Prime EF 200mm f/2.8L II or RF 70-200mm f/2.8L which is sharper across FOV and less aberrations

migEOSRP — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 13:47:59 GMT

I currently have a new Canon EOS RP camera body and so far, have only one new lens .. a fully manual Rokinon 135mm f/2 mainly for astro .. it works very nicely for both astro and regular photography. I ordered a used Canon prime EF 200mm f/2.8 but it had internal spots so returned it.

I'd like to get ONE really good Canon RF L camera lens only and I think the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L (expensive) will suit my needs in terms of speed and f range. (I don't need the more expensive Z model just for tele-converter capability as I have other devices for longer range photography). But I'd like to know how sharp and optically good the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L is, specifically at 200mm compared to the older EF 200mm prime. If anyone has direct experience with these two lenses, specifically star shots, please let me know what you think. If I could find a used Canon EF 200mm f2.8 prime in REALLY good condition (lots available but almost impossible to fairly judge the actual quality), I'd likely get that one plus a Canon RF L shorter range L zoom lens.

Re: Prime EF 200mm f/2.8L II or RF 70-200mm f/2.8L which is sharper across FOV and less aberrations

Waddizzle — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 12:24:07 GMT

The Mark II versions of EF L lenses perform much better than their predecessors. The EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM is a very sharp lens, I never owned the original, but all remarks point to the successors as being noticeably sharper.

topic Prime EF 200mm f/2.8L II or RF 70-200mm f/2.8L which is sharper across FOV and less aberrations in Gear Guide

Prime EF 200mm f/2.8L II or RF 70-200mm f/2.8L which is sharper across FOV and less aberrations

Re: Prime EF 200mm f/2.8L II or RF 70-200mm f/2.8L which is sharper across FOV and less aberrations