Lustworthy: Canon’s New 200mm f/2 IS

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I just read the news of Canon’s latest two super telephoto lenses, the EF 200mm f/2L IS USM and the EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM. Both lenses will be shown off by Canon at PhotoPlus Expo from October 18 to 20.

I’ve been watching in the past few weeks as the old discontinued Canon EF 200 f/1.8 lens has been selling for upwards of $5000. The f/1.8 lens was discontinued due to a lack in popularity - it became uneconomical for Canon to continue producing it.

I have a feeling the new 200mm super telephoto from Canon will slightly kill the market for used f/1.8 versions. Expect to see a few put up for sale over the next few months, I’m expecting to see a steady price drop of the unit gradually falling to around the $3500 mark.

Not enough sales to keep the production running or may be it had to do with the by-products generated during the manufacturing since some of the elements contained lead (as in Pb, a heavy metal)?

Since it contained lead, the by-products (read: waste) will have to be contained and handled appropriately as it may harm the environment. Regardless, this lens has increased in value after it has been discontinued.

The 200mm f/2 IS looks the ticket for low light sports photographers, or event photographers who are constantly shooting in dimly lit halls like Duncan Davidson. It’s already playing in my mind if he’ll purchase this and have it take over the majority of his workload the 70-200 cops week in week out.

The pricing for the 200mm f/2 IS is currently speculated by POTN forum members at around $3500 USD - sitting just below the price of the 300mm f/2.8 IS. However we won’t know this officially for a while.

One thing we do know is this lens will be worth waiting for if it’s anything close in IQ to the f/1.8. Lustworthy is the way to put it.

Comments

  1. #1

    John

    I’m expecting to see a steady price drop of the unit gradually falling to around the $3500 mark

    Does this conjecture have some basis, or do you just make it up as you go?

  2. #2

    Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com

    I’m expecting to see a steady price drop of the unit gradually falling to around the $3500 mark

    Does this conjecture have some basis, or do you just make it up as you go?

    It’s a personal opinion. If the f/2 IS hits the line at $4000, I’m not expecting the f/1.8 to fall much under this due to the speed freaks who’d pay a top dollar for a faster aperture. No one can have total basis for such an assumption, though some can have opinion - do you have a problem with mine?

  3. #3

    Blair Beckwith

    It looks like a beautiful lens… This all looks so amazing, I wanna get started in Photography.

    I dunno about other people, but if you wrote an up-to-date article on Beginning Photography, outlining very basic terms, equipment, techniques, etc., I would read it in an instant.

  4. #4

    Alex → www.makesitgood.net

    The 200mm f1.8 is legendary, but it would not surprise me if this lens tops it. Canon has gotten very good at 200mm. With four variants of the 70-200 currently on the market, and the 200mm f2.8, they’ve been here before and know what they’re doing!

    IS at 200mm is wonderful. I can’t speak for all event photographers, but when I’m in a large hall, if the 70-200 is on my camera, then I am at 200mm. I bet you’ll see a large number of 70-200mm f2.8 IS surge into the used market as well.

  5. #5

    Dustin → www.dustincook.ca

    I dunno about other people, but if you wrote an up-to-date article on Beginning Photography, outlining very basic terms, equipment, techniques, etc., I would read it in an instant.

    No offense at all meant to you Glenn, I love photography and some of your shots are great but I’m not sure you’re ‘qualified’ per say to write such an article…I mean there would be nothing stopping you but…

  6. #6

    Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com

    I dunno about other people, but if you wrote an up-to-date article on Beginning Photography, outlining very basic terms, equipment, techniques, etc., I would read it in an instant.

    No offense at all meant to you Glenn, I love photography and some of your shots are great but I’m not sure you’re ‘qualified’ per say to write such an article…I mean there would be nothing stopping you but…

    I don’t know exactly how you made that assumption as you don’t know me personally ;-) I’m sure I could write this series. I feel confident enough in knowledge to put such a series together. I’ve been living and breathing photography for the past 6 months in my spare time. I may not be ‘qualified’ as such but it doesn’t mean I’m not at all knowledgeable on the topic.

  7. #7

    Timothy Neilen → tjnphotography.com

    I bet you’ll see a large number of 70-200mm f2.8 IS surge into the used market as well.

    Let’s hope so — I need to pick me up one of them. As well as a 24-70.. oh, I can dream!

  8. #8

    Alex → www.makesitgood.net

    Dustin,

    What qualifies someone to write “an up-to-date article on Beginning Photography, outlining very basic terms, equipment, techniques, etc., ” ?

    I would think being a photography beginner, knowing very basic terms, equipment, and techniques would be the requirements.

  9. #9

    Dustin → www.dustincook.ca

    Hehe, I knew that comment would spark something.

    *Usually* someone who writes about beginner photography is someone who is an experienced photographer with an extensive portfolio who can look back on how they started out in the world of photography and give advice based on their own experiences.

    Just my view on the topic.

  10. #10

    Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com

    Hehe, I knew that comment would spark something.

    *Usually* someone who writes about beginner photography is someone who is an experienced photographer with an extensive portfolio who can look back on how they started out in the world of photography and give advice based on their own experiences.

    Just my view on the topic.

    And I don’t have experiences? I’ve been shooting for just on two years, and have licked up a lot over this time. I can look at old images and see mistakes. Seen shots where the DOF was too shallow, shots were the perspective could have been changed completely by moving two steps, shots which my ISO was off by one notch which would have made them “the shot.” I have learned from my limited experience.

  11. #11

    Dustin → www.dustincook.ca

    I’d rather discuss this on iChat than here..

  12. #12

    Emma → www.article19.co.uk

    I think the whole point of personal blogs is so folks can write about whatever they wish. The beginner photographer can offer the perspective from the beginners point of view. In the field of photography there are many in such a position and will, perhaps, appreciate the advice coming from someone in the same position they are.

    I’m a professional photog (in that I get paid to do it) but I don’t consider offering opinions on kit, pricing, suitability of lenses or camera bodies to be the exclusive domain of the ‘pro’ photographer.

    In my own view the 200mm fixed prime above will find its place but I don’t think it would be a good replacement for a 70-200 f2.8 for the simple reason it’s not a variable focal length which is ideal for photojournalists and event photogs.

    It’s lower weight and price and coupling it with a 2x extender will make it a good choice for those that need a prime but can’t afford a 400mm prime.

    keep up the writing.

  13. #13

    Blair Beckwith

    And I don’t have experiences? I’ve been shooting for just on two years, and have licked up a lot over this time. I can look at old images and see mistakes. Seen shots where the DOF was too shallow, shots were the perspective could have been changed completely by moving two steps, shots which my ISO was off by one notch which would have made them “the shot.” I have learned from my limited experience.

    Anyways, if you choose to do it, I look forward to reading it. Any anyways, why ask an older photographer to look back to try to remember how he started, etc., when it is still fresh in Glenn’s mind?

  14. #14

    Jon → www.theappleofmyi.com/blog

    A truly awesome lens (puts credit card out of site right now) ;-)

    Hope all is well Glenn, speak soon, you will love some of the photos from the Nurburgring!

    Jon

  15. #15

    EDIT-XTREEM → iappblog.com

    That is HUGE! any sample pics with it?

  16. #16

    Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com

    That is HUGE! any sample pics with it?

    Not just yet, the first units hit the streets in March 08 :-)

  17. #17

    Darren Abate → darren.uber.com

    As a pro sports photographer (mostly hockey), I’ll be doing the pee-pee dance until the 200/2 finally comes out, and when it does, I would go so far as to beat a nun with a dead squirrel to get one in the first batch.

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