topic Re: Comparison in EF & RF Lenses

Comparison

A1original — Mon, 04 May 2015 13:59:50 GMT

Just thought that I would ask: Has anyone had personal experience using/owning the Canon 70~200mm f/2.8 USM II lens and the older Canon 200mm f.2.8 prime lens. I have rented the zoom and was impressed with the image quality, but the physical size and weight were extreme for carrying around an event all day. I haven't rented the prime lens yet but I'm interested to see if the image quality is comparable.

Re: Comparison

ebiggs1 — Mon, 04 May 2015 14:21:06 GMT

Let me put it this way, I am not a big fan of the EF 200mm f2.8. I am a huge fan of the EF 70-200mm f2.8L IS II.

As a matter of fact I believe it to be the best lens on the planet. So that is where I am coming from just so you know. The very last lens to leave my hands, when time comes, will be the EF 70-200mm f2.8L IS II. It is that good.

It is probably twice as heavy as the prime 200mm. But the EF 70-200mm f2.8L IS II is better in every other aspect. Even in sharpness, IQ, CA, etc.

Re: Comparison

A1original — Tue, 05 May 2015 12:30:39 GMT

ebiggs1,thanks for the reply. I quess no one else has any experience with the 200 prime. I guess I will rent one to see for myself. Like I said, the only thing that concerns me is the size, weight, and color of the zoom. I have to agree with you, the IQ of the lens is superb.

Re: Comparison

RobertTheFat — Tue, 05 May 2015 12:53:20 GMT

@A1original wrote:
ebiggs1,thanks for the reply. I quess no one else has any experience with the 200 prime. I guess I will rent one to see for myself. Like I said, the only thing that concerns me is the size, weight, and color of the zoom. I have to agree with you, the IQ of the lens is superb.

Don't sneer at the color. A large black lens on a bright sunny day can generate a lot of heat. Heat makes metal parts expand, and that in turn can cause relative motion of lens elements, which can't be a good thing. It can easily be argued that light-colored lenses are inherently better.

Re: Comparison

A1original — Tue, 05 May 2015 13:05:30 GMT

Thanks Bob, not really sneering at the color. It's just a little less intimidating to a lot of people. I do believe that Canon made this lens white just for the reason you bring up. I also think the black lens could be , should I say, snuck into some places the big white lens would be spotted.

Re: Comparison

ebiggs1 — Tue, 05 May 2015 13:37:47 GMT

Of course the results or product that each lens prodices is up to the user. But the tests, and I do a lot of my own, shows a pretty substantial increase in sharpness with the 70-200mm f2.8L II over the prime. For instance on my 1Ds Mk III, it gives 4 more preceptual Mpix than the 200mm prime does. If that is important to you, it is a BIG DEAL.

Re: Comparison

Peter — Thu, 14 May 2015 10:39:42 GMT

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=687&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=3&API=0&LensComp=245&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

I could only find the 200/2,8 II and not the 200/2,8.

Re: Comparison

TCampbell — Fri, 15 May 2015 02:13:11 GMT

I have the original EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM (not the "II") and do not own the 200mm f/2.8 (but do own the 300mm f/2.8L IS USM).

f/2.8 telephoto lenses are all heavy (all f/2.8 lenses are heavier than their higher focal-ratio counterparts). This is because in order to achieve a lower focal ratio (larger aperture opening) the whole lens needs a physically wider diameter. That translates into larger glass elements... which translates into "thicker" glass elements, which results in stronger CA issues, which then requires exotic low-dispersion "glass" and more "corrective" elements to reduce/elminate the CA. All that adds up to more weight, more weight, and more weight. So they are heavy lenses... by definition -- but we sure do love the results these lenses can achieve!

Whenver anyone mentions the "weight" issue, I immediately translate that to "comfort". I didn't like my heavy body and heavy lenses when I had the traditional "neck" strap. But I switched to a "sling" strap and that made a HUGE difference. Having the strap on your opposite shoulder instead of around your neck makes a really big difference with respect to comfrot. Suddenly the same amount of weight doesn't seem so heavy anymore.

I happen to use a Black Rapid strape, but there are lots of options on the market.