see also:

• Canon EF 200mm f/1.8L lens
• Canon EF 200mm f/2L lens
• Canon EF lenses

• Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II released in 1996 to update the version I lens and replaced the built-in hood with a snap on hood but otherwise they are similar lenses
• a favourite amongst astrophotographers on APS-C cameras
• mark II is overdue for a replacement to address lack of weathersealing, no rounded aperture blades, and is less sharp than a 70-200mm zoom but at least it is less than half the price and weight
• 1/7th the price of the Canon EF 200mm f/2L lens and much more compact and light

• 200mm f/2.8 full frame
• 8 non-rounded blades
• 9 elements in 2 groups inc. 2x UD elements
• 72mm filter
• internal focus with rear focusing to correct aberrations
• close focus 1.5m giving 1:5 magnification
• USM AF
• 83 x 136 mm
• 765 g
• lens hood
• not weathersealed

• Photozone.de
  • 0.76% pincushion distortion
  • 0.9EV vignetting
  • sharp wide open but sharpest at f/5.6
  • minimal lat CA of 0.5px
  • nice bokeh although a tad nervous at critical focus transition zones and out-of-focus circles become cat's eyes in corners due to vignetting
  • medium long. CA
• http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/161
  • sharper and with less distortion than the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L lenses
• DxO Mark
• LensTip
  • excellent coma - this is why astrophotographers love it!
  • mild astigmatism 7.6%
  • not quite as sharp as the Canon EF 70-200 mm f/2.8L IS USM II but much lighter, smaller, cheaper and better vignetting, flare and slightly better CA and distortion
  • bokeh can be nervous at transition zones and can give cat's eye oval shapes