200 f2L IS

I just acquired this lens and I have to say that I already love it. It's tack sharp at f2. This is a handheld shot from this evening. Its a cold gray day here so the lighting isn't the best.

1DsMKIII
Manual

200mm f2L IS

handheld

1/60
f2
ISO 100

I'm sure it's a fabulous lens Michael; congrats on the new purchase! One has to wonder though why the 2 big lens announcements from Canon this year were a $5,000 200mm f/2 and a $12,000 800mm f/5.6; both are highly specialized lenses with limited appeal and marketability. Where were the revamped 100-400, new 200-400, and 400 f/5.6 IS.

Who knows what Canon was thinking (or if they were thinking :) ) I'm probably a lens snob LOL... I like all, or at least most, of their primes and very, very few of their zooms... so I'm not too bothered by their announcements (or lack of) this year. I am more disappointed in their camera offerings than anything else. Nikon moved into the #1 and #2 slot this year and deservedly so (not enough to make me switch but they did good for their supporters and I'm very glad to see that). The 5D MKII sounds like a winner... the 50D.... eh... not excited about it but it's a decent camera. From what I saw it's too slow to focus for action / wildlife work (just my opinion... and that has as much value as the paper its not written on LOL)

It was a toss up between the 200 f2 and the 800 f5.6... the 200 won because it's a tad more versatile (for me), sharp as a tack, and at 50%-ish the cost of the 800 it was definitely more attractive :D BTW- B&H has the 200 f2 for less than $5k now. If I remember right the 800 f5.6 is $10.5k...

Michael,
Congrats on the purchase. I bought this lens soon after it came out so I could help my wife shoot weddings. She uses a Nikon 200/2 for a large portion of her wedding work and always raved about the Nikon so I sprung for the Canon when it came out. It's a spectacular lens and I use it all the time. Many people think it's a specialty lens but I have found it extremely versatile. I use it and the the 85/1.2 for most of my shooting when I help her with weddings and also use it a lot when I shoot detail shots of motorcycles in and out of the studio. It's also a superb portrait lens and I'm beginning to use it more for nature shots, much like the one you posted. I think you'll find it has a lot more uses than people think and the quality of the pics will make you want to use it more. Two of our friends who shoot Canon bought the lens after seeing the images from mine. You'll love it.

Congrats on the glass.

I see a lot of them and the old 200 1.8L lens courtside at the Miami Heat games. Must be amazing to use for indoor sports.

Yeah that 200 is great for sports. I know a lot of guys who use it for that.