| Year | 1981 |
| Lens Groups | 6 |
| Lens Element | 9 |
| Aperature Blades | 8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/32 |
| Closest Focusing | 0.58 m |
| Max. Magnifcation | 1:1 (1.x) |
| Filter Size | 58 mm |
| Diameter x Length | 68.8 x 182.4 mm |
| Weight | 830 gr (1.83 lb) |
| Hood | - |
Incredibly sharp 1:1 macro lens. It serves as a very nice telephoto lens too with its relatively fast f4. Built in lens hood is very convenient and it comes with the tripod mount which is easily attached or detached (something that Canon does not always do with EF or R lenses). I have primarily shot professional slide film with this lens with either the T90 or New F-1 and there is no vignetting at 1:1. There was no vignetting when used with my Canon 7Dii and the Canon FD-EOS macro adapter. It is one of my favorite FD lenses, the other being the nFD 20mm f2.8. This is an expensive used lens, but still cheaper than an equivalent modern macro lens. I found that it performs much better with the Canon adapter for digital than an aftermarket one. That said, it will perform well with any glassless adapter for macro work.
This is a great lens that is on par or slightly sharper than the 80-200 F4L with a true macro capability.
It is razor sharp, at F4 but with heavy CA on the high contrast areas as typical. Stopped down to F5.6 it is greatly reduced but is still present. It is great compared to other macro lenses in the FD series because it does not require an extention tube to work at 1:1. It is also built very well, and you can feel it too. It is very heavy and because of that they have a nice compact tripod foot.
However, despite how great this lens is optically, it does suffer from vignetteing when at 1:1 or close to 1:1 focus. The helicoid focus also brings the problem of focus breathing for video use. Also it is very expensive, even on ebay as they can be easily found for around or over 300 USD. Some examples can be bought a little less. I got mine in a Japanese used camera store in Kyoto for precisely 25000 JPY, or around 240 USD.
This is a great macro and convention lens, but it is heavy and usually expensive. Vignetting and CA can turn off some people as well, but stopped down performance improves greatly.
Sample pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/99033028@N04/sets/72157635015221034/
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.605091119531876.1073741873.352915654749425&type=3
Excellent sharpness and micro-contrast; wonderful colour. Its image quality is on par with my EF 70-200 f/4 IS, but the latter does not focus any closer than 1.2 m (i.e. no real macro capabilities). By the way I'm planning a mini comparison between the two.
I found focusing ring to be really well designed: you can swiftly focus between 1.5 m and infinity with 1/4 turn, when you use this lens as a standard 200 mm tele and with a 1 1/4 turn between 1.5 and .6 m for accurate focusing when in macro mode.
The construction is all metal and very well built, including the "embedded" hood.
The only thing I really miss, in comarison to the EF 70-200, is the image stabilization, but of course, this is not something I can complain about. I just need to purchase a monopod.
Another great professional Canon FD Lens!
The 200mm is an awesome Lens. It will show you finest details. Great for shooting Insects.
I use the Lens with the Canon Macrolite ML-1 in combination with other Flashes. Results are
fantastic. Very nice Bokeh !
You should use a good Tripod. But the lens is build with a rotating, solid Tripod Collar.
And the Lens focuses down to life-size without extension tube, so only one stop of light loss between Infinity--1/1 . Really a great FD Lens!
Horst Franke