Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM

• Specifications
• Reviews
• Sample Images
• Initial launch information.

Whilst easily overlooked, compared to the white image stabilised lenses, the 200/2.8 gives excellent image quality and is very solidly built. If this lens fits your photographic needs, look out for some used bargains.

Available from: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | B&H | Adorama

Lens specifications

Focal Length & Maximum Aperture	200mm 1:2.8
Lens Construction	9 elements in 7 groups
Diagonal Angle of View	12°
Focus Adjustment	Rear focusing system with USM
Closest Focusing Distance	1.5m / 4.9 ft.
Filter Size	72mm
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight	3.3" x 5.4", 1.7 lbs. / 83.2 x 136.2mm, 765g

A quick guide to MTF charts (which only measure contrast and resolution. Canon's guide to their MTF charts) Black lines reflect lens performance at widest aperture. Blue lines show the performance at f/8 Thick lines indicate lens contrast Thin lines indicate lens resolution Dashed lines: Lens performance with meridional lines. Solid lines: Lens performance with sagittal lines Closer sagittal and meridional chart lines indicate more 'natural' out of focus areas. Remember that MTF charts are good for comparing similar lenses, so comparing ones from the 14mm f2.8L and 300mm 2.8L won't tell you much at all, whilst comparing the EF14 2.8L with the EF14 2.8L II will show meaningful differences. Note that other manufacturers may have different ways of displaying such information that may or may not match up with the Canon figures.

EF 200mm lenses

Attribute	f/1.8L USM	f/2L IS USM	f/2.8L USM	f/2.8L II USM
Full-frame compatible	Yes
Image stabilizer	No	Yes	No
Ultrasonic Motor	Yes
L-series	Yes
Diffractive Optics	No
Macro	No
Aperture (max-min)	f/1.8-f/22	f/2.0-f/22	f/2.8-f/22
Construction	10 groups / 12 elements	12 groups / 17 elements	7 groups / 9 elements
Diaphragm blades	8
Closest focusing distance	2.5 Meters	1.9 Meters	1.5 Meters
Max. magnification	0.12	0.09	0.16	0.16
Horizontal viewing angle	10°
Diagonal viewing angle	12°
Vertical viewing angle	7°
Weight	6.61 lb / 3000g	5.55 lb / 2520g	1.74 lb / 790g	1.68 lb / 765g
Maximum diameter	5.11" / 130mm	5.03" / 128mm	3.26" / 83mm	3.27" / 83.2mm
Length	8.18" / 208mm		5.36" / 136.2mm
Filter diameter	48mm (drop-in)	52mm (drop-in)	72mm
Lens hood	ET-123	ET-120B	ET-86	ET-83BII
Case	-	LENS CASE 200	-	LP1222
Tripod Ring	Integrated	Integrated	Tripod Ring A (B)	Tripod Ring A (B)
Release date	November 1988	April 2008	December 1991	March 1996
Current	No	Yes	No	Yes

EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM reviews and articles

• Canon UK / US Information Page
• Amazon
• Northlight Images
• Canon CPN article
• Fred Miranda
• Lens Tip
• Digital Picture
• PhotoZone
• SLR Gear
• Lens Review
• ePhotozine

Written a review? Contact us and we'll add it to the list.

Sample images

None available at present.

Product launch

No information available on the 1996 launch of this lens.