Pinched one of the new 200 F2's from CPS (Australia) the other day to give it a run and see if there's a place for it in my bag.

I don't use long lenses in my work much - the 135 and 85's have been my most regular since getting the DsIII's so I didn't really know what to expect.

Well, I think I'm going to change the way I shoot from now on and if the subject is closer then 2 meters I'm not interested - very impressive lens IMO, mine arrives on friday !

Some frames hand held @f2 - 160/250 ISO default CS3 sharpening.



Detail from above -

Thanks for the samples. Looks incredible, and the bokeh!

It's "bokeh" and, yes, the examples are wonderful.

I think "brokeh" refers to the cost of such outstanding OOF performance

I still miss my 200 f1.8L a lot. Best lens I ever owned.

This new model is now my favorite lens for sure !

I'm trying it out with the 1.4 extender and a 12mm tube later today or tomorrow and will post some more shots.

Thank you for the correction, I've fixed the post. I find it incredible that this is the first time that I've been corrected.

Thanks a ton!

Is there some problem with my eyesight? I find the bokeh too busy in these shots. Can't say I'm impressed judging solely by the above shots. Have seen much better bokeh samples from the Nikon 200 F2.0 lens but haven't looked at other sample photos from the Canon.

I agree, the OOF highlights are hard-edged and eliptical.

Hmm, I guess I hadn't looked at it in that much detail..

Perhaps you'd prefer this lens. Very creamy-soft bokeh. Very controllable.

You don't have to use a special soft focus or 'bokeh control' lens to get creamy backgrounds. Both the Nikon AF-D 85 1.4 and the 200 2.0 prove so. This Sony lens (I believe it's an old Minolta design) is interesting though. Nikon's portrait (DC) lenses work by modifying spherical aberration I think.

Your really can't say what you wrote for sure until you shoot the same exact compositions, and side by side with the Nikon 200mm.

Your comments come off too fanboy, and lack objectivity, to be sure.

It would be far better for you or someone to have a shoot out with both lenses, shooting the same exact compositions.

Step 1 Go back read my post again. I was referring to the pics posted and the comments about great bokeh.

Step 2 Check all my other posts in this site. Do I come off as a fanboy?

Step 3 Bugger off to dpr

I am familiar with the old 200/1.8 (I used mine a lot, while I still had the energy to carry it around).

These images have pretty bad bokeh. Maybe a comparison of the new and old design would show optical differences. Or maybe the photographer stopped the lens down ? I seem to remember that the sweet aprture is F4.

In the mean time, I'm keeping my old model.

Edmund

Those are all at F2.

I didn't buy it's 'bokeh' as much as it's max aperture and length, it should make getting tighter live shots in crap light a little bit easier than the 70-200 2.8.

It's also done it's first day on the set of a TVC and was awesome for picking off 3/4 lengths without getting in the way of the film crew.

My issue with my own lens is just size. The Leica 200 (or is it 180) is tiny, and has a pull-out hood.

Edmund

I too find the bokeh rather harsh in the third and the fourth shot. I have the 200mm f/2.8L; it's bokeh is more pleasing for my taste.

I have a collection of bokeh examples with seven different lenses at http://www.panopeeper.com/Bokeh/ among others with the 200mm f/2.8L as well.

Much of the harshness may be from the very light, blown out background. Panopeeper's background examples are light but they still have color, so they aren't nearly as challenging.

Dave Chew

This image is not going to be helpful in the Bokeh discussion, but this is what I use my 200IS for.

I have used the EF 200/1.8 as well as the 200VR from Nikon and I find the lenses all very pleasing.

Yes, the problem is with the composition, specifically the (poor) choice of background. IMO, this is primarily visible in the first picture.

How we choose to compose our images have significant effect on how a lens appears to perform.

Hehe, here is what I used my 200/1.8 for. Two different shows, obviously, left is Dior (look for the dice).


edmund

Bloody kids, they can't even choose a background !

Edmund, that girl forgot to zip up her dress..

(not that I have a problem with it )

I stand corrected, those kids are very promising photographers.