Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM

Canon · EF

EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM

Released March 1996

A 200 mm f/2.8 L-series telephoto prime for Canon EF cameras, with rear focusing, two UD elements and a detachable hood.

Mount
Canon EF
Focal length
200 mm
Max aperture
f/2.8
Stabilisation
No
Weight
765 g

What reviewers say

Both tests praise sharpness, contrast, fast autofocus and solid construction in a compact telephoto. The Digital Picture finds strong sharpness across the frame at f/2.8; Photozone finds the corners improve when stopped down. Photozone also notes out-of-focus fringing and angular highlights at smaller apertures. Both identify absent weather sealing, while zooms offer greater flexibility.

From the-digital-picture.com, photozone.de, photozone.de and photozone.de

Optics

Lens type
Prime
Focal length
200 mm
Maximum aperture
f/2.8
Minimum aperture
f/32
Optical construction
Nine elements in seven groups
Special elements
Two UD glass elements according to Canon Camera Museum
Diaphragm
Eight blades
Angle of view
12° diagonal, 10° horizontal and 7° vertical

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Canon EF
Image circle
Full frame
Compatibility
Canon EF full-frame and APS-C cameras
Teleconverter support
Canon's manual lists EF 1.4X II for 280 mm f/4 and EF 2X II for 400 mm f/5.6

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
1.5 m
Maximum magnification
0.16×
Optical stabilisation
No
Autofocus detail
Ring USM with mechanical full-time manual focus; Canon's manual permits adjustment after One Shot AF while holding the shutter button halfway
Focus distance detail
Closest focus 1.5 m; limiter settings 1.5 m to infinity or 3.5 m to infinity according to Canon's manual
Magnification detail
EF12 II extension tube gives 0.06–0.23×; EF25 II gives 0.14–0.32× according to Canon UK
Stabilisation detail
No image stabilisation according to The Digital Picture

Design

Dust and moisture resistant
No
Filter diameter
72 mm
Maximum diameter
83.2 mm
Length
136.2 mm
Weight
765 g
Weather resistance
No weather sealing according to The Digital Picture and Photozone
Dimensions detail
83.2 mm diameter × 136.2 mm length; Canon's manual measures length from the mount surface to the front, with caps adding 21.5 mm for E-72U or 24.2 mm for E-72II
Weight detail
765 g for the lens only according to Canon's manual
Tripod mount
Optional Tripod Mount Ring A II (B) according to Canon's manual
Lens hood
Detachable ET-83BII hood; reversible for storage according to Canon's manual
In the box
The Digital Picture's reviewed lens included the ET-83BII hood and LP1222 pouch
Release detail
Canon Camera Museum records March 1996 marketing for the II version

Pros and cons

Pros

  • f/2.8 maximum aperture
  • Full-time manual focus
  • Compatible with Canon EF extenders

Cons

  • No image stabilisation
  • No weather sealing
  • 1.5 m closest focus

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Canon EF200 mmf/2.8–790 gDec 1991
Canon EF135 mmf/2No750 gApr 1996
Canon EF100 mmf/2.8No600 gMar 2000

Sources

  1. canon.co.uk/lenses/ef-200mm-f-2-8l-ii-usm-lens/specification.html
  2. global.canon/en/c-museum/product/ef333.html
  3. pdisp01.c-wss.com/gdl/WWUFORedirectTarget.do
  4. the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-200mm-f-2.8-L-II-USM-Lens-Review.aspx
  5. photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/580-canon_200_28_ff
  6. photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/580-canon_200_28_ff
  7. photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/580-canon_200_28_ff

Photo: global.canon

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