Does anyone shoot weddings with the Canon 200 1.8? I read some articles online and people were saying how wonderful they are? Anyone here have an opinion? Minimum focal distance of 8'???

It's a KILLER lens, but also killer heavy. I almost pulled the trigger on it last year, but the deciding factor for me to not do it was that the Canon never made a IS version. The lens is so heavy that in low light you'd have to shoot it at a minimum of 1/250th if not faster. For that, you could have the same amount of light with a regular 70-200 f2.8 stablized.

Rumor has it that Canon might be bringing back this lens at some point this year with an IS version. If they do, I might just have to go for it. It's a very sweet piece of glass!

I've used it, but not for weddings. Way to big and heavy, and the price, double that of the original MSRP and Canon no longer services it.

Theres rumors of a 200f/2 IS, shich would be killer, but don't hold your breath.


I'd consider a 300 2.8 for the reach if you were stuck in the back, but thats another that needs a monopod atleast in dim light

We shoot often with the Canon 200 1.8 and absolutely love it! On a monopod, from a corner of the room, you can get stunning results of people interacting and being emotional. Also, it's awesome shooting from the back of a church etc.

I've only shot sports with it. Definitely put it on a monopod. It's probably the sharpest Canon lens in their entire lineup, and the AF is like greased lightning.

Hell i shoot nikon and with a quote about it like that I want one! Lol.

it's a SWEET piece of glass, but with that said i havent pulled the trigger for the same reason as chris. without the IS the lens looses some of it's practicality for us in the wedding industry. for outside portraits the lens is second to none, but if you are using it in a PJ manner indoors you have to have such a fast shutter speed that you might as well just shoot with the 70-200 IS.

if they came out with a version with IS i think it'd be at the top of all of our wish lists!

+1!!

It's funny I heard a Canon rep say that when they made the lens it wasn't all that popular so they stopped making it, and then once they stopped it everyone's asking when they'll bring it back! I've heard from reputable sources that at some point this year it might make a return in IS form. I'll have to start savin!

That would be so cool. We regurlarly use the 300 2.8 and wouldn't trade for it. I often have a dedicated shooter using it picking off details throughout the day (well...not at the reception). It's killer for getting ring shots and the like from the balcony.

Cheers!
michael

That's cool Michael!

I don't know many wedding shooters who use a 300! Do you find it being a bit heavy or tough to drag from location to location?