Why no love for the prime pipe? (200 f2.8)

[coastalconn]

I never see anyone talk about this lens in any of the forums these days. I got one awhile ago, mostly based on photozone.de review. I guess everyone wants a zoom with IS these days? In case anyone is looking for a long sharp portrait lens and is on a serious budget you should check it out. I got a first version one for about $300 on the bay. Talk about a hidden gem. Anyone else have one in the bag?

 

[tirediron]

That looks like a cool piece of glass; I wish Nikon make one. The 200mm f2 is a gorgeous hunk of glass, but it is big, heavy and EXPENSIVE!

 

[coastalconn]

That looks like a cool piece of glass; I wish Nikon make one. The 200mm f2 is a gorgeous hunk of glass, but it is big, heavy and EXPENSIVE!

Those 200 F2's are impressive. The Canon 200 F1.8 (long discontinued) looks pretty wild too.

 

[spiralout462]

It looks very nice! I'm saving up for more reach, however I guess this one could handle a T.C. rather well.

 

[coastalconn]

It looks very nice! I'm saving up for more reach, however I guess this one could handle a T.C. rather well.

I only have a 1.4x so I haven't really tried it because I have been getting so close to the hawks. In general I'm not a huge fan of extenders anyways. Here is what I have been getting without the 1.4x. Some on the 1D4, some on the 7dm2 and some like the gulls and kittty were just test shots.. Canon 200 F2.8 Prime Pipe

 

[spiralout462]

Thanks for sharing. I'm watching one right now. I have looked at them in the past but convinced myself I needed more reach. I don't know how you make it look so easy !

 

[coastalconn]

Thanks for sharing. I'm watching one right now. I have looked at them in the past but convinced myself I needed more reach. I don't know how you make it look so easy !

For most it would probably not be enough reach for birds. I just happen to have a few unique hawks in the area (1 at a golf course and 2 at a state park) that ignore humans. I just wanted to start this thread because people might not be aware of it. Not many prime "l" lenses you can get for under $400 and it's not white!

 

[gsgary]

I had one and it was brilliant

 

[spiralout462]

Is there much difference between version 1 and version II? The one I had my eye on just sold to a lucky bidder. There are a couple more under $500 but they are not without blemishes.

 

[Derrel]

The prime pipe? OMG--you have resurrected a Canon nickname that was first used in the early 2000's, and ONLY on the internet!!! Funny stuff! Gotta love your throwback lingo!

Yes... f/2.8 zoom lenses kind of killed the interest in the fast 180mm or 200mm f/2.8 field telephoto category.

 

[dxqcanada]

I've always like the fast middle primes. Physical size is just right ... not too big ... not too small.
I had a Canon FD 200mm f/2.8, and almost never took it off my F-1n.

One day I might get the Minolta 200mm f/2.8 with matching teleconverters instead of a zoom ... maybe.
Minolta AF 200mm f/2.8 APO G HS - Review / Lab Test
Not pipe-like.

 

[coastalconn]

Is there much difference between version 1 and version II? The one I had my eye on just sold to a lucky bidder. There are a couple more under $500 but they are not without blemishes.

AFAIK Version 1 has the built in lens hood and version 2 has a screw on. I personally like the built in hood because I use it as a pocket lens when I'm chasing hawks and I can't loose it. Optically they are supposedly the same...

The prime pipe? OMG--you have resurrected a Canon nickname that was first used in the early 2000's, and ONLY on the internet!!! Funny stuff! Gotta love your throwback lingo!
.

At one point I was looking at the "Magic Pipe" and googled lens nicknames... Personal favorite is "Eye of Sauron"

One day I might get the Minolta 200mm f/2.8 with matching teleconverters instead of a zoom ... maybe.
Minolta AF 200mm f/2.8 APO G HS - Review / Lab Test
Not pipe-like.

Looks pretty sweet!

 

[dxqcanada]

Yeah, I was bouncing between that and the Minolta 80-200mm f/2.8 ... but it appears that too many Sony shooters like the 200mm, so the price is higher when you include the teleconverters.
$300 for the Canon is a nice price ... wish I could get the Minolta for that price.

 

[spiralout462]

.[/QUOTE]
At one point I was looking at the "Magic Pipe" and googled lens nicknames... Personal favorite is "Eye of Sauron" [/QUOTE]


LoL!! I think it's the ef 80-200 f2.8 that gets the moniker "Magic Drainpipe". It looks like another "L" series lens that it an excellent value. Too cool!

 

[dxqcanada]

Tokina lenses tend to look drain-pipe-like.