop or whatever advantage.
Since There are no normal filters made for these lenses I'm gonna get a cheap, used, high quality ND filter and grind it down to fit the drop-in holder to use the lens wide open on very bright days when 1/8000 just isn't fast enough!!
The mkll should be a little lighter and sharper as well. The 1.8 is sharper than my 70-200 as per my comparisons. AND the f2 should be EXTREMELY sharp wide open. I've never used support with it since it makes such an amazing special run-around lens. That's right, don't walk-around with this lens..., run!!! LoL
Though not the same exact lens, Im glad to answer any questions. Someone else here has the mkll. Like Pappy or someone.
A couple of sample shots:

SOOC, f1.8, maybe 10 feet away.

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shot in pouring rain with no rain sleeve, maybe 50 feet, f2.0

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At night with very poor light, 50 feet, f1.8(exif)

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Homemade wood handle, never gets slippery when wet!!!

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f2.5, about 6 feet

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Morte sports, f1.8

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