Just spent day 1 of 3 with the 200 1.8

[Adam Hicks]

And no I won't embedd any images and annoy those on dial-up, but WHAT A LENS. Fast, ridiculously sharp (even with a Canon 1.4x TC) and Holy Bokeh Batman! We don't need no stinkin' backgrounds!

This should be just what the doctor ordered for this weekend's Rodeo finals. Now if they can figure out how to make a Carbon Fiber version :lol:

For the folks on here who have this lens, is the lens shade supposed to be a little loose, so that it can spin around in place? This one is and seems to be the way it's made.

Thanks,
Adam

[CyberDyneSystems]

Adam,

It is SWEET isn't it? :)
(and ridiculously heavy!)

Post some images in the "share" section and link us up man!
We don't get to see examples from this lens here often :)

As for the hood,. it is quite simply the poorest lens hood design in "Super Duper Expensive Lens" history.. and no,. it isn't supposed to do that,. but yes,. it allways does! :mad: unless you have a bradn new never been used one

[Adam Hicks]

Well this is the boring shot of the dog in the back yard, tomorrow is when the real action happens, but the bokeh is oh so nice. You don't even have to try :)

http://www.golilm.com/images/200_1.8/zoe_200_1.8.jpg

[pcasciola]

I can't wait to see some shots Adam.

Day 1 of 3? Did you rent it for the weekend?

[pcasciola]

Well this is the boring shot of the dog in the back yardNothing boring about that. WOW, what a lens!!!

[Scottes]

Well this is the boring shot of the dog in the back yard, tomorrow is when the real action happens, but the bokeh is oh so nice.

That's not bokeh, it's cream.

[Persian-Rice]

Awsome, but I guess there is a reason it costs the same as a mint used 98 Honda Civic.

[Adam Hicks]

As a reply to the rental comment above, amazingly enough the rental place is VERY cool about weekends. They charge you for ONE day! So I picked it up Friday morning, and I have it until Monday afternoon, for $35. Plus $5 for a 1.4TC (280mm 2.5) so $40 for 3+ days of use. I can use the thing 80 times (240 days) and still save money vs. buying one :)

The rental facility has just about every lens Canon makes, all the way up to the 600mm f4. TSE lenses, L Macros, all kinds of goodies that you always wanted to play with / or only need once in a while. I think the price is more than fair. They also rent studios and any kind of lighting you could want, generators, backdrops, medium formats, you name it.

Hopefully I'll have some nice shots to show you guys tomorrow night.

Adam

[RockOne]

NICE !...You are taking a risk renting that..might not wan't to give it back :-) :-) !

[CyberDyneSystems]

That pic is sweet!

[Radtech1]

Is this lens no longer a part of the Canon lineup? I could not find it on thier web page.

[Adam Hicks]

Unfortunately for many, the lens was discontinued. It's so fast and so sharp it's a shame it's gone. There's a guy (actually he's in Texas right down the way from me) but he sources lenses from South Korea and always has 200 1.8's on eBay. Expect to pay $2,000-$4,000 for one. Or $35 a weekend if you can rent it! :)

Adam

[darkdrakon]

this lens has been out of production for several years hopefully Canon will come out with a usm and IS version (DROOL)

[picture-this]

"We don't need no stinkin' backgrounds!" Badgers Badgers ? What movie is this quote from? in the pariody movie UHF by weird Al they do a spin off of it, was funny but I never figured out what movie it actually came from. Nice lens man cheers.

[pcasciola]

Expect to pay $2,000-$4,000 for one. Or $35 a weekend if you can rent it!The days of $2,000 for a 200 f/1.8 are long gone. I've been following ebay for months hoping to score a deal on one, and lately the range is more like $3000 - $4500. There are also two versions of this lens, and the newer ones are always over $4000 unless they are beat up. But at $35 per weekend rental, you could rent it every other week for 4 years for the cost of buying one.

