I am looking for information on the EF 50-200mm f3.5-4.5 L zoom. Does it have internal focus, or does the lens barrel rotate? Type of focusing motor? Does it have the auto/manual focus switch on the lens barrel? I would also like know the opinions of users as to the preformance, contrast, usability etc...

Any responses will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Steve Allen

-- Steve Allen (really) (sallen@madriver.com), February 01, 1999

Answers

Well, first, they haven't been made for many years now. They do show up used form time to time.

It has an AFD (arc form drive) motor, not USM, so it isn't silent and it doesn't have full time manual focus. It does have an MF/AF switch on the barrel like all the older lenses. It takes 58mm filters.

It's reported to be a good performer, better than the non-L consumer lenses of similar focal length. The closest parallel in current lenses is probably the 100-300/5.6L.

That's about all the info I have on it.

-- Bob Atkins (bobatkins@hotmail.com), February 02, 1999.