Canon L Lenses

The Canon 200L f2.8 was my first 'professional' lens and I love it. It is relatively lightweight, discreet and black and produces the most amazing image quality. I bought it second-hand on eBay from a local photographer so I was able to go and check it out before buying. It is of course, a prime lens and so whilst I loved the quality, initially I did also miss the flexibility of a zoom. I had previously, briefly, owned a Canon 70-300 zoom but I quickly sold that on as I was not happy with the quality. I also owned a Sigma 170-500mm which was also then sold. Once I had discovered the quality of Canon's L lens that was it and I knew I wouldn't be happy with anything less. I subsequently bought a used 300L f4 which is another great lens and a 1.4 XII Extender which gave a bit more flexibility up to the equivalent of around 420mm.

I did still miss a zoom though, so six months or so later, I acquired a used Canon 70-200L f2.8 lens at a good price with the intention of selling the 200mm prime. The Canon 1.4 XII Extender worked well on the 200 and so I reasoned that with the zoom, and allowing for the crop factor, I could happily achieve the equivalent of around 100-300mm. Trouble is, the zoom is a lot bigger and much heavier - as I prefer to handhold wherever possible, this was going to need support.

Whilst it is a great lens for quick focusing for sports or for use in a hide, I find I actually do prefer to use the prime lens and 'zoom with my feet' when I am out doing nature photography.The quality of images taken with each of these lenses is excellent but I do believe that the prime produces superior results and that the colours are warmer.

Trouble is, I still needed something longer for birds and hide work, as well as for sports so I considered the 100-400L lens which seemed to be rated quite highly. My reasoning was, that if I was going to carry a heavy zoom it might as well give me greater distance so if I sold the 70-200mm and 300mm I could then keep the 200mm.

I did buy the 100-400L but after a week of using it, returned it for a refund. Firstly, I just could not get on with the telescopic push-pull of the zoom - it was just so cumbersome and I kept missing my shots as it seemed slower to focus although it was very much more flexible. Secondly, it was really heavy, much more so than I expected and therefore made hand-holding unrealistic. The deciding factor however was when I did some, admittedly unscientific, testing in my garden comparing the results from the 200L, the 70-200L and the 100-400L, with and without the 1.4 XII Extender. Images from the 100-400 were undoubtedly softer so I packed it up and took it back. Instead, I bought a Canon X2 Mark II Extender, to replace my old Mark I, deciding to keep the two primes as well as the 70-200mm to use with or without the extenders for now and ultimately look at buying the 400L f5.6 prime lens in the future.

I am confident using both the 200 and 300 - they both perform well and have never failed to produce the desired results. I love the bokeh each can produce, especially when used with the extenders. I also enjoy using the 70-200, albeit for different reasons and different purposes. I may look at changing that in the future but for now, I am happy.