[Radtech1]

"We don't need no stinkin' backgrounds!" Badgers Badgers ? What movie is this quote from? in the pariody movie UHF by weird Al they do a spin off of it, was funny but I never figured out what movie it actually came from. Nice lens man cheers.

The Treasure of Sierra Madre (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040897/)

[CyberDyneSystems]

Picture this,

It all started with "The treasure of Sierra Madre" back in 1935

But I think most of us recall a scene in "Scarface"... which was a recent revivial,. "The Monkees" did it some time in between...

But ever since Scarface it seems to have become a standard part of our lexicon.

Right up there with,. "Are you taliking to me? I don't see anyone else here. Are you talking to me?" from Taxi Driver.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Doh! Radtech beat me to the draw!

The "Badgers" gag was in "UHF"

[Persian-Rice]

Ya pretty much, the onyl place you can find these is this guy in Korea who deals them. He has them on ebay usually. From what I know from those rich bastards on FM, he is probably one of the only reputable places you can get these. His prices are $3500+.

[Lesmac]

For those in the UK, there's one up on E-bay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4687&item=3871700612&rd=1
Can't say how reliable it is though.
But standing at around £770 with 8 hours to go
Les
http://lesmclean.photoblink.com/

[friscomgm]

bokeh on the sample shot is beyond ridiculous :-P

[IanD]

DROOL!

[karusel]

Well this is the boring shot of the dog in the back yard, tomorrow is when the real action happens, but the bokeh is oh so nice. You don't even have to try :)

http://www.golilm.com/images/200_1.8/zoe_200_1.8.jpg

The bokeh here is insane. Wow. Also, great sharpness and beautifully shallow DOF. One day this lense will be mine!

[pcasciola]

For those in the UK, there's one up on E-bay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4687&item=3871700612&rd=1
Can't say how reliable it is though.
But standing at around £770 with 8 hours to go
Les


Be careful there. That guy has a zero rating, that's why it's so cheap. Good chance it's a scam. The only way I buy equipment from sellers with ratings less than 30-40 is if I can pick up the item in person.

Like Persian Rice said, the only reputable seller is cham_camera on ebay from South Korea. I emailed him asking about how he gets so many of these 200 f/1.8s, and he said it's a very popular wedding photography lens over there in South Korea. He has been selling about 1-2 a week for at least the last 4-5 months that I've been looking and everyone gives him good feedback. At least half of the one's he sells barely have a nick on them other than the base of the collar, and some don't even have that.

[Adam Hicks]

Persian my point is that the guy in 'South Korea' is actually here in North Texas. I won't mention the specific city, but he's not far from me at all. He sources the lenses from South Korea where they are VERY popular for wedding photography. I found this out the other day from a friend of his. Now if I can just get a hook up.

But then again, who cares if it's $25,000 if I can rent it for $35 on the few weekends I need it.

[Patrick 10D]

Cripes. The lens HOOD for that piece of L glass costs $500 USD! :-o

[BearSummer]

Yep the lens is wonderful, I spent around two years looking for one, found one after a year that they wanted top dollar for but had been seriously used. Eventually got one from focus on photography last year at the NEC. So much for not spending any money there, lol. I am just glad that i no longer want the 50mm f1.0, now they rearly are hens teeth, I dont think I've ever seen one on the second hand market.

Best regards

BearSummer

[HKFEVER]

Persian my point is that the guy in 'South Korea' is actually here in North Texas. I.

Anyway to have the Korean's contact detail?;) Or can ask he to call or email me.

[GenEOS]

Adam, You renting from Light Tec ?

[BearSummer]

Just as an FYI, that lens on ebay just went for £1421, which is an amazing price if the lens is legit.

all the best

BearSummer

[HKFEVER]

Just as an FYI, that lens on ebay just went for £1421, which is an amazing price if the lens is legit.

all the best

BearSummer

1421 POCKET CHANGE, hope this is legit.

[Mills]

Well this is the boring shot of the dog in the back yard, tomorrow is when the real action happens, but the bokeh is oh so nice. You don't even have to try :)

http://www.golilm.com/images/200_1.8/zoe_200_1.8.jpg

Uh Oh......Maybe a trip to the B&H website is in order. But no..still another great lens replaced. No wonder why ebay is so huge. :confused:

[HKFEVER]

Uh Oh......Maybe a trip to the B&H website is in order. :confused:

What do you mean?

[BearSummer]

1421 POCKET CHANGE, hope this is legit.

Not sure that you understood me HKfever, what I meant was that it was an amazinglt "low" price for the lens. I guess that was caused by the seller not having any feedback at this time.

BearSummer

[HKFEVER]

Not sure that you understood me HKfever, what I meant was that it was an amazinglt "low" price for the lens. I guess that was caused by the seller not having any feedback at this time.

BearSummer

That pice is unreal, I will pay more to get one, if the sell call me. And i will personally go to UK to pick it up ASAP.

[Mills]

What do you mean?

Clicked post before I finished. Seems so many great lenses have been improved on. Then you begin to learn about how great the originals actually were.

[pierrot]

British auction ended at £1,421. Nice price.
Today a guy is very happy (or a total idiot) :mrgreen:

[CyberDyneSystems]

I'm sure it's a scam on that one,
Payment type: Cash or Bank wire transfer?

..the text is a cut and paste from one of Cham Cameras auctions,. (which is in Pusan South Korea by the way, the Texas guy is another seller,. he hasn't had one up for some time)
He couldn't even be bothered to write his own auction description and the images were hijaaked too.,.

[BearSummer]

I just hope the winning bidder can pick it up, otherwise i think someones going to be very unhappy.

Buyer Beware

BearSummer

[Adam Hicks]

Well for the rental question, yes, Lightec (light tec, light tech - however it's spelled!)

I just shot the rodeo and man did i *need* that lens. It's not so much for the bokeh in these situations, but it just opened up a new world in such low light. I shot everything at ISO800 around 1/250-1/320 at f1.8 and for a wide open lens the thing does a fantastic job. I got some shots that I would have not gotten with an f2.8 (in my opinion)

I'll post some links on tomorrow after I've had a chance to shoot a few to my site and see what you guys think.

At least now I know that I can satisfy my craving for this lens at only $35 a weekend. What a deal! Now to try out that 600mm f4 at the next IRL race at $60 a weekend :)

Adam

[Lesmac]

Again for UK folk, I notice in this weeks Amateur Photographer, in the 'Cameras for Sale' section, a guy in London is selling this lens for £1950, alongwith a 1DS body.
Looks legit?

Les
http://lesmclean.photoblink.com/

[Adam Hicks]

This isn't anything amazine quality-wise, but I couldn't believe how high 1,000lbs of animal could get!

http://fotop.net/adam12hicks/Rodeo/superhigh_portrait?full=1

[RockOne]

Impressive photo. Sure looks like one powerful animal, and I'm sure it'd be better taking photos of it, than riding it :-).

[CyberDyneSystems]

Wow,.... :shock:

[Buttkicker]

That 200 1.8 that sold for £1421 - I emailed the seller asking if I could pick it up in person and pay cash If I was the winning bidder, I got no response
There is no way I would part with that amount of money with no feedback, I believe this sale is another scam, as 2 others (1.8s) have also been the subject of scams in recent months

so I would suggest that people be very wary of sales of this Lens with zero feedback

[BearSummer]

New purchases pending :)

Love it, accurately describes 90% of the forumites

BearSummer

[Biko]

That 200 1.8 that sold for £1421 - I emailed the seller asking if I could pick it up in person and pay cash If I was the winning bidder, I got no response
There is no way I would part with that amount of money with no feedback, I believe this sale is another scam, as 2 others (1.8s) have also been the subject of scams in recent months

so I would suggest that people be very wary of sales of this Lens with zero feedback

Its been removed by Ebay

[ron chappel]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4687&item=3873633671&rd=1

Here's one in australia right now.I haven't had time to do any checking on the seller at all yet.The pictures look genuine